Anyways, when I was a freshman in high school I somehow got put in this really dumb Global Studies class, ran by a teacher who I wasn't very fond of. I actually believed this was going to count as a world history credit, which is why put up with this bullshit class for so long. Turns out it was an elective, awesome. But anyways it was basically just another way for the US Education system to spoon feed me some more nonsense about how great China was and oh my teacher visited China and it was just a wonderful place with people with real wholesome moral values. Gee-wiz. You've gotta be kidding me. I'm straying way off topic, I just want everyone to know that this class was very annoying to me.
Back on topic, one day this teacher wanted us to go to one side of the classroom for a team exercise. She wanted us to go to the left side of the classroom if you believed there were people in America that aren't able to make of life for themselves because they were not given the chance. And go to the right side if you believed everyone had a chance or multiple chances in my belief. being a sensible and non-brainwashed kid I went to the right. The majority of the people went to the left, but I was happy to see a small group of people felt the same and came to my side. That happiness left me when the teacher started talking to the right side about if they were sure, and think about the children who are in the hoods and everything. She basically made them feel bad for their choice and I assume they felt alienated from the rest of the class since we were a small group. So they all eventually changed their minds and switched sides. Leaving me alone to explain myself. I stood strong and explained my opinion and made very good points. But when you're in a classroom full of lazy teens, a liberal teacher, and the occasional pregnant chick they don't listen to you.
I'm gonna tell you exactly what I told them and maybe you can also decide for yourself without this teacher hassling you. I feel everyone in America is given the chance for greatness and success. It is definitely not the same in other countries. But here in America land of the free, and home of the brave we have a choice to be productive, a choice to be successful and all it takes is hard work. In this country there are jobs and there are way to make money, there are also plenty of ways to make a name for yourself. Admittedly so they are not as easy to get as they used to be, but they are out there. And then there is always the military, and work outside the US.
Common Teenager: But Griffin what about all the dropouts our society produces? Me: What about them? My Grandmother got pregnant back in the early 1960's when she was only 15 or 14. This was at a time when it wasn't radically accepted in schools. She got kicked out and had to crawl her way up. She never asked for a handout by the government or anyone. She got her GED and worked multiple jobs and raised three kids that also were successful and got college educations. Eventually retiring at an early age.
One of my most hated shows is "Teen Mom". The huge majority of teens on that show just stick out their hands to their parents, the government, and the audience. The huge majority of them also have emotional problems and are plain PHAT lazy. Their is no reason why they can't make success for themselves. They can finish school and go to college and get jobs. Having a baby in the modern American society doesn't really effect very much as far a getting a job and education. But they act as if it does and need help from everyone, when they should suck it up and get to work.
Common Teenager: Okay Griffin, but that doesn't answer my question. Me: Yes it does. Let me explain it further. If as a dropout my Grandma was able to climb to the top even with a multiple babies tied to her side. Oh and did I mention she had a couple bad husbands also. If she could do that back in a stricter America, anyone can do it in modern America. Instead these dropouts often go to crime and/or become drug addicts. Common Teenager: But Griffin they don't know any better. Me: Don't give me that, with today's amazing technology that can influence to countries around the world. We have TV, the internet, News Broadcasting, Religious Broadcasting. People, even dropouts, have all the right tools to develop morals. In fact one of the best church programs I know about is in the hood. And plenty of kids have become great people because of that program. The reason these people turn to crimes is because it's easier and more comfortable, it's what they've known all they're life. It doesn't mean it's right and it doesn't mean they can't change, they usually just don't want to.
Common Teenager: So then how can dropouts and teens go about with success? Me: The biggest thing is to find something you really enjoy. It might be a hobby, or a memory. maybe you don't know it yet. The best thing to do is follow your loves in life and they won't ever betray you if you do the proper amount of work. If you don't know what you like it's even more exciting, do a bunch of things. Do anything you think might be fun, and eventually you'll find a passion for something and it will become your life. As for education, in America there are tons and I mean an abundance of opportunities for the dropouts or teens falling behind. Programs that offer diplomas, GED's, and even college degrees. There is always a chance for education in America. Much like there is always a chance for anything in America. I can't say how America will turn out in the next 50 years. But I can tell you as of right now anyone can make a good life for themselves, anyone can get a good education, and anyone can have a family, all it takes is hard work and sacrifice just like our founding fathers wanted it to be.
-Griffin Balducci
