There is something that is spreading throughout society. It’s not the coronavirus. It’s the virus of entitlement. After hearing a sermon on this subject a few weeks ago, I’ve been wanting to express my feelings and thoughts on this issue. Now is the time.
Recently an article about Dr. Dre (Andre Young) spread through the news. His 38-year old daughter (Latanya Young) now proclaims herself to be homeless and is in dire need of financial help. When reading the headlines I was flabbergasted. How could a father intentionally ignore the needs of his daughter and grandchildren? Then, I thought to myself, this is a little too crazy… let me take a deeper look into this.
So, here’s the facts of the story, most of which are found online.
- Dr. Dre and Latanya have no real relationship – Latanya hasn’t seen her father in 18 years (since she was 20 years old).
- Everything is vague – The clarity of Dr. Dre’s relationship with Latanya, Latanya’s mother (Lisa Johnson), and Latanya’s 2 sisters (who reportedly are Dr. Dre’s children as well) is very vague… there is no public information about their relationship other than when Dr. Dre divorced or separated from Lisa Johnson when Latanya was 5 years old.
- Something happened… Latanya did something – This is the most interesting of all… Dr. Dre has paid his daughter’s rent and given her an allowance all of her adult life. But, for some reason he stopped in January 2020.
- Dr. Dre is richer than rich – He could buy and furnish her a house with maids, and he wouldn’t even notice the money spent on it left his bank account.
What is the argument? Why is this even news?
It’s all because people truly believe Latanya is a victim. They feel she has no real responsibility in making life decisions, or managing the financial and emotional welfare of herself or her children… and ultimately should not be accountable for her present situation. Period.
The thing about entitlement is… if you are Prince William or Harry, then by all means feel entitled. The world honors them because of their family lineage. However, when a normal person obtains a false sense of entitlement, inwardly they think/feel as if they are on a higher-level than others. But, in reality they are on the same level, and their mindset only separates them from their community.
Oftentimes, self-given entitlement only separates you from those who can help you the most.
Jason Perry
The inability to ask for forgiveness, or admit a wrongdoing. The desire to always be right. The inability to admit you need help, or ask for help. The attitude that you don’t need to work to survive. When you always consider yourself as a victim. When you take for granted all of your blessings, especially those you didn’t earn. Or when you simply feel high-minded, “I shouldn’t have to pay for anything.”… “This should be free.”... “They should pay me just to be here.”… all of these are characteristics of people who feel entitled.
Nothing in this world is free. Everything comes at a price. Either you worked to create, build or achieve it… or somebody else did.
Being a black man in America, the moment I learned how many people marched, fought and died so I could have the right to vote and be considered equal, made me feel responsible to use the my vote… which I never personally paid the full price for. So I vote on everything 🙂
Being someone who has a disability. When I go to the gym or play basketball. I enjoy it so much… because it is only by God’s grace that I am still able to exercise and compete physically.
Being someone who grew up in church, and who has life experience living in both wealthy and poor communities. I understand regardless of everything good or bad which has happened in my life, I am blessed in so many ways.
Being a single man for most of my life… with mature eyes I now see how my ignorance on dating coupled with a sense of entitlement may in fact have limited my dating options throughout my adulthood.
It’s nothing wrong with feeling/being entitled… if in fact that’s who you are.
Entitlement can separate you from others. This may be good or bad… who knows? But, just don’t be hypocritical about who you are.
For example, I’m fine with women who claim to be queens. I respect them if they live in excellence and are worthy of the title. But, those who claim to be queens, yet live dishonorably and nothing they do is done in excellence… those women are hypocrites. And, the worst part about being a hypocrite is that you’re not just lying to others… you’re lying to yourself.
I feel one of the top reasons so many people face mental health issues is because they are not real/honest with themselves about who they are.
In all honestly, I have lived with my mother for a large percentage of my adult life. Yet, no one considers the economical or practical reasons which caused me to make those choices.
Oftentimes when people realized I lived with my mother, I was immediately judged as a lazy or apathetic man… even though I’ve always made every effort to take care of myself. We all know everyone needs help in life, it’s just we pick and choose who to give grace to.
I totally understand Latanya needs help right now. She doesn’t need more money, she needs a life coach. Plus, it’s nothing wrong with asking for help, but we shouldn’t expect people to always take care of us. Help is a blessing, and should not be considered anyone’s obligation. At least in my opinion.
What an absolutely brilliant article.
You looked past the headline and into the facts as best possible and found that something was fishy.
I’ve been a single dad for a decade, have multiple disabilities, have survived the rankest discrimination due a variety of reasons and come out the other side resolute to live life on my terms and in order to do so had to confront the things I did that shaped my life. For a time all I really wanted to do was step in front of a truck as that was easier than living. My son was the only reason I didn’t do that such is my love for him born into a life no child should endure.
Owning your own actions rather than deflecting from it is perhaps the hardest thing a person can do at first and then it is an easier burden to carry.
I tell my son that at some point in life you have to take a good long hard look at yourself stripped of all pretensions and illusions. For when you do so you never like everything you see about yourself but it can set you free to be more than what you think you can be.
Thanks so much for the compliment! I know you’ve been through a journey. I admire your will to fight through those issues. I’ll definitely be praying for you.