|
|
Downward Mobility/ The Essential |
“Upward mobility can be a real good, or a god.”
I feel like this is a most important statement from the article “Upward Mobility.” The idea of trying to ‘move up’ in the world is not necessarily as negative as this article portrays it. Moving up allows people to support their families and be educated. With education, we may be able to solve some of society’s biggest problems; the issues of fair trade, a cure for cancer, or the latest breakthrough in medical technology. There is no shame in wanting a better life to help make yourself more useful to society as a whole. The issue in wanting a better life is when you sacrifice others. You begin to put possessions and money above caring for others and building healthy, loving relationships. This is when upward mobility becomes a god or something with idol; in summary, a major issue.
“I used to be shy. You made me sing. I used to refuse things at table. Now I shout for more wine.”
I feel this line really encompasses a lot of the students in our class who have been able to take action in their weekly tasks. We began this semester with a class where not many students were even aware of the definition of Fair Trade and now more than half way through there is consistent selling at the cart of a daily basis and students around campus are even beginning to gather some insight on Fair Trade. Just a few weeks ago, I put on a program in my building for Fair Trade Month and provided sample of Fair Trade chocolate. A lot of students commented “oh that’s the cart that’s always in Hughes and those students are in a class.” I have to say that it is a pleasure being part of such a wonderful group of students who have really taken initiative and shown they are truly passionate about fulfilling the Jesuit mission of being men and women for others.
« The Story of StuffDownward Mobility »
More blog posts in this category Common
Subscribe to RSS-Feed
Visitors
Board Statistics
