Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is a psychological tool used to describe human motivation https://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html. 4 out of the 5 relate to the human desire to be connected, accepted, or recognized socially. In the current age of social media, the idea of becoming an elitist has transposed from our screens into our brains.
From Facebook posts to our television screens, becoming someone rich in financial resources and rubbing elbows with the 1% has replaced the American Dream. We are no longer striving for the picket fence with 2.5 kids, on the contrary, the world is becoming influenced to give their mind, body, soul, and talent to reach the highest financial attainment possible and become an elitist.
The question I have is, do we really know the truth about elitists?
What is an Elitist?
An elitist is considered to be someone with a net worth of at least $1 million in liquid assets. The IRS reported that 285,126 out of 304.1 million Americans earned an income of $1 million or more https://www.nysscpa.org/news/publications/the-trusted-professional/article/irs-filing-statistics-by-income-reveal-0.22-earned-1m-or-more-082724 and Forbes reported an estimated 902 billionaires in the U.S https://www.forbes.com/billionaires/.
When the general population think of elitists, they think of celebrities such as Rihanna, Jay-Z, Taylor Swift, Lebron James, Adam Sandler and other figures in the entertainment industry. What the majority don’t consider is that there are characters who are far more powerful both in stature and finances than the celebrity sphere. Characters who hire the aforementioned to entertain them while they reshape the global stage. These individuals are the true elitist.
Elitism
Being an elitist is not only about financial resources and status, it is also about the decision making power in the political and cultural realm. The practice of elitism is one that excludes the majority and yields all power to the minority considered to be of higher intelligence and importance https://sk.sagepub.com/ency/edvol/politics/chpt/elitism.
The Military Industrial Complex (MIC) is funded by multiple American defense and aerospace manufacturers such as Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, and the American aircraft design and manufacturer Boeing https://www.reachingcriticalwill.org/resources/fact-sheets/critical-issues/6738-military-industrial-complex. All of these companies enlist the help of politicians to gain defense contracts aiding in the ongoing forever wars that our sons and daughters fight in.
The idea of elitism is that all classes will be ruled by the elites as they have the power, money, and influence. What we know is that submitting power to a select few results in catastrophe such as the case with The Holocaust, slavery in all forms, Hurricane Katrina, the aftermath of the Palisades fire, the human trafficking involved with the Epstein files, and the current situation happening between Israel and Gaza.
Those considered to be apart of the elite class suffer from anxiety, paranoia, panic attacks, greed, drug abuse, childhood trauma, and emotional disconnection. The problem they have and we may not, is that their financial resources are unlimited when it comes to obtaining abusive tools https://caldaclinic.com/inside-the-mental-health-problems-of-uhnwis/.
The Alternative
As stated in the introduction, the idea of becoming an elitist is beginning to permeate all levels of society.
Instead of striving to become a part of a class that is based on financial resources and power, we should redirect our endeavors toward those that serve each other and strengthen our communities.
Utilizing money as the idea of success will be a never ending journey as numbers are infinite. Instead, we should look at the alternative and focus our efforts on that which calls our soul to uplift, foster peace, and love our neighbor. That which brings a true spirit of contentment and not an artificial one created by mammon.
1 Timothy 6:7-11
For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
For the love of money is the root of all evil; which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through many sorrows.
But thou, O man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, Godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
With Love,
Mother Ocia