Our society has devolved into a culture where embracing a victim mentality is not just accepted, it’s promoted. The ultra-charged victim mindset has infiltrated into college campuses, the mainstream media, and everyday activities. Victimhood is now a badge of honor instead of an obstacle to success.
Trudging through scapegoat stereotypes and breaking victimhood barriers is something one man has done well, much to the chagrin of many in the Democratic Party.
Dr. Ben Carson, a retired neurosurgeon, and increasingly controversial politician has shown a fortitude for ascension despite a world that offered every excuse for failure.
Long before his professional achievements, Dr. Carson had to first survive childhood traumas, poverty, racism, and a victimhood ideology subjecting him to stereotypical defeat.
Even with all of these cards stacked against him, Dr. Carson has shown the potential of the American dream.
Carson is no stranger of criticism from the left. If his views on taxes, healthcare, and poverty mentality were not enough to unhinge progressives, his continued support of President Trump has only spurred their distaste. He is the current Housing and Urban Development Secretary, but Carson recently announced his plans to return to the private sector and continue his influence thereafter.
While the media swooned at Michael Cohen’s recent allegations that President Trump is racist, Dr. Carson opposing position did not receive as welcomed attention. During an interview with Newsmax’ White House correspondent John Gizzi, Carson was asked about Cohen’s criticism.
“I’ve never seen anything that even remotely would remind me of racists, and believe me, I recognize a racist when I see them,” he concluded.
While the media was swift to push Cohen’s narratives, Dr. Carson’s remarks were seemingly brushed off as meager hearsay.
Dr. Carson’s story of growing up in poverty, and being raised by a single mother in Detroit, ultimately to achieve triumph does not adhere well to the modern agenda. He credits his victory mantra in part to his late mother, Sonya, who married at 13 and only received a third-grade education.
“[My mother] understood how success was achieved in our society,” Carson wrote in tribute.
“If anyone had a reason to make excuses, it was her, but she refused to be a victim and would not permit us to develop the victim mentality either.”
After witnessing successful families’ regimens during her time working as a domestic, Sonya Carson insisted her two sons write book reports each week and pushed the importance of education. Even though she herself was illiterate, Sonya persisted to instill the importance of working hard and enduring through life’s adversities to her sons.
Modern society hands out “victim cards” to divide and conquer the masses, leading to a continuing slide of excuses. Carson’s example, on the other hand, has the potential to combat the repressive tidal wave of victimhood and reopen a dialogue of personal growth and responsibility.
He went from the inner-city streets of Detroit to one of the most respected doctors in the field of neurosurgery. He went from being known as one of the dumbest kids in the fifth grade, to director of pediatric neurosurgery at one of the most prestigious hospitals in the United States. He went from facing racist taunts due to being a minority African American student to becoming a leading example that a prosperous life is possible, regardless of what color a person is.
Whoever sculpts the language owns the argument. The victimhood culture aggressors have taken to manipulating the ignorant in the tune of social justice. Mental fragility has become the norm and demand for trigger warnings is on the rise. Safe spaces are ever growing. Success stories are demonized while victim narratives are glorified as a symbol of martyrdom.
Dr. Ben Carson is just one prime example of a person who had the early and enduring influence of a determined parent who understood the importance of instilling the understanding of personal responsibility and fortitude in the face of challenge. Rather than succumbing to the temptation to avoid accountability or to persevere in the face of difficulties, Dr. Carson provides us an example of enduring hope if only we choose it.
If we do not succeed, we only have ourselves to blame.
“To think big and use our talents doesn’t mean we won’t have difficulties along the way. We will, we all do. How we view those problem determines how we end up. If we choose to see the substances in our path as barriers. We stop trying. “We can’t win,” we moan. “They won’t let us win.” However, if we choose to see the obstacles as hurdles, we can leap over them. Successful people don’t have fewer problems. They determined that nothing will stop them from going forward. Whatever direction we choose, if we can realize that every hurdle we jump strengthens and prepares us for the next one, we’re already on the way to success”. – Dr. Ben Carson
Dr. Carson was my first pick as President. I love that he loves God.