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"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger," or so the old adage goes. Some may think on this and cringe with a most unwelcome reminder of painful memories. And some may look back upon these memories as medals of honor;e.g.,time served and freedom granted. But how do we measure success? Is it an admission letter to Harvard School of Law after years of preparatory studies at prestigious boarding schools, or is it the minority who defeats the odds of ghetto life: violence, poverty, drug abuse, malnutrition, low self esteem, abandonment, etc..by joining the military; risking his life for the chance at a real education and an occupation to support himself? The upward mobility of the minority in this case is met through a sort of human sacrifice, and it is by this sacrifice, we Americans claim our glory.
To believe we are all created equal and given equal opportunity is the great American myth. It's the Capitalist's myth and the immigrants niavete. But this myth, unlike myth as metaphor, is a lie.
The latest trend in American medicine is the building of separate wings for 'higher' care, or literally 'better care' for those who can pay the cash. Hospitals are now segregated institutions offering first class accomodations equipped with gourmet chefs, private nursing, luxury suites, and sterling silver. No longer must the elite suffer the inconvenience of commingling with proletariats in the hospital setting. Soon, they will have their own private entrances to avoid any such notions such as guilt or pity. After all, they're worth it. They pay their bills in full.
Meanwhile, down in the Emergency Departments, the masses wait their turn to be seen. And for those with good insurance, treatment will be provided as algorithms dictate; but for those without insurance, treatment is judiciously cost effective, and according to income.
And this is the metaphor upon which our lives are based. We are not given equal opportunity to live our lives to the fullest. Access to better medical care is but one drop in the bucket of inequality. All one needs to do is pay a visit to any large urban community school district in our nations ghettos, to catch a glimpse of how poorly the lower classes are educated. The ambience is depressing and frightening. Personally, my disposition is too sensitive for survival in such psychogeography. For those who overcome these obstacles and emerge triumphant is quite the achievement. They may not receive their admission letter to Harvard, but if they had, it wouldn't be quite the same measure of success. Or wouldn't it be greater?
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