| We have come to expect that ghetto babies will | | | | knowledge. Remember, to change anything we |
| grow up and die as ghetto adults. We seldom see | | | | must first admit that we are there. |
| any stories in the media about people who never | | | | When the media tells the ghetto to riches stories |
| raise above their ghetto existence. A large | | | | they should de-emphasize the life style aspect |
| number of people born in a ghetto grow up and | | | | and emphasize the ignorance to knowledge |
| live decent lives. Many make it to a middle-class | | | | aspect of the story. I know that this would |
| life style. However, these people are just as | | | | change the whole intent (to perpetuate the land |
| un-news worthy as those that never leave the | | | | of opportunity myth) of the story. But, it could |
| ghetto. The rages to riches stories are presented | | | | actually be helpful to less successful people to |
| by the media as proof of the possibilities for | | | | know that the main difference between them and |
| American citizens. They perpetuate the ideal that | | | | the ghetto to riches people is a lack of |
| anyone living in America can become anything he | | | | knowledge. |
| she wants to be. How often have we seen the | | | | Some people are born into rich families. Some |
| headlines: From The Ghetto To Millionaire. The | | | | people are born into poor families. The people |
| media perpetuates the ideal that anyone in | | | | born into rich families do not have to strive very |
| America can become anything he/she wants to | | | | hard to be considered a success. The people born |
| because it not only makes us feel good about our | | | | into a poor family must work extremely hard to |
| Country; it makes America look good to the rest | | | | go from ghetto to riches. It can be done, but |
| of the World. The ideal says to the World that | | | | they must understand that the hard work begins |
| America is the land of opportunity. See! | | | | with a pursuit of knowledge. Deciding what you |
| Most of the ghetto to riches stories involves | | | | want to become is not as important as |
| entertainers and athletes. Even though poor | | | | understanding that to become good at anything |
| people realize that everyone can not become | | | | you must acquire the necessary tools to perform |
| entertainers or athletes, they exalt these people | | | | on a higher level. |
| and exhaust their energies fantasizing about living | | | | Knowledge begins with gaining knowledge of the |
| such a life style. When they need to be | | | | self. I am not suggesting that one has to go to a |
| developing their minds, they waste their efforts in | | | | place of worship or adhere to any particular |
| trying to acquire what they think are the symbols | | | | religion. What I am suggesting is that we must |
| of a successful life style. Those that can get the | | | | form a relationship with a power that is bigger |
| $100 dollar tennis, the gold jewelry, and maybe | | | | than ourselves. You can call it God, the Universe, |
| even a used BMW. Unfortunately, the symbols do | | | | or the Divine Force. What is important is that we |
| nothing to change their actual state of being. This | | | | develop the connection and the understanding that |
| is way I feel that stories displaying the life style | | | | this higher power not only put us here, but it put |
| of entertainers and athletes do more harm than | | | | us here for a purpose. It is this understanding that |
| good. | | | | can truly put us on the path from ghetto to |
| Every so often we will see stories about a person | | | | riches. Being in America certainly increases our |
| who came from the ghetto and made it to the | | | | chances of becoming successful. But, we must |
| point at which they could create their own | | | | understand that just being here is not enough to |
| business and became rich. Such stories could | | | | move us forward. If that was the case there |
| actually be helpful if they were not presented as | | | | would not be such a large number of poor people |
| rages to riches stories. A key ingredient is being | | | | living here. You can become a success in America. |
| left out when such stories are presented this | | | | You will succeed with determination, |
| way. For the stories to be helpful they need to | | | | steadfastness, and action. Most importantly, you |
| be presented as from ignorance to knowledge | | | | will succeed with self-knowledge and the |
| stories. Before anyone gets offended, let me | | | | knowledge that your higher power not only wants |
| make clear that I am not using the term | | | | you to have abundance, but will also guide your |
| ignorance in a negative sense. Here, ignorance | | | | journey to achieve the life you want to live. |
| simply means to be unaware or to have a lack of | | | | |