tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3879628390912638860.post298389057229396137..comments2023-11-05T00:32:49.656-07:00Comments on Waterblogged: Sharon Heights reaches new heightssarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08908348027002076638noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3879628390912638860.post-9711203605423531992007-07-02T16:17:00.000-07:002007-07-02T16:17:00.000-07:00There were a lot of things to get teary about at l...There were a lot of things to get teary about at last Tuesday's event -- some sad, like the disparities in income and opportunity right here among our neighbors, and some inspiring, like the fact that so many of us are willing to do what we can to change that and that so many families are eager for their children to take advantage of whatever help is offered.<BR/>I agree with you, Emmit, that the dreamer's goal of making lots of money stood out. In the context of her comments, though, it didn't make me sad. For her, the money was the means to an end: taking care of her family. And isn't that something we all want to be able to do? Who knows if she'll stick with her interest in the law, but if it motivates her and keeps her focused on her academic success, terrific. The great thing about academic success is that it gives you choices, and she can decide later exactly what profession feels right for her.<BR/>When I was her age, and even later, most of my friends wouldn't have openly stated a goal of making lots of money, but I think that's partly because they assumed (as I did) that they would have enough -- whatever "enough" meant to them. For those who've lived without the assumption that working full time means having enough money, it's more important to be explicit about the goal of plentiful income. I loved seeing that she had drawn connections for herself: taking care of my family means I need money, needing money means I need a good job, needing a good job means I need an education. What a great program IHAD must me if it can help dreamers make those connections and stay focused on what they need to do today to get to tomorrow's goals.Whitneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12286946766868141708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3879628390912638860.post-33655431568991322832007-06-28T11:28:00.000-07:002007-06-28T11:28:00.000-07:00I was glad to hear one of IHAD's main objectives i...I was glad to hear one of IHAD's main objectives is to get the kids out of Ravenswood City School District and into private and charter schools. I would love to see a grand reformation of Ravenswood, even though I don't think a private Catholic school education is a better alternative (I'm still bitter about the church's Inquisition, their refusal of science and divisive heirarchy based on superstition and guilt).<BR/>I am greatly troubled by the "dreamer's" comment on how she wishes to become a lawyer to make lots of money in order to care for a family properly. This statement confirms the current economic disparity as one of the main reasons for our social plight. The people who served our wine and appetizers surely were not paid enough to provide for their families properly, as many of the "negligent" parents of these underprivileged children must work 2 or 3 full-time jobs of this kind to pay for the basics of survival, like shelter, food, clothing, and healthcare. Also, I come from too much old money to be fooled by the idea that making/having lots of money is the answer to a happy life. It is tragic she has been subjected to poverty, but even more so if she neglects her interests to aquire money. Is she really interested in law? The unhappiest people I know are loaded with cash. So I hope the organization's message is not money equalizing fulfillment.<BR/>Like Tim, I too have shed many tears when considering what could be versus what is. I am glad to see our team contemplating and striving toward our human potential. I too have a dream that someday the rich and poor alike have equal opportunities to pursue happiness. None of us will be able to until we all can. We must bridge this tremendous economic gap through multiculturalism. What is multiculturalism? I believe we are still finding-out, this has been the course of human evolution and I hope the future generations (my son?) will know because endeavors such as this are bringing us closer.<BR/>Alright, here come the tears thinking about a world without poverty, racism, or homophobia, where everybody is granted the means of survival in order to pursue higher interests. A borderless world united by our humanity in which every person is supported not just to survive but to achieve happiness as well...I see completely new swim records way surpassing the current ones in such a state...we are only beginning to see our potential.Emmithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18068579077329630186noreply@blogger.com