Severed Opportunity

In America, success is usually described as wealth.  Whoever has the most money, the best job and the most toys is usually considered to be successful.  It is a common mentality that this status can be attained through working hard and determination. Yet despite the common sayings, few people actually attain this goal.  The majority of the people in America strive to attain this goal, but in the end few make it because they were not educated or were prevented an opportunity because of their race. 

            Education is everything.  These days, without a college degree, it is difficult to locate and obtain a job that pays well.  With this in mind, people who have the opportunity to go to college fair much more well than the people who cannot.  People who cannot afford to go to college often end up working risky manual labor jobs or something that pays minimum wage.  Education severely limits you economic opportunity.  Yet is that the only factor?

            In Bambara’s story, Sugar makes the statement, “equal chance to pursue happiness means an equal crack at the dough” (270).  While this is true in the American sense, this idea can be hindered because of race or belief.  In the land of equality, it is hard to believe that a person can be subjected to the chains of their race.  Quality education is seldom available to those who are not a quality schools.  In Bambara’s story, Miss Monroe makes attempts to educate the children in hopes that it will make them better people and give them more opportunities.  While education is important, their class and race has a large effect on whether they can get a quality education. 

            The only answer for the problem of racism lies in the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Through Jesus, people have been able to lay aside their racism and go to countries of an entirely different ethnicity.  Because of the gospel, people have laid their lives down to save people who do not belong to their race. One who believes in Jesus Christ is able to look past the boundaries of race or social setting.  He is the only way to defeat the limits of social profiling and racism.

Works Cited

Bambara, Toni C. "The Lesson." Rereading America: Cultural Contexts for Critical Thinking and Writing. 8th ed. Boston: Bedford of St. Martin's, 2001. 270. Print.