The value of personal responsibility

In his Inaugural Address, President Barack Obama asserted that we are asking the wrong questions. Instead of engaging in political debates about the proper size of government, we should do what works. In other words, we should not unquestioningly identify ourselves with ideologies, but should remain open to what public discourse can teach us. In order for this republic to function properly, we must adhere to foundational principles, such as honesty, courage, curiosity and loyalty.

Obama's crucial point was that you and I must not expect others to solve our own problems. Proper government and a transformative leader are useless without a citizenry that exercises personal responsibility.

Obama trusts that we have the potential to rise up out of our complacency: All we need is a mindset change. Remember? Yes, we can. In response to Obama, I question whether our society has developed the moral resources necessary for change. I even wonder if we are committed to the ideals Obama asserts as necessary to our task.

And what about us, the students here at the University of Richmond? Many of us are cowards who cover ourselves in armor of arrogance. We proclaim the value of ideals, but retreat into comfort when we should act with courage. We fantasize that the world is ours if we work hard enough, with no intention to be an advocate for others.

We pretend to be individuals insulated from responsibility, while reveling in the benefits of a world built on community. We feel entitled, not cognizant of how a vast majority of the world lives to satisfy our every need.

We guard ourselves to preserve this idolatry of self, and this fascination turns once-manageable conflicts into insurmountable obstacles. For instance, when we disagree with someone, we are no longer able to accept difference or the possibility of defeat. Since we base our identity on our performance, we stop at nothing to convince ourselves that we are right. In light of such explosive tendencies, it is more essential than ever to acknowledge that we are inextricably connected to those around us, and that if we treat anyone as less important than ourselves, we harm ourselves as well.

In order to realize these problems, we must develop responsibility through discipline. We must not only work hard, but we should more importantly be humble and accept the admonishment of others when we make mistakes. We should not live our lives in fear of failure. We must accept the inevitability of our errors and embrace these struggles in order to build our moral character.

Contact columnist Michael Kolbe at michael.kolbe@richmond.edu