The struggle is real!

“The struggle is real” is a flag imagined of a counter-culture aptly named, “The Millennial Movement.” They use the phrase as a light-hearted means to perpetuate their plight and the express the strain of everyday life, but for our purposes, to begin with, we are going to cross-examine how the term may have come into prominence in the first place.

Consider that the last century(20th century) bolstered many of our modern day heroes and icons. These people have had a lasting impact with what they had left behind, from their work to their political context and finally their legacies, no other have left quite a mark like they.

From vainglory to hero worship these pioneers have been ousted, vilified, redeemed and finally honored as a result of their struggles. Some names come to mind; Muhammad Ali; Bruce Lee; John Nash; Chuck Bukowski; Mahatma Ghandi and Mother Teresa are some of the names in question.

Some of them you may know and others you may not. But one thing is for sure; Whether you were born in the last century or are of a generation that may not afford the luxury of their celebrity these are all household names.

These people have overcome race, religion, the status quo, tradition, vainglory, bitterness, contempt, necessary evils and even God. They only meant the best for themselves and all those around them, but were often bombarded with notions of hypocrisy and self-righteousness… it is only time, which had proven otherwise.

Speaking of esteem and honoring their lives and the work they had done all six of the names in question left an imprint on the last century. Perhaps then it is not too bold a claim to have some of these people(and others not mentioned) take partial credit for the appropriation of said paraphrasing, ‘The Struggle Is Real.’

Everyone in the modern day can only regard them, in a general sense, as saints, heroes and what-have-yous`.

Steve Jobs would also be one of these pioneers, of whom’s struggle — different in every plight — was entrepreneurial, is highly regarded as a trouble-maker. It is for this very reason, this movement calls to question.

They were very human people restricted by their inhibitions and amongst other things mostly felt their lives offered them no choice when making decisions, which would otherwise leave a ripple in time.

When highlighted in view of the bureaucracy that riddled their careers, these people will only be considered, and simply will only be known for their greatness and honored by the measure of their achievements… nothing more.

Steve Jobs famous advertisement entitled, “Think Different,” showcased some of these great men and women, edited to the tune of a monologue emphasizing the importance of struggle. To endure when the odds are stacked is essentially its message.

It is important to also take these pioneers with a pinch of salt, for inspite of their cultural significance, the monologue I refer to also sheds light on the pioneering individuals in mention, but must still be put to rest — restoring order to the values they so gallantly chose to disrespect. Honor them we must!

“The Struggle Is Real,” serves as that bench mark. The expression sheds a light on the topic as a whole and as well thematically.

The new millennium has spawned many disastrous events but so too does it bring a beacon of hope to the new and improved liberal workforce. The gesture is light and the people are friendly, ‘the struggle is real,’ is for those who were then and those who are now.

The heroes of the modern era are everywhere and in abundance. They are represented by the middle class of the new millennium. The ones who rest on their bean bags at work and create genuine, insightful and impactful sales pitches for today’s leaders… they are today’s leaders.

They never really die… heroes!

Taking on new shape and form… growing… evolving into the “Working Class Heroes,” which we know today.

— John Lennon, “Working Class Hero,” released 11 October 1971 —