I would like to say that I am by all means not trying to offend anyone. I am just saying some final words so that this "great debate" will be over with in class. :]
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
final comments.
Since our class has been having huge debates in class about the issue of poverty, I decided to say a final statement about it. I agree that I am very blessed, but sometimes it makes me really upset when people are trying to make others "feel sorry" for people who don't have as much as I do. I know that not everyone is trying to do that when this issue comes up and I don't want that to come off as snobby or anything like that (because I know it sounds that way) it's just that my family came to this country with absolutely nothing but the clothes on their backs. They came from communist Cuba, where all of the things they worked their butts off for were taken away, so this topic is a little sensitive for me for that reason. It feels as though, many people want others to feel guilty about the things they have worked so hard for. I know that some people actually do have it really hard and those people I do feel bad for. It is sad because not everyone has been blessed with the great family, friends, schools, and even material things that I have. Again, I understand that I am very blessed, a lot more than many other people out there and that's why I think it is a good idea to do community service. It really is a huge wake up call. Sadly, there is no solution for this problem yet, but maybe some day we will be able to find a way that we can help everyone out without taking from the people who have worked their whole lives. I do not want to come off as a rude, or snobby kid (as I said before) because that is far from the truth. I just get a little annoyed with this topic sometimes because I know all the things my family went through. They pretty much were poor when they came here. My uncle had to redo college so he would be able to be a doctor in this country. It was like starting all over again with nothing, so when I see people who have like 10 kids and they are spending all their money on drugs instead of trying to send their kids to school so they could have a better life then they do, it really makes me mad. I find it irresponsible to be having so many children when they know that they can not take care of them. It sucks for the kids because now they will suffer because of choices made by their parents. Yes, this is not the case for everyone, I do understand that but for the people who do do this I find it very irresponsible and just plain rude.
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I totally understand and I hope you heard me say in class that you shouldn't feel guilty at all. You SHOULD be proud of your heritage and your family (as I am of mine). Very similarly, my grandpa came from fascist Italy when ge was just 16 yrs old. He had nothing and he came alone. He fought in world war1 so that he could become a citizen. He worked hard and saved. And here I am his grandson with a masters degree teaching at Stevenson living in a 4 bedroom house! it would be Unbelievable to him if he were alive today. So, am I proud? You bet. I also feel lucky and thankful. But I recognize that just because he was able to make it doesn't mean the road will be the same for everyone, you know? So I hope you see that you can be proud and feel blessed and still see the sociological forces at play in peoples lives.
ReplyDeletePs - thanks do much for following up and sharing your own feelings and personal story.
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