Dreams That Never Came To Be

It was disheartening, to say the least, to read the full article "For Poor, Leap to College Often Ends in a Hard Fall" posted by the New York Times.  The education and impoverished families problem in America almost go as hand-in-hand as they do separately. How can we progress education for those with less if, when presented with the opportunity, the only way to get that education is if those with less need more. Its a vicious, redundant circle to say the least. Similar to the old job application problem of "How can I get a job and gain experience, if every job I apply for requires experience". Do these universities realize  -hell, does the nation realize- that the students are, at this point, getting their degrees so that they can make enough money to pay off the debt it took to get those degrees? That is essentially the point of American education, at this point at least. That isn't to say that students should just be handed their diplomas. But, how can you expect to lower the poor deficit if they cannot achieve the necessary schooling to get out of it.  Angelica, from the article, is a prime example of this problem. Now, lets not be completely biased, both her and the university faculty could have done a bit more for the situation that bestowed her. But, the fact that it would have even taken that much -that it became that difficult just to pay for classes- is a problem on its own.  A track-dog wouldn't run after the bunny if it new it was so out of reach (maybe I don't know that much about the dog tracks). 

Similarly, lets look at this idea of "dreams" and what they mean.  That American dream; the nice house, picket fence, a dog the kids love, and neighbors you only know as well as you're comfortable with.  They say only hard work can get you there. But that's just what is said. It's easy to say things, easy to make claims, especially when you are in a position to do so.  But the real world is anything but easy.  The world is broken and the systems we take part in, willingly or not, are a direct reflection of that brokenness. Take Tupac for example. In Chris Rock's video, he mentions that streets are always named after MLK Jr. or Malcolm X, these people who came from little and impacted the American world in a way little had done before them. But what about those like Tupac. While, yes, Tupac was a staunch critic of American society, did he not come from nothing and make himself something? Did he not impact American culture enough? How do we recognize his success. And what about the couple in the music video "Wake Me Up When September Ends" by Green Day. These two seem to not have much as far as finances go. It seemed like military was his only choice.  Most branches of the military offer some type of college-aide after military devotion. This character felt it was the only way for him to give them what they wanted; " I did this for us!"

Is that what the dreams have become? Not something to be obtained, not a goal, but instead, only a dream. A dream that isn't tangible. A dream that puts you in debt for life. A dream that you can only achieve if you are wealthy enough. You might get shot on the way there, you might get deployed to a foreign country and have to fight your fellow man, or you might get close enough to taste it, only to have to go back. But, hey, that's the American Dream.