Krypto-Communist
12th December 2005, 00:16
I attend this university and I was reading some of the news archives and I came across this story about a kid whose dad is in jail and mom who is now deceased. It's a tragic story but I couldn't help noticing a little problem with it. When someone talks about "bettering themselves" how come it always boils down to how to "make more money" or "going to get rich"?
Is this the fault of capitalism that emphasizes wealth accumulation as a means to "better oneself" or should we put the blame on the players involved?
MILLERSVILLE Pa., August 9, 2005 Cory Ballard, an incoming freshman at Millersville University of Pennsylvania, has not had a typical childhood. Facing his fathers jail time and his mother being diagnosed with HIV and then dying of AIDS when he was 16, Ballard has overcome adversity and strives to graduate college and attend law school at either Yale or Northwestern University.
Ballard is the 2nd youngest out of six children. We had to stop arguing over the little things. We began to understand what family meant. It wasnt about material things any more, there was a bond that couldnt be broken, stated Ballard.
His mothers death didnt stop him from setting and attaining goals. I remember when I was 12 my mom told me I was going to be rich someday, said Ballard. Little things like that stuck with him and Ballard went on to become the Central Region Representative for the school district of Philadelphia's City wide student government and the CEO of the schools student body while at William Penn High School.
Shes now my guardian angel, said Ballard. Everything I accomplish I owe to her, she has and will continue to give me the strength I need to achieve great things.
This is only the start of Ballards journey. He hopes to become highly active in student government and NAACP at MU. He also hopes he could start a debate team, I was involved in many things in high school and debating is something that I love to do, stated Ballard.
Being from a big family Ballard receives a lot of support from his brothers and sisters. Without my family I dont know if I would have had the drive and ambition. My family is my support system.
Ballard will start classes at MU this month in hopes of achieving not only his dream, but also his mothers.
Is this the fault of capitalism that emphasizes wealth accumulation as a means to "better oneself" or should we put the blame on the players involved?
MILLERSVILLE Pa., August 9, 2005 Cory Ballard, an incoming freshman at Millersville University of Pennsylvania, has not had a typical childhood. Facing his fathers jail time and his mother being diagnosed with HIV and then dying of AIDS when he was 16, Ballard has overcome adversity and strives to graduate college and attend law school at either Yale or Northwestern University.
Ballard is the 2nd youngest out of six children. We had to stop arguing over the little things. We began to understand what family meant. It wasnt about material things any more, there was a bond that couldnt be broken, stated Ballard.
His mothers death didnt stop him from setting and attaining goals. I remember when I was 12 my mom told me I was going to be rich someday, said Ballard. Little things like that stuck with him and Ballard went on to become the Central Region Representative for the school district of Philadelphia's City wide student government and the CEO of the schools student body while at William Penn High School.
Shes now my guardian angel, said Ballard. Everything I accomplish I owe to her, she has and will continue to give me the strength I need to achieve great things.
This is only the start of Ballards journey. He hopes to become highly active in student government and NAACP at MU. He also hopes he could start a debate team, I was involved in many things in high school and debating is something that I love to do, stated Ballard.
Being from a big family Ballard receives a lot of support from his brothers and sisters. Without my family I dont know if I would have had the drive and ambition. My family is my support system.
Ballard will start classes at MU this month in hopes of achieving not only his dream, but also his mothers.