Growing up in a Republican household, I frequently encountered the assertion that “People shouldn’t be punished for their success.” This phrase often served as a defense of fiscal conservatism.

Reductionist thinking has never appealed to me. As I began to identify as a political Independent, I sought to integrate the best aspects of various ideologies. Can policies be both “pro-business” and “pro-humanity,” promoting positive corporate practices? Is it possible for capitalism to flourish without cronyism?

This leads to the stigma against those perceived as lazy or entitled for not being able to “pull themselves up by their bootstraps.” This phrase has evolved into a colloquial way of blaming individuals for their own struggles.

In the aftermath of the Trump tax cuts enacted in 2017, John McDermott of MEL Magazine predicted that GOP leaders would invoke the metaphor of “bootstraps” to justify cuts to the social safety net. He traced this phrase back to the 19th-century Western frontier.

Cowboys, he noted, wore boots with leather straps that helped them pull them on while standing, unlike their Eastern counterparts with decorative buttons. McDermott argued that taking the phrase literally can be harmful; without extraordinary abilities, it is impossible for someone to elevate themselves above their circumstances.

Here, the act of levitation symbolizes the difficulty of overcoming significant challenges alone.

During my early college years, there was a Residence Hall Director who advised a multicultural student group I was part of. Jodi, who later became an Associate Dean and DEI director, was highly conscious of issues concerning women, BIPOC communities, and the LGBT+ community (to which I belong).

However, she often downplayed the impact of class on intersectionality, insisting that race and gender were the primary factors.

Not everyone possesses bootstraps.

One incident stands out. At a university symposium on community engagement, a student shared his realization that not everyone has the means to “pull themselves up by their bootstraps.” Jodi countered with, “Some people don’t even have BOOTS.”

Her point was valid, yet earlier in that symposium, she had suggested that the students, predominantly from lower economic backgrounds, likely had more disposable income than they realized for charitable giving. She emphasized the importance of donating time and energy instead of money to organizations in need.

Jodi's comments revealed a subtle classist microaggression, implying that a group of mostly White students were not as financially constrained as they believed. Despite her focus on race and gender as the most significant markers of oppression, she herself was a White woman, often promoting the controversial writings of Robin DiAngelo to her students.

In contrast was Larisa, a conservative classmate who lived in my residence hall during the 2004–05 academic year. Proudly displaying Republican signs outside her door, she contributed to The Flip Side, our alternative campus publication, often standing out among her progressive peers.

During this time, the Republican Party was stirring public discontent against LGBT individuals advocating for rights such as same-sex marriage. Larisa defended the party’s stance against gay marriage in an editorial, claiming that no state should supersede federal authority.

This application of “selective federalism” illustrated her bias, as most Republican legislators typically champion smaller federal government across numerous issues.

Larisa concluded her argument by asserting that Republicans support the traditional idea of “pulling yourself up by your bootstraps.”

This notion is convenient yet hollow when used to obscure a deeper agenda.

Both Jodi and Larisa, though ideologically different, have co-opted the term “bootstraps” as a dog-whistle to manipulate those outside their preferred groups.

This is not to dismiss the resourcefulness or work ethic of individuals who succeed through hard work. I genuinely admire those who use dedication, intelligence, and resilience to build fulfilling careers. Their achievements deserve recognition.

However, success does not grant immunity from accountability for those who mistreat subordinates.

By the mid-20th century, the term underwent a significant transformation.

Education writer Jeff Young traces “bootstrapping” back to inventor Nimrod Murphree, who, in 1834, was ridiculed for claiming to have discovered perpetual motion, suggesting he could travel “by the straps of his boots.”

Yet, as Young notes, the meaning shifted by the mid-20th century. He cites business author Seth Godin, highlighting how the burden of “bootstrapping” disproportionately affects female entrepreneurs and people of color, while access to startup resources often correlates with class status.

Young argues that stories of successful “bootstrappers” like GoPro founder Nick Woodman are exceptions, not the rule. Lacking family wealth or certain privileges can severely limit one’s opportunities.

Are we to believe that individuals simply need to “pull themselves up by their bootstraps” despite the myriad structural, financial, neurological, bureaucratic, and sociological obstacles they face?

It’s simple to accuse someone of neglecting their “bootstraps” without understanding their full circumstances.

People often form judgments based on external appearances: skin color, body type, or even posture.

But can one truly assess a person’s entire life experience based solely on visible traits?

Consider the high school student with untapped potential who, due to an undiagnosed learning disability, is labeled a “thug” and ends up dropping out of school.

Or the aspiring economist struggling to complete her dissertation while undergoing debilitating cancer treatment that depletes her savings.

What about the budding television writer unable to secure representation due to transportation issues?

Or the mid-level phlebotomist facing harassment at work but afraid to report it?

What of the pregnant marketing director feeling powerless against workplace bullying, risking her promotion and the future of her unborn twins?

And what about the single parent on the verge of losing their home due to predatory lending, unable to increase work hours due to childcare costs?

Are these individuals expected to simply “pull themselves up by their bootstraps” despite overwhelming barriers?

We must scrutinize the assumption that everyone possesses equal and durable bootstraps. This misconception serves as a stark reminder that multiple truths can coexist.

As reported by Huffington Post journalist Carolyn Bologna, the early years of the Great Depression marked a pivotal moment in the redefinition of “bootstraps.” While some view it as an absurd metaphor, others exploit it to guilt people into adopting an unrealistic standard of self-reliance.

In the last twenty years, America has experienced significant social and economic upheaval. If we can embrace individualism while recognizing the complexities of circumstances and continue to value hard work and innovation, we may pave the way for a more promising future than previous generations could have envisioned.