controlling narratives
I’ve been wanting to write something along the lines of today’s Note for a while now.
There are headlines I see all the time, especially since I’m in the world of finance, that contain some truths but also carry a negative, limiting, scarcity mindset and a controlling undertone:
“Gen-Z And Millennials Can’t Afford Homes”
“Why Millennials Are Facing The Scariest Financial Future Of Any Generation Since The Great Depression.”
“The Data Is In: Gen Z Face A More Competitive Job Market Than Their Predecessors.”
“The Top 1 % of Americans Have Taken $50 Trillion From the Bottom 90 % — And That’s Made the U.S. Less Secure”
As I mentioned, these headlines aren’t totally false; I’m sure the data cited is accurate, and these issues are very real. There is truth in these headlines. However, they do not have to become YOUR truth.
This morning, I was listening to the latest episode of Modern Wisdom, in which Chris Williamson interviewed Bernie Sanders. Early in the conversation, they began discussing the widening wealth gap, the housing crisis among younger generations, and issues with the American healthcare system.
There were plenty of truths discussed.
However, when Bernie started using statements similar to the headlines I shared above, I became slightly perturbed.
My beef with the headlines and statements from influential people like Bernie Sanders is that the majority of the public believes them — and in that belief, those statements become their reality.
The important issues that lie within the truths of these headlines and statements need to be discussed and remedied. And they can be addressed without imposing limiting or controlling beliefs on people. Because the truth is, the wealth gap will never shrink if 99% of people believe they are getting screwed, have no chance at improving their situation, and just accept that in their lifetime, they are stuck where they are.
The headlines and statements take away people’s hope, ambition, confidence, and drive.
The headlines and statements create powerless victims.
The headlines and statements become the majority’s reality.
How can we address the inequalities and obstacles currently present in a way that empowers people to improve their situations and thereby address the issues?
Change the narratives.
I’m not suggesting we create false narratives and lie, although I’d be lying if I said I haven’t thought about the self-fulfilling prophecies we might create if we bend the truth and tilt towards positivity, optimism, and love. But take housing, instead of talking about the younger generation that will never be able to own a home, we can discuss how the path to home ownership might have looked different in the past. Or we can talk about what a starter home really is and rein in unrealistic expectations about how big, where, and how much a first home should cost.
Or with the 1% vs 99%, we could talk about how to move from the 99% to the 1% and how, if enough people move in that direction, the percentages become more balanced; we can go from 99-1 to 98-2 to 97-3 and so on. And we can talk about how there has never been a better time in history to improve your financial situation. People are setting up legit businesses as side hustles from their phones — go back in time and try to start a business in the 50s, 60s, 70s, or even the 80s.
But the headlines we get today do not tell these stories.
I know they are having a limiting and controlling people because I hear and see it every day.
I also know they don’t have to have a limiting and controlling impact because they aren’t doing it to me, my closest friends, and the communities I am a part of.
They only limit you if you choose to believe them.
You don’t have to believe me. You can continue to trust that you can’t improve your life or achieve your goals because of the limitations imposed on you by the narratives we are fed every day.
But my challenge to you is: will you be worse off if you shake the victim mentality that the narratives and headlines encourage, and look for the opportunities and power you have to improve your situation?
Will you be worse off if you choose not to allow the narratives and headlines to become your reality?
I know the answer, but you have to find out for your Self.
See you tomorrow and keep pursuing,
JC
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