Monday, December 6, 2010
Middle Class Aspirations
It might surprised some but I don't hold middle class aspirations. I don't aspire to the social rewards that society has laid out for those that follow the rules. Middle class aspirations are connected to the perpetuation of the privilege of American values. Sadly, these values seem to be above critique and collectively we steadily accepted the values as the common sense approach to life. However, I believe that there is more to life than the accumulation of worthless materials and self-depreciating commodities. Life should be rooted in seeking to create a sustainable way of life for all of humanity. This reality cannot be created as long as the inhabitants of the most privileged country on earth are continuously motivated by the allure of excess. So, no I do not aspire to the cleverly crafted American dream because I cannot in good conscience sleep peacefully when I know my dream is creating an endless nightmare for others.
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This is what so much of the plays of the Black Arts Movement, Nicholas, was saying. It suggests a redefinition of the American dream. Challenging our war economy. Why must the most profitable industry be based on destruction of other people? Cultures? Jesus asks us this. We have to do the work of antebellum abolitionists IN THIS TIME. This I think requires us personally lobbying the federal government. Lobbying other people. Spreading the Good News that life doesn't have to be like this. Life doesn't have to be making our dreams out of others' nightmares. It doesn't. This is what those who sat in the sixties believed. This is what we believe.
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