under the circumstances

 Just who is trying to convince whom? That is a question I ask myself often as I read articles about various minority groups and individual accomplishments. Now when minority groups are mentioned our thoughts fly to African Americans, Latino's, Asian American and the whole LGBTQ+ whatever groups. But they aren't the only minorities to be considered. I'm thinking about all the minorities, those few that are different from others for any reason at all. Super rich people are a minority. Celebrities are a minority. People with all sorts of disabilities are minorities. The fact is, each one of us is a minority! Well, truth be told, each one of us are unique individuals. It is how we fit into society that will determine our status as a minority or a member of the majority. 

 It's true that we are not all born into the same circumstance. It could be argued that we are not all created equal if you take into account disabilities. Yes, some are born with inherently more intelligence or physical ability and attributes than others. But in a general sense we are all created equally. Genetics and hereditary factors define our circumstance. It does make a huge difference. Born with the proverbial silver spoon, or with no spoon at all, it will exert tremendous influence over your life. But, the thing is this, it will not prohibit you from success if that is what you choose. That is where the stumbling block resides. It isn't easy to fight the odds. And yes, the odds aren't equal, the odds always favor the house. In this situation, the majority is the house, the minority just the player. 

 The minority will never have the advantage. That is the first lesson people need to learn and understand. Accept that reality. The minority will never have the advantage. The majority may grant special dispensation, but it will always be to favor themselves. That is the second lesson people need to understand. If confused, refer to rule number one. There will always be a gain to the majority in some form. It's true even when that gain appears to be a concession. Keep in mind concessions exist to make money. It's a trade off but the one running the concession profits in the end. 

 The entire issue is one of circumstance. You can't change circumstance, it already happened. Yes, it's like the past, same thing, can't change what already happened. No matter what, it will not be changed. No matter the compensation given, the concession made, the acknowledgement of wrongdoing, the past will never be changed. You can't change circumstance simply because you do not control circumstance. The only thing you can control is your response to it. The choices you make will determine your future. Yes, circumstance will interfere, those outside forces you can do nothing about, that's rule three. Accept that reality as well. 

 Can you succeed against all odds? Yes, and many have done just that over the centuries. They are the ones that overcame circumstance or succeeded in spite of those circumstances. The minority will win a few hands. Thing is, the house always wins in the end. You are not going to change that either. You can not somehow transform the minority into the majority. You can't win the game by insisting the majority allow you to win. You can't change the rules! 

 The only way to win the game is to become a member of the house. That's a simple reality. That is the premise of a Republic. Everyone has a stake in the house. A government for the people. The people make the rules, well, the majority of the people anyway. In years past that wasn't the case. Still today all American citizens have the right to vote, they do have a stake in the house. They are empowered to effect a change in the rules. None of that will change circumstance. You have to react according to the circumstance. You know, that's why we say, under the circumstances. Success or failure? It always depends upon your response, under the circumstances. Try to act that way instead of, despite the circumstance. You aren't going to change the circumstances.