First, it is important to understand exactly what the word integrity means. The dictionary defines integrity as steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code. Morality and ethics are disintegrating in American society. How many times have we all heard, or even said that "nice guys finish last" and "you have to look out for number one"? These statements have practically become mantras in American life.

The assault on personal integrity begins very early in life. This is unfortunate because the foundation of our morals and ethics is formed at a fairly young age. In grade school, certain groups of children are labeled as outcasts. Among the outcasts are the poor, very intelligent, handicapped, very religious, etc. Not only does the "shunning" of these groups assault their integrity, it assaults the integrity of the children who may want to befriend them despite their shunned status. We are groomed as young children to either be unkind or avoid those who are less fortunate or glaringly different.

Things are not better in the adult world. Billions of dollars are rewarded to corporate executives each year for keeping expenses down and profits up. While the aim of business is to make money, corporations have taken it to a new level. They keep expenses down by paying employees as little as possible, as well as eliminating some jobs altogether. The elimination of positions does not mean that the work is not there, it is simply pushed into the hands of the already overworked and underpaid staff that is still on the payroll. They keep profits up by buying the cheapest materials and cutting corners on the goods that will be purchased with the hard earned money of our families. It is demoralizing to say the least.

Contemporary American society rewards us for being self centered and uncaring abut the plight of others. There is tremendous pressure to conform to the standard of "me-ism". Yes, it is easier to conform to what society says is normal than to listen the little voice inside that tells us what is right. It has always been easier, but what would our world be like if people like Abraham Lincoln or Martin Luther King, Jr. had cared more about what was popular than what was right? There have also been many great inventors who were scoffed at by peers. What if they had listened to their detractors?

Many Americans today are unhappy with the current state of things, but do nothing about it. Along with integrity comes a sense of responsibility. How will we ever get our integrity back if we sit back waiting for someone else to make the changes for us? We have gotten self centered to the point of expecting someone else to come along and give us an easy fix to every problem, but this is never going to happen. As long as we keep our integrity on the shelf and imply agreement by our silence, the very things that have made America less great than it used to be are only going to gain more momentum. Regaining our integrity is going to mean that we have to step outside of ourselves and care enough about others to ban together with them to effect change.

Learn more about this author, Tracy A. Moore.
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