U.S.A., Land of Limitations? Nicholas Kristof

Argument
Blogger for the New York Times, Nicholas Kristof, argues that depending on the environment you were born into and grew up in, limits your success in life.

Throughout his article, Kristof states his main idea that those who come from a family with a high income, will also have a high income later in life due to the advantages that they have coming from a middle or upper class family. However, those who live in a family with a low income, and are from the lower class, will have a low income in their future just like their family members. Kristof mentions that people who grow up in certain situations, tend to follow the same paths as their elders. Although that may be true, I believe that you can still be successful and reach a higher income than what you were raised in, as long as they try in life. Of course, like Kristof points out, those who are not available to certain opportunities, like going to school, are most likely not going to reach a higher income. 

I believe that with his article, Kristof is trying to get across to people that we must help those who live in poverty. Especially the children because the kids who live in poverty are members of the future generation. Kristof states at the end of his article that this is "...what the presidential candidates should be discussing". This is an important statement because it is a major issue and we must not forget about those who live in poverty. Those who forget about these members of society are those who life in the middle and upper classes and have a steady income and multiple opportunities. Successful members of our society, especially our future leaders, must help the lower income society members in order to help give them a brighter future than the one they believe they will have,

Points to Share:

Nicholas Kristof talks about his good friend, Rick Goff, who is an example of somebody who grew up in a low income environment but later became successful on his own. Kristof mentions Goff because it is proof that those who come from low income families can also be successful just like those who have a high income. I believe that Kristof is trying to prove to others that it is important to help those who live in poverty because they are not a lost cause, they just need support and to know that they can also achieve success, middle/upper class, and high income. 

About Me

I have four sisters: Lily (11), Jillian (25), me (18), Jenna (27), and Emma (8). Jillian and Jenna are my half sisters (we share the same mom) and Lily and Emma are also my half sisters (we share the same dad). But I consider all four of them my full sisters.

This past summer I spent everyday with my four best friends. Alyssa (far left), Marissa, and Kaiya (far right). We did everything together because it was the last summer before heading off to college. Alyssa and I stayed local to our hometown, Cumberland, her at CCRI and me at RIC, while Kaiya headed off to URI and Marissa to Marymount in VA. This picture was taken the night we had to say goodbye to Marissa until Thanksgiving (pre the tears). Marissa ended up surprising us Halloween weekend. And a few months later, she told us that she was transferring to URI second semester! 

I come from a huge family. This summer we had our 10 year reunion. These are my first cousins from my mom's side. Oldest to youngest, left to right, Bethany, Jeremy, Kerri, Kara, Ryan, Jenna, Kirby, Jillian, Zachary, and me. Because we're all older and the older cousins now have their own families and some live in different states, we really enjoy the times we get to be all together, we're an Irish family so it is always tons of fun!

Although some cousins live far, my oldest cousin, Bethany, also my God mom, lives across town with her husband Ross and their two kids, Jackson, five, and Mackenzie, who just turned three. My mom, sister Jillian, and I are extremely close to them. The kids are full of energy and always keep us entertained. Mackenzie is my mini me and I'm obsessed with her and her cuteness.