The Lie of Our Individualism

Deep within the collective American psyche exists the idea of a rugged individualism, where we are solely responsible for our successes and our failures. It is commonly held that the greatest in our society are those who have struck out on their own, pulled themselves up by their bootstraps, and created their own success.

Of course, none of that has ever been, nor will ever be, true.

Why? Because we are products of a society and community that has shaped and formed us. Our successes, and our failures, are because of a series of decisions – some of which are our own and most of which are not. None of us are truly individuals upon whose shoulders bear the full weight of our successes and our failures. Surely, we are responsible for our actions, but the results of our actions are hardly just our own.

Not everyone has access to the same opportunities. Not everyone has the same level of support. Not everyone has the same choices presented to them. Not everyone will be treated the same when making the same choice as someone else. We do not live in an equal or equitable society.

The rugged American individual is a myth, and not even a good one at that. This myth shapes much of our society’s attitude, for better and often for worse. This idea leads us to nearly worshipping the most successful and denigrating the least among us. If everyone is solely responsible for their own successes, then it must be their fault if they have struggled.

We often become deeply selfish in our actions. Our politics, faith, economics, and every other area become a tool for our own self-gratification. Since we are so attuned to the idea that the results in our life are solely up to us, every action must first and foremost take care of our needs, or the needs of those closest to us. We vote to benefit ourselves, worship to benefit ourselves, accrue wealth to benefit ourselves, and live in such a way that seeks to gain without much thought to those around us.

The myth of our rugged individualism is deeply selfish and therefore harmful to the common good. If I may go so far as to say this as well: it is also inherently anti-Christ.

Let me explain.

How I view the Christ ethic is that it is fundamentally selfless. Essentially, everything is about everyone, meaning that all of our efforts should be towards benefitting everyone equitably. Our politics, our faith, our economics, and every other area should be shaped in such a way that has everyone, especially the least among us, in mind. Nothing is about us as individuals.

But here’s the good news: when everyone succeeds, we succeed as individuals too! Someone else’s victory is not our loss because, say it with me, everything is about everyone.

Seeking to attain more and more (wealth, power, etc.) will always come at the expense of another. Our selfish tendencies destroy the world around us, robbing from the poor to benefit the rich. That is completely upside down.

The way we have always done things is not good, just, nor loving. We have lacked love for our neighbor because we have only loved ourselves.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

We can structure our communities and societies in such a way where everyone wins. This should be our goal. Everything should be about everyone. It is possible, but it means a radically new way of living in the world. Watching the world crumble before our eyes because of our rugged individualism has been disheartening to many. We can change it.

And this is not about being nice to each other, although kindness can go a long way. The road ahead will not be easy, but we must make the choice to walk it.