Archive for December, 2009

Picture this—middle America. Mom and dad, two kids, quaint house, picket fence—you’ve seen it in the movies, or maybe read about it in a book. It’s the American dream. As part of that dream, dad puts his arm around his young son, pulls him near and looks him straight in the eye. The words permeate within little Jr. “Son, I want you to work hard. This is America. Go to college. Earn your degree and get a good job. Work hard in your life so you can retire when you’re older. I want you to have a better life that the one I’ve got.”
Now picture this—third world country. Single mom, 5 children, a small dwelling with maybe two rooms. Not as popular as the previous scene; yet still they cling to a different version of the American dream: the one we’ve let slip through our fingers. This mom takes her eldest son in her arms and pulls him close. She whispers poignantly in his ear. “Son, I want you to work hard. Go to America. There you can start a business -
Read the rest of this entry »