The myth that we are born equal

Yes, it's a myth. Before you start saying anything like "I can be anything I want," or "we are all born with rights," stop and read.

First, I am not saying that everyone doesn't deserve equal treatment or that people should not be given the chance to do whatever they want in life. What I am saying is that, in reality, when we are born, we are not the same as one another. Some people will dream of the NBA, but will be uncoordinated. Some people will dream of writing a novel, yet cannot write a decent story. Some people will grow up singing to the radio, wanting to be a musician but be unable to carry a tune.

We all have different strengths and weaknesses. We cannot be everything we want to be. We can have what success our genetics allow us, but at some point, you will reach a limitation on what you can do. So, no, we are not born as equals. But then why would we want that to begin with?

This idea that we should all be the same detracts from the spectacle of the truly talented. I've seen grade school virtuosos, teenage geniuses, and spectacular athletes. They amaze and inspire us all with what humanity has the potential to be. But if we were all like that, or worse, if we were all middlingly mediocre, what kind of world would we have?

We used to celebrate the victor. We used to revel in the win. Now, we teach children they are entitled to winning. That effort is more important than the result. That they can be whatever they chose to be, regardless of what the world says. And while there is value in the lesson that you can overcome and find some success, we much temper what we teach is possible. We have to stop giving everyone those lovely participation awards and go back to having winners and losers.

We need to make children understand that they are entitled to nothing, not even a chance. They need to make their way in life. Otherwise, we will be left with generations of children with no motivation but to maintain the status quo, with no fire in their heart to follow their passion, and without the desire for greatness, merely the acceptance of mediocrity.