THURSDAY THOUGHTS: QUALIFIED?

 

I just watched an episode of "Yes Minister" on PBS station, WETA-UK. 

How ironic it was, in light of recent events. 

Apparently there weren't enough qualified women in senior civil service positions in that fictional world, either.

Many people watch the lives of others with great interest, and apply what they've observed to their own. 

What they see can either inspire, or discourage them.

 

I've heard so many women say of Halle Berry: 

"If SHE gets cheated on, what hope is there for me?" 

Women saw what happened to the woman they assumed every man--including their own--should desire. She has it all, doesn't she? 

Nevertheless, she too experienced rejection.

Another woman has been in the spotlight lately, and she also appears to have it all. 

She, too, seemed to be one who could write her own ticket, or be easily swept into any important leadership position. 

Unfortunately, people who couldn't hold a candle to her in terms of education, service, or credentials, blocked her path. 

I hope no young woman is considering putting the brakes on her educational/ professional hopes, dreams, or ambition because they witnessed the pitiful way Susan Rice was treated by Congress. 

There's a standard, and there's an assumption--an expectation even--when someone reaches a pinnacle in their academic and professional life, that they would be given a certain amount of consideration, respect, and even favor.  

It would seem that Susan Rice has done all the right things a Black child is often told one MUST to do: 

be twice as good, 

study and work twice as hard, 

mind your manners,

and stay out of trouble.

 

Since when is putting forward the best and the brightest a bad thing? 

Why is stupidity applauded while intelligence inspires skepticism?

What is this aversion to excellence?

As I watched, I was reminded of a Tonight Show segment where Jay Leno asks questions of people on the street, and they prove to know more about popular culture than Mathematics, Science, or History.

 

If I hear one more person brag about American exceptionalism, I might scream.