PLGRM

If someone is very good at their work and makes strides to improve their own position in the world, we often say they “pulled themselves up by their bootstraps.”

Especially in the modern West, we tend to value hard work and ingenuity. We like people who are self-reliant. It’s the (particularly American) myth we revere. The “pioneer,” the “explorer.” These are our ideals.

But my question is: “Who made the boots?”

It’s one thing to celebrate an individual’s effort – and we should – but it’s an entirely different thing to ignore that we are only capable of being individuals because we exist in community.

The dance between these two poles – individuality and community – defines a lot of our lives

*Did you know the original meaning of “pull themselves up by their bootstraps” was meant to be sarcastic?