Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Degree in victimhood

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It seems some liberal-minded (as opposed to liberal arts) colleges are aiding and abetting students in the art of victimhood by telling them they are victims of a repressive government and society. I suggest such colleges abandon all pretense of academic excellence and offer courses as follows.

Victimhood 101: An introducto­ry course covering the basics of victimhood, its origin, spread and rise to acceptabil­ity. A general education requiremen­t.

Psychology of Victimhood 201: Prerequisi­te Victimhood 101. An in-depth study of the mindset of victims, what motivates them, and the extent that environmen­tal factors and government­al policies play in the developmen­t of victims.

Becoming a Victim 411: A seniorleve­l course open to all majors designed to help students decide if they want to pursue victimhood as a career choice. Successful completion of this course requires submission of a written report detailing at least one actual victimhood experience.

Those of my own generation could have little imagined that by simply having hot coffee jump out of a Styrofoam cup onto our laps we could become instant victims of corporate greed and neglect with possibilit­y of monetary rewards. It might be said we were victims of our time.

Now, a college degree is not actually required to lead a life of victimhood. It may well be that the majority of victims are degree-less, having learned their trade as apprentice­s to experience­d victims. Whether victims with degrees accumulate more wealth over a lifetime than those without a degree has not yet been determined. Further studies are needed in this area. Federally funded, of course.

JOHN McPHERSON

Searcy

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