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And a pretty biased opinion at that: "At the end of the day, we have an economy that works for the rich by cheating the poor and unequal schools are the result

And a pretty biased opinion at that: "At the end of the day, we have an economy that works for the rich by cheating the poor and unequal schools are the result of that, not the cause." Having come from a poor family, my single mother the child of a dirt-poor, subsistence-farming family, and having done fairly well for myself all things considered, I am almost always skeptical of anyone that says the poor don't have a chance. Not that public schooling was much help, but when people spout this garbage, I want to ask them where the hell I came from if the US doesn't give you a fair shake. I've not seen failure from anyone that was truly determined, but I have seen a pampered, upper-middle class tell me I couldn't make it, over and over again. Hell, I've seen my own family tell me I couldn't make it. I could imagine beliving them if I were anywhere else on earth. The most inspiring thing I've ever seen is Baxter Humby, right after defending his title as super-middleweight Muay Thai champion (with only one arm and at the age of 34, no less) grab the microphone like a giddy schoolboy and tell the stunned audience after his mostly one-sided fight (I have never seen a one-armed man dominate the ring like that) that the only limits we have are those we place on ourselves. I'm thoroughly sick of dour people like the author of this article help people limit themselves. Humby aside, it's true: you don't need to listen to anyone tell you that you are oppressed here. Prove it to yourself: make enough money to travel abroad, and see if those people are oppressed, to give yourself a point of reference. You'll learn a few things on the way up.

klbarry 16y ago
Everyone has opportunity in America - some people are weighed down by past experiences, family and personal. I believe that's the biggest preventer of social mobility.
OpieCunningham 16y ago
Statistically, someone raised poor is far less likely to become more successful financially vs. someone raised wealthy. You may be an exception, but why is that so hard to comprehend? Personal drive is but one portion of following a path to success. Of course, personal drive comes from somewhere - were you born with it or did it grow in you from your various interpersonal relationships with family, friends, peers and mentors? What about those poor people who did not have the same personal drive growth from their family, friends, peers and mentors? Another aspect in the path to success, at least as valuable as personal growth, is luck. Luck to be born in a wealthy family. Luck to be born in an environment where experiences with family/friends/peers/mentors instills a strong sense of personal growth. Luck to meet someone who opens a door.
- 1337p337 16y ago
  I never said a lack of money was not a disadvantage. I pointed out Humby as an example of someone with what might be considered a totally insumountable disadvantage (one friggin' arm, the guy's a hero). Lots of poor people stay poor and are likely to continue; my point is that, of all places on earth, the poor have a pretty good shot here, and that the attitude that we're somehow unfair to them in this country is totally unfounded and, in fact, damaging to people who don't need the added disadvantage of being discouraged. Life's playing field has never been level, but it doesn't do anyone any good to make these assertions that one disadvantage or another is too much. As far as your question about personal drive, it came from an intense desire to not eat another bowl of instant ramen, ever. And on the topic of luck, it's a common saying that the harder you work, the luckier you get.

klbarry 16y ago

Everyone has opportunity in America - some people are weighed down by past experiences, family and personal. I believe that's the biggest preventer of social mobility.

OpieCunningham 16y ago

Statistically, someone raised poor is far less likely to become more successful financially vs. someone raised wealthy. You may be an exception, but why is that so hard to comprehend? Personal drive is but one portion of following a path to success. Of course, personal drive comes from somewhere - were you born with it or did it grow in you from your various interpersonal relationships with family, friends, peers and mentors? What about those poor people who did not have the same personal drive growth from their family, friends, peers and mentors? Another aspect in the path to success, at least as valuable as personal growth, is luck. Luck to be born in a wealthy family. Luck to be born in an environment where experiences with family/friends/peers/mentors instills a strong sense of personal growth. Luck to meet someone who opens a door.

1337p337 16y ago
I never said a lack of money was not a disadvantage. I pointed out Humby as an example of someone with what might be considered a totally insumountable disadvantage (one friggin' arm, the guy's a hero). Lots of poor people stay poor and are likely to continue; my point is that, of all places on earth, the poor have a pretty good shot here, and that the attitude that we're somehow unfair to them in this country is totally unfounded and, in fact, damaging to people who don't need the added disadvantage of being discouraged. Life's playing field has never been level, but it doesn't do anyone any good to make these assertions that one disadvantage or another is too much. As far as your question about personal drive, it came from an intense desire to not eat another bowl of instant ramen, ever. And on the topic of luck, it's a common saying that the harder you work, the luckier you get.