First of all, I am not saying what you may think I’m saying. This has nothing to with our political system and how we handle the problem of poverty and inequity. What I’m thinking about is a culture where constructive criticism and honest competition are seen as destructive, and where telling the truth, even in a gracious way, is unacceptable.
Let me make a disclaimer. The video below has a four-letter word in it that I don’t condone. (The “s” word.) I don’t use it, and I hope its use in this context won’t offend you. (Please don’t watch the video if you know it will.)
What I love about this video, however, is the way Brandon Marsalis speaks the brutal truth about the way we coddle each other, instead of challenging one another to excel. (This speaks powerfully to me, since I am pathologically positive.) He wants us to be honest with the naked emperor, which can be both dangerous and lonely.
If you’re okay with it, take a look at the video and let me know what you think…
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Wow…who knew Branford was such a spot on analysist of our culture? Now it has me thinking what I am doing, or have done, to foster this sense of entitlement in my own kids. Hmmm…amny things to ponder. Thanks for posting thsi Chris!
Branford Marsalis got it right. The work ethic on campus, for the vast majority (not all), is pretty weak. The hunger to learn, to push hard, to challenge one’s intellectual boundaries … seems low to me. And I’m around college students more than most people, so I think my opinion counts. Marsalis says it well.
Yeah…I’m noticing the same thing, though my evidence is more anecdotal than anything. If anyone should know, it’s you, Dan. And Heather, I’m asking the same question….am I perpetuating this attitude with my kids? I’ll bet I am…