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Originally Posted by willravel
So because you were born 17 years before me you know how I'll become when I'm older? That's pretty weak. I've heard the same thing about my optimism since I was a boy. Not only do I show no signs of changing, but my optimism has improved as I've been able to develop more solutions to problems. As someone who works for a non-profit that aids the homeless and less fortunate, working with people who's age dwarfs your own, I can tell you that just because some people become bitter and give up hardly means I will.
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Firstly, I never said I
know how you'll be, but rather "I
think you'll find". Please don't put words in my mouth, it's a rather weak debate tactic, regardless of the topic; which leads me to my next point. I also never said I was bitter. I am not. I'm a realist. And while I support your optimism and idealism, I was attempting to inject a bit of reality into the discussion. That doesn't make mean I'm bitter.
Optimism and idealsim are generally fine traits to have. Many great achievers throughout history became such by having these traits in abundance (the aforementioned Dr. King is one such example).But, optimism and idealism must be tempered with realism for true greatness to be achieved. There have been many spectacular failures throughout history (Preston Tucker comes to mind) because of a lack of realistic expectations.
You claim to be a problem solver. That's also a good trait to have. And if success is to be achieved in an endeavor of such magnitude as total reformation of the American penal system, there are many problems which will need to be solved. Not the least of which is how to overcome people's innate selfishness and greed, not only on the idividual level, but also on the institutional level. Let's face facts here, you're talking about the changing of millions of mindsets. Literally, millions upon millions. Not only that of many (most?) of the prisoners themselves, but also that of many (most?) of the people who work within the penal system, as well as that of the judges and lawmakers who control the system, and finally that of the voters who put those people in office.
That's a monumental undertaking. Again, it is this nearly vertical uphill battle that is why I predict such a low probability of success.
Finally, in reference to Dr. King, what did he get for all his efforts? He got murdered, which goes to show just how far some people will go to protect their ways of thinking. And while much success was achieved and many laws changed, the fact of the matter is that there is STILL, 40 years later, plenty of racism in this country. So, while racism is slowly receeding in this country, and I reckon that Dr. King would consider his martyrdom to the cause worthwhile, this again goes to show what an difficult road lies in front of those who would change the system.
So, I'll leave you with this thought. If you are working in some way towards these laudable goals, I wish you much luck and success. Just don't expect to live long enough to see even half of these goals attained.