We cannot build a society that is completely meritocratic, as that would inevitably lead to an aristocracy too close to the edge of tyranny. Nor can meritocracy be eliminated, as I believe the a world of equality will only lead to a stagnation of creativity. It is the striation of ability/education/skill that pushes a culture forward into a more beautiful expression of society.
For clarity sake, when I speak of equality, I am speaking on the basis of opportunities, not rights… I believe we all should have equal rights, in the sense that we are created equal in our humanness and because of this we are to be treated in fairness and with justice. But the notion of meritocracy has, at its foundation, a dichotomy of equality — though we have equal rights, we do not have equal opportunity — for opportunity is born into, bred into, and educated into each individual on this earth.
Meritocracy - a ruling or influential class of educated or skilled people; Government or the holding of power by people selected on the basis of ability.
We cannot escape the reality we are born into, once our lungs fill with air and our cries ricochet against the bleached walls of the hospital room — we are labeled. You are the son of a truck driver, the daughter of an aristocrat, or a child of drunkard. We take on the history of our parents, genetic and socio-economic. Adoption is a disrupter in this scenario, as a child of an unwed urban mother, can be placed with a suburban Doctor and raised with a duality — brought up in much brighter surroundings than her biological mother could ever provide, but still carrying the genetic remnants of her parents… A history she cannot escape. It is inevitable, the influence of our guardians, the genetics of our parents, and even the placement of our education. The schools in which you were taught, the teachers who did or did not take time to help you learn, the coaches who encouraged your strengths and demanded you work on your weaknesses.
Though we are born into a label, being an American offers opportunity beyond our birthright. As Americans, we have a been given a gift in our social structure that allows us the opportunity to change, adapt, and overcome our genetic or socio-economic restraints… to a point. But, even with these opportunities, I’m wondering if we have focused too much on the exceptions to the rule, those that shattered the stereotypes and overcame adversity to accomplish something great? We laude those who find success after overcoming a troubled childhood, a meek upbringing, and a below average physicality… as heros and role models. We put them on a pedestal as examples to follow, a hidden curriculum which states you to can overcome anything and be what you want to be. Yet reality isn’t so kind, as the stark truth is they are but exceptions to the rule.
