How The Glorification Of Struggle Is Both A Symptom And Cause Of Financial Trauma
How The Glorification Of Struggle Is Both A Symptom And Cause Of Financial Trauma
Addressing the "Got It Out The Mud" Mindset Rahkim Sabree Mar 17
Recently I was asked for feedback on the ‘got it out the mud’ mindset and how that ties into financial trauma.
See nepotism: - nep·o·tism - the practice among those with power or influence of favoring relatives, friends, or associates, especially by giving them jobs.
Somehow the devaluing of credibility, experience, and expertise of others is easier when we know that they had help. We hear the stories of those who received a loan, an inheritance, or were put in a position to be successful via education or some role at a company.
My story is not unique. The odds in so many instances have been statistically against me.
I’m the product of two teenage parents
I grew up experiencing poverty
My parents didn’t have a college education
I was less than one degree of separation from gang violence
So when *I* discuss poverty and overcoming, I’m telling the story of my life not to glorify it, but to demonstrate what’s possible for someone to beat those odds. But my success is also tied into a lot of sacrifice, pain, sometimes resentment, and a pressure to perform for myself, my family, and my greater community at large. It’s also the result of an intangible or spiritual form of nepotism where relatives, friends, associates, teachers, coaches, etc. have breathed life into me, my potential, and my dreams.
Although I may joke with a line from the famous Drake song “I started from the bottom now I’m here,” there never truly was a bottom for me to start from as I stand on the shoulders of those who sacrificed and came before me. I don’t believe anyone is truly self made, some just apply what is it they were given in different ways.
Status Does Not Equal Wealth
When we look at this fascination with achieving status we tend to automatically assume that someone is doing well financially. They make an effort to be seen—in designer, in the foreign cars, on vacation to exotic locations, drinking expensive alcohol, etc. The portrayal of success via these elaborate demonstrations become exponentially more impressive when tied into this narrative of having started from nothing or ‘getting it out of the mud’, which can entice onlookers to wonder what did they do to get all of that?
It feeds a fantasy lifestyle that also makes those onlookers prime targets for being taken advantage of through the lifestyle marketing into doing whatever needs to be done to make that fantasy a reality.
Behind the scenes however, that status may not be tied into real wealth—that is, wealth already present. The wealth comes from those who will willingly hand over their own money to fund these lavish lifestyles in an attempt to emulate or achieve them for themselves.
The Nepotism Baby
Curiously, those who didn’t necessarily start from the bottom are met with a sort of disdain. They are deemed “unrelatable” and terms like “trust fund baby” or “born with a silver spoon” are used as insults rather than celebratory feats.
To continue reading, please go to the original article here: