The world is Good: My Interview with a Realist

Hello friends, after taking the VIA Strengths Finder, I spent some time reflecting on the results. I like the results; my scores were all very close, so the deviation from strengths to lower competencies was minor.  Honesty, Kindness, and Love were my top character strengths. These are accurate for me in all aspects of my life. I deeply value open and honest communication and accountability. Love and kindness are apparent in my actions and career goals. I believe all beings deserve dignity and respect, and I strive to embody these values personally and professionally.

My unwavering commitment to honesty and integrity is evident in my work as an educator and storyteller. I strive to foster an environment of academic integrity and open, honest communication between learners and myself.

Follow the link VIA Strengths Finder, which links to an external site to take a brief survey and receive a list of our character strengths! Note: First, You must register for a free account to take the survey.

After taking my Policy class, I was more clearly shown how to combine my character strengths to implement sustainable social change.  I continue to direct my time, energy, and resources to make sure that those who experience social oppression also experience love. I chose this degree to gain tools to meaningfully change our social systems and make life richer, where honesty is the foundation of how people are treated. We know from the rich courses in our Sociology graduate program that deep social inequalities exist between competing social groups and classes. I am dedicated to supporting outlier groups of intersecting identities where disability status is the central overlap. I am a gentle, affectionate person, and I hold everyone to the standard of honesty (accountable) for their actions and choices. I am kind, know there is room for growth, and approach everything with this mindset. Since I was a teen, I have professed my "love for people, all people, and that is just the tip of the iceberg." I believe in every person's inherent worth and dignity, and I strive to make everyone feel included and valued.

In light of my VIA assessment, I decided to reach out to a friend and see what they thought. Here is the outcome of our conversation!

My Interview with a Realist:

*Questions and answers have been paraphrased for clarity

Q 1. What would you say to someone arguing that focusing on individual strengths like honesty and kindness may overlook the systemic issues contributing to social oppression?

C: I appreciate you asking this profound question; it shows me that you're thinking critically about justice and fairness. I believe individual strengths like kindness and honesty matter a lot because they shape how we treat each other day to day, which is something I care deeply about. At the same time, I know that more significant, systemic issues must be addressed, and I believe we can make meaningful changes when we bring those personal virtues into the fight for justice. Optimism helps me stay motivated, even when the problems are overwhelming.

Q 2. Have you thought about how saying you embody these values could come off as a bit naive? Like, in a world this complicated, do you think it’s realistic to rely on optimism and personal virtues to make meaningful change?

C: That's a great point, and I've definitely thought about it. Focusing on values like kindness or honesty might seem idealistic, especially when social issues are complicated and entrenched. But we need some idealism to stay hopeful and keep moving forward. Hope motivates me to believe change is possible, even in small ways. I also believe that living by these values doesn't mean ignoring the complexity of systemic problems. I think about using them as a foundation for engaging with those problems meaningfully. To me, optimism isn't about being blind to reality; it's about believing that individual and collective actions can still create ripples of change even within oppressive social systems.

Q 3. Do you ever worry that focusing so much on personal values like kindness and honesty makes it easy to overlook bigger, systemic problems? I mean, it's great to be kind, but do you think that’s enough

C: I mean, yeah... it's true that embracing values like kindness and accountability could seem overly idealistic in a complicated world. But for me, these values are deeply tied to who I am and how I engage with people, especially those with intersecting identities where disability is a key part of the experience. I believe that loving people, holding them accountable, and approaching life with a growth mindset isn't about ignoring reality... it is about building a future where everyone feels valued and included regardless of their differences. There's always room for growth in myself and the systems I engage with, which gives me hope.

Q 4. Have you ever been in a room with 100 people? How many of them were good? Probably 2. Do you really think people are good? People are not good; the world is bad. (paraphrased)

C: People are complex and shaped by their experiences, environments, and choices. While I think everyone has the capacity for goodness, I also recognize that circumstances can lead some to act in harmful ways. I think we are born good. Go into the newborn room at a hospital and tell me where you see one bad baby. There aren't any. All babies are good. It’s essential to consider the underlying factors...like trauma, socialization, or systemic issues that can influence behavior. Promoting understanding, compassion, and accountability can help us tap into the goodness in everyone, even when faced with negative actions. It's a belief rooted in the idea that everyone has inherent worth and the potential for growth.

Honestly, I respect this conversation so much. It's refreshing to be asked challenging questions by someone who genuinely wants to understand my approach.

C: I think they’re asking me these questions because they care about how I engage with the world and want to understand the kind of person I am at a deeper level. It’s not just about what I believe but how I put those beliefs into action, especially in the face of complex challenges. These questions show me that they value critical thinking and authenticity, and they probably want to see if my optimism and ideals hold up when things get complicated.

Their questions for you:

• Have you considered that claiming to embody these values might come across as overly idealistic or naive in the face of complex social problems?

•  How would you address those who believe personal values alone are insufficient for enacting broad social change, suggesting that structural reforms are also necessary?

My questions for you:

• What do you think is the most promising change happening today?

• How do you stay hopeful when facing challenges or setbacks?

• Can you share when you saw kindness or positivity make a real difference in someone's life?

• What gives you hope for the future, especially regarding social issues?

• Do you believe that individuals can create meaningful change, even in the face of systemic problems? Why or why not?

• How do you find joy or positivity in difficult situations?