Civic Duty

This may seem like a trivial thing to some, but for me it is very important.  I have utter disdain for arrogant people.  For many people when they deem someone arrogant it is only in an extreme case when he/she acts like a pompous jerk, but for me arrogance is demonstrated in more subtle ways.  Others would agree with me that when someone from a rich background openly displays their wealth with every piece of flashy clothing or the finest diamond jewels can really grind my gears.  Also they can be verbally demeaning to people of “lower” classes without even knowing it.  One example is of someone I knew who went to Latin.  Because she was Hispanic the other students immediately asked her in a rather friendly tone: How much scholarship money are you getting? 

            Even more subtle than was previously mentioned is when a person displays his/her egocentricity by just talking too much about his/herself.  It may not be bothersome for some to hear about every academic honor a person has achieved and every prestigious college he/she has been accepted too every day in class, but it certainly irks me.  However, it is not because the subject matter is annoying, it is that the person who speaks does not realize how self-centered she comes across to everyone else.  I know self- confidence is important, but there is too much self-confidence.  When one has the audacity to enter any random conversation in a group of people that they barely know that is a perfect example.  People who overstay their welcome at a gathering can be very bothersome as well.  (You can only tell that joke so many times.  Trust me you’re not that interesting. 

            Why is a bit more humility important in our society?  Well if we come to terms and realize that we are not the impeccable creatures that we think we are, we can create a more positive perception of ourselves and we can learn to treat everyone as our equals.  In my opinion simple arrogance is the root of all racism and I think we all can agree that racism is bad.  Hopefully if we limit egotism, we can ameliorate tensions of different races and social classes.  It obviously won’t be easy, but it starts with a little self-reflection.