The Blogger SAT Challenge

Washington's comment about measuring success in terms of overcoming obstacles rather than by the final position one achieves is commendable, to an extent. It reflects a view of success which is holistic, incorporating an individual's character and circumstances into the evaluation, rather than merely the end results.

In contrast to a view which might be termed utilitarian (where the ends justify the means), Washington's view recognizes that means are just as important. The problem with this idea, and the idea of measuring success in general, is determining a norm or standard by which to compare overcoming obstacles (or indeed, achieving end results).

What does it mean to 'overcome' obstacles? In Washington's terms, speaking as a black man confronting prejudice, it is challenging the status quo that unfairly keeps certain members of society down. Yet is it fair to measure everyone by this standard?

Given someone with societal disadvantages (whether they be poverty, minority status, disability, etc.), ought we to measure their success by overcoming those obstacles, or by achieving the end results which they set for themselves?

Washington's statement, though it uses the term 'success', is really a gloss on 'self-improvement.' In the American mythos, both are paired together--to rise to one's highest level of self-potential is to achieve. Witness the number of get-rich quick schemes that have always been with us, and now plague daytime TV. These snakeoil salesmen prey upon the sense of impaired self-worth that listeners and viewers have.

Believing that success is due to one, and that it arrives by following a set of instructions to unleash one's 'inner potential' is at the core of many uniquely American movements (L. Ron Hubbard's Dianetics books come to mind).

Washington is turning this upon its head. One develops a successful self not by gaining riches or achieving a specific level in society, but through the struggle to achieve. Throughout the struggle, one might find that the goal of 'success' radically shifts, even if you do reach your desired position, as Washington found.

Show the score given by the expert grader

Rate another random entry