Your Greatest Oppressor

Victim mentality is a modern-day epidemic. It seems like almost everybody wants to be a victim of some type of oppression, based on their circumstances, identity, or both.

Millions of people now wear their victim status as a badge of honour. Every day, they attempt to outcompete one another in the Oppression Olympics.

This behaviour would baffle our ancestors. They had it rough.

When victimhood is incentivised, more people adopt these beliefs and behaviours. To be clear, when I speak of 'victimhood' here, I am referring to the mindset, rather than being on the receiving end of something heinous.

Have you noticed that the word ‘privilege’ is now wielded as a weapon? Instead of being seen as something positive, privilege is treated as a sin that must be constantly acknowledged and atoned for.

It is easy to make an argument that every person or demographic is or has been a victim. Some more than others. We can all lay claim to some sweet victimology points.

But... is it helpful or empowering?

Here's the reality. Nobody is oppressing you as much as you are oppressing yourself.

You are your own greatest oppressor. Day after day.

In the absence of major institutional barriers, hostile discrimination, and widespread intolerance, people are opting to create their own limitations. This guarantees they will become victims of their own making.

You can choose to wallow in a prison of self-inflicted victimhood. But realise those bars are of your own making.

There is no perfect system, and you can waste your whole life waiting for one.

Social barriers continue to decline with each generation. Opportunity abounds.

Instead of being permanently outraged because things are not perfect, let's be grateful for the time we are living in.

Take the boot off of your own neck. You've got this.