Our Turn Column: Is America really the land of "equal opportunity"?

Kalamazoo Gazette staff By Kalamazoo Gazette staff The Kalamazoo Gazette
Follow on Twitter
on May 21, 2011 at 8:29 AM
Olivia Reed.jpgOlivia Reed
By Olivia Reed

In America, people can dream big, work hard and be successful. Nevertheless, even though America has been called the land of opportunity, it doesn't mean the opportunities are equal for everyone.

People often speak of the American Dream where all Americans can achieve success regardless of their background. But the idea that all Americans have equal opportunities to reach what they aspire for is truly just a dream.

The opportunities available to people are different based on where they live. Growing up in a small town or a big city changes the activities available. It would be hard to become a Broadway actor if a student doesn't have a performing arts school nearby or many opportunities to perform in quality productions.

Where you live can also change the level of competition. A person is more likely to have a better chance at landing a job in a small town, being the big fish in a small pond rather than a small fish in a big pond.

The quality of a job can be affected by socioeconomic status as well. Being wealthier can provide a better education, connections, and extracurricular activities. The quality of teachers would be better which could lead to getting into a better college.

The connections people have can provide them with more job opportunities. Kids could participate in more sports or clubs. Not everyone will have the chance to try a variety of activities. Since there aren't equal opportunities in education, connections or activities, it's hard to say the United States is the land of equal opportunity.

The United States has also struggled with equal opportunities depending on race, gender, sexual orientation, age and ethnicity. There has been a great improvement over the years, but people's minds can't be controlled. As long as there is still discrimination, equal opportunity won't be reached.

In America, impossible dreams can become a reality. It just may be harder for some to reach them.

Olivia Reed is a senior at Plainwell High School.

Amber Emmons.jpgAmber Emmons

By Amber Emmons

Millions of people immigrate to America every year hoping for a better life. While America is the land of equal opportunity, it's fair to say that people with money have always had an easier time here. I honestly believe that America is a land where dreams come true to all who really want to be on top.

The American Dream has always been a concept since the founding of America. Although times have changed, our dreams to be on top and to be safe and secure have stayed consistent.

People have come here to make a better life and many of them have succeeded. Albert Einstein, who won the Nobel Prize for physics in 1921, was visiting the United States in 1933 when Hitler came to power in his native Germany. He stayed here and became a citizen in 1940.

Joseph Pulitzer emigrated from Hungary and moved his way up to the top in editing and marketing leaving behind the most pronounced journalistic award, the Pulitzer Prize.

Frances Cabrini was sent from Italy to America to help people and started off with nothing. Then, she ended up creating 67 schools, hospitals, and orphanages until she was canonized in 1946 to become the first American saint. For the most part, these people came from a country with restrictions to grow in America and they are the perfect examples of how equal opportunity works here.

Our country was founded on the equal opportunity idea and it continues to flourish because of it. We are so diverse because of how many people came here looking for a better life and found it because they worked hard.

There are people who don't deserve the positions they have but there's nothing we can do about people born into money or connections. All we can do is work hard and know we have just as much of a chance to achieve success as everyone else in this country.

But, if you expect to become something by sitting around, then good luck because you'll be sitting around for a long time.

Amber Emmons is a senior at Allegan High School.

Tom Stankewicz.jpgTom Stankewicz

By Tom Stankewicz

America is still a land of equal opportunity. However, it is no longer the land with the most equal opportunity. America has been surpassed by other nations willing to spend the money to equalize the opportunities.

Certainly, opportunities exist for all in America. Americans can achieve the highest levels of wealth and power no matter their race, ethnicity, religion or class. The chances are certainly skewed demographically in favor of the wealthy, but the opportunities are available.

However, America is lagging behind other developed countries in equalizing the opportunities. According to Time magazine, the United States ranks 10th on the index of prosperity, which measured material wealth and quality of living.

The top countries are all Scandinavian. What these countries have in common is universal free education, including college. Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland fund their higher education through taxation, not tuition.

One of the keys to financial success is undoubtedly a college education. The fact that these countries offer a free college education to anyone over 18 is a big step toward equal opportunity.

Not being able to afford college prevents underprivileged youth from gaining financial success. Instead, America relies on the idea of rugged individualism. If you want a college education in America, you have to go out and earn it.

The United States promotes self-reliance and competition to achieve success. Yes, financial aid and other programs help make education available, but it is still up to the individual.

While the playing field is not as level as in Scandinavian countries, the opportunity for advancement is still available to all. America is indeed a land of equal opportunity when compared to the majority of the world, but perhaps further equalizing goes against fundamental American values of competition in a capitalist society.

Capitalism thrives on allowing individuals to either sink or swim. Does America really want to emulate Europe in a shift toward bigger government with higher taxes just to equalize its citizens economically?

Tom Stankewicz is a senior at Loy Norrix High School.
