Week Four: Mama’s speech-Problematize post

                                                           September 21, 2011

Mama: Oh—So now it’s life. Money is life. Once upon a time freedom used to be life—now it’s money. I guess the world really do change . . .

Ø  Walter: No—it was always money, Mama. We just didn’t know about it.

Ø  Mama: No . . . something has changed. You something new, boy. In my time we was worried about not being lynched . . . You ain’t satisfied or proud of nothing we done. I mean that you had a home; that we kept you out of trouble till you was grown; that you don’t have to ride to work on the back of nobody’s streetcar—You my children—but how different we done become.

These few quotes here from Mama and her son Walter are small, but very heavy. This conversation between the two of them shows the economic status and struggle that their family is going through at this time. It displays the different views that Walter has and that Mama has. It shows that Walter obviously thinks that happiness for him and his family depends on your financial status, how much money you have. This is how Walter measures his success and the success of the people around him. He believes that money is the key to a carefree, laidback, comfortable life. At this moment, Walter believes that his depressive, unhappy state is due to his lack of wealth.

Mama on the other hand believes true happiness is due to the love and care for the people around you. Her family and their joy mean the world to Mama. She realizes just how much times have drastically changed from her generation to her son’s generation. His attitude towards money proves the very change that has taken place. She goes on to say “Once upon a time freedom used to be life—now it’s money. I guess the world really do change.” The skewed outlook that Walter has on money, sincerely discourages Mama. It saddens her heart that her son bases his measurement of a successful life on how much money he might obtain from time to time. This puts stress on not only their relationship but the families relationship as a whole.

I think our society is very much alike to Walter and his views on wealth, unfortunately. This is very disappointing to me. It shows where America’s true priorities stand. People who have little money are almost looked down upon this day and age. There more money that you obtain, the more you are respected. Money has corrupted the minds of many people around the world. Some would even go as far as to say it is the root of all evil in today’s world. We, as Christians even get caught up in the notion that money can fulfill you. That is a very scary place to be. Money won’t always be around, but God will be here today, tomorrow, and for eternity. Money is a material thing that can only last for long. The “high” money gives you can only last momentarily. God is constant, forever loyal. We should stand firm on the promise that God is our source of all happiness, all joy, all success, and so much more. As God’s people, we should be absolutely ashamed of our actions. The Bible even explains to us that looking to money for security is a despicable sin. Hebrews 13: 5 says: Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Trusting in a monetary thing will only get us so far for so long. We owe our all to Him.