by Fed up
Wednesday, Nov. 06, 2002 at 12:38 AM
I've noticed that some of the right-wingers and Bush lovers who post on IMC -- most notably those with nothing of substance to say -- are fond of using the term "Trust Fund Kids" as a pejorative to somehow diminish the contributions of those whose financial circumstances are anywhere above the poverty level. Let's dispel some of the "popular" misconceptions.
First, I can assure you I'm not a "Trust Fund Kid" myself, in age OR in means (far from it, in fact), but having been involved with social issues for many years, I'm acquainted with quite a few who could be said to fit that description. I have to say that not all young people - well-heeled or not - make social activism a lifelong commitment, at least not to the extent that they pursue it full time, and certainly there are a few dilletantes and fair-weather players, as there are in any field of human endeavor, but by and large I've met very few who weren't totally committed to their cause.
That someone's family may have the resources to provide a financial cushion for their children doesn't make those children "spoiled rich kids" any more than the lack of financial resources makes less-fortunate kids street criminals or pickpockets. Quite the contrary, in fact. I have known many young men and women -- whose "trust fund" (or generous allowance) was their sole source of income -- who devoted themselves full-time to a cause when few others could afford to. I have seen some spend their limited resources (since most parents and trustees keep the financial leash reasonably short) on photocopying and printing costs, postage, telephone charges, legal expenses, and even rent to keep their organizations ticking along. I've known a few who gave selflessly to support the work of shelters and community kitchens, even to the extent of having to eat there themselves because they hadn't enough left for a restaurant meal.
Time is money, and spending time on anything non-remunerative is spending one's capital. Time devoted to social causes is the equivalent of money given away, and when financial resources are also expended in that behalf, the contribution is compounded. There is no difference between people who spend half their capital -- earned or not -- on important public issues. Those in a position to make such contributions deserve the eternal thanks of the community -- not the sanctimonious sniping of small-minded people with nothing better to do than sit at their computers and denigrate those who try to make a difference. To all the ankle-biters out there, when was the last time YOU tried to make the world a better place? And spare me the bit about having fought for your country -- so did I.