Entitlement Argument

Djuana Price

Glenn Irwin

Communications ICM 10200

January 29, 2016

Entitlement

When I think of the word entitlement I think of a belief or perception of being able to reap benefits due to some sort of status.  People of different status seem to have an undeniable belief that is somehow ordained to have preference over life’s benefits. These status falls into many different categories which include rich, poor, young, old, black, white, male, or female. Entitlements have allowed the playing field to be extremely uneven in references to life and the pursuit of happiness.  We have come to forget the saying of “Treat others how you would like to be treated”.

 Although, there are individuals that are able to prosper, it is negligible in comparison to the majority.  Entitlements are also a two headed coin; the extremely poor believe that because they are poor and that help should always be afforded to them.  The extremely wealthy believe that wealth catapults them above all others and the rules do not apply to them.   For example; the criminal justice system has become a playground for the rich and famous to manipulate.  The consequences that they receive in comparison to your everyday “Joe” are a travesty.  The term “Affluenza” has allowed a justification for young wealthy individuals to escape the grasp of the criminal justice system.  A young man in Texas was driving drunk and killed several individual as result served no jail time because he was wealthy.  In addition, while on probation he was found on social media playing drinking games, which was a clear violation of his probation. As a result he fled the country and is now back in the United States were the state of Texas is considering placing him back into the Juvenile system.

On the other hand, there are individuals begging on street corners all throughout the country as you exit highways.  They feel that they do not need to work and you apparently can afford to spare a few dollars or some change as you are driving in a nice car to and from. It is true that we may not have been offered the same opportunities in life thus far, but there are resources put in place to assist.  I myself even encountered a young able bodied man outside of a convenience store one morning asking for if I could give him a dollar.  When I stated I didn’t have any money on me and was planning  on using my credit card the individual advised me that I could use the atm machine located inside.  Needless to say I advised him that I would not being so, but just to think how many individuals he had asked before and after me.  Again this was able bodied young man who felt he did not need to work but that he was entitled to get free money by begging.

The entitlement mentality has become so overwhelming in society today.  Being young, old, black, or white should not allow anyone specific privileges or benefits.  It is no excuse for unacceptable behavior or actions on the part of anyone.  Take the case of Rachel Dolezal, former president of the NAACP chapter in Spokane Washington, who went on to represent herself of being of African American race.  She sought out the benefits and privileges allowed to her through her false representation only to result in her own demise.  She was looked up to for her services not because of being a female or black, but because of her leadership.   I have experienced bad mannerism on behalf of a co-worker with the entitlement mentality of thinking since they have been employed with the company for a certain amount of years that they should be offered a promotion over another individual who works twice as hard.  Just because this person had been employed five years longer and was an older white gentleman did not make him the best candidate for the job.