Intrinsic Human Values

To the Editor:

Recently, in the second best newspaper, WSJ (we know which is best) I found inspiration for this letter. That WSJ nugget deserves expansion. In today’s political correct society there is a bias away from specific recognition in favor of collective recognition. Whether it’s doing away with individual youth awards in favor of team “participation” awards or emphasis on universal outcomes instead of universal opportunities, the trend marches on.

There is a mistaken parallel that “intrinsic human values” are identical to “one size recognition fits all.” That process stifles the individual quest to excel. This lack of individual recognition extends from childhood to adulthood. All humans have a wonderful intrinsic value but not all humans have equal strengths and weaknesses. Some achieve success effortlessly, some don’t. Some are smarter, bigger, stronger and quicker to understand and some are not. That doesn’t change their Godgiven intrinsic value. It does change their abilities at birth and through nurturing. It just does. Some are required to strive harder to achieve and should be cheered in doing so. It is the “pursuit of happiness” enshrined in the Constitution to which we all aspire regardless of individual traits and talents.

Recognize each other’s gifts and encourage everyone to be the best they can be without loosing sign of individual performance.

Jim Howse

La Grange