Victims

Y'know, my grandfather (who was prejudiced, and somewhat a bigot), always said that the welfare system and the fact that people told black people that they were victims and they didn't have to strive that came about in the '60's would destroy the black race and culture in the United States.

The older and more experienced I get, the smarter he appears to be.

And here, we have the same observation. The same observation that it is culture, not race ,that holds people back. That the culture of victimhood does more to keep people at a level, rather than any other factor.

My grandfather wasn't born rich, or successful. He didn't die that way either. But all the time that I knew him he was comfortable. He owned a house, in a good neighborhood, and he didn't lack for most things...Cars, equipment, etc. If he wanted something, or wanted to take a vaction or a trip for fun, he could do so, as long as it wasn't too extravagant. He was, in my opinion, the embodiment of the American Dream..... But he instilled in my Father and in me the belief that if you weren't lazy and didn't make stupid decisions that you could succeed and thrive in the United States. If not get rich, you could live a good, comfortable existence and you could live well, but you had to work at it, and overcome obstacles and keep trying.

He was right when he told me that, and he is right today, 50+ years later.

People find their own level. If we tell them that they cannot succeed, a significant portion won't even try....especially when we make their life comfortable enough that they have no incentive to do so.