Our U.S. born kids aren't hungry enough
Juan Gomez is the 18-year-old Killian High grad who received (along with his family) a 45-day deportation reprieve. His story has been extensively covered by the media, thanks to a group of incredible friends who have lobbied for him. I wrote a column about how his case is an example of the necessity to pass the DREAM Act, a bill that would enable immigrant children to stay if they attend college or serve in the armed forces.
Predictably reader response was fierce -- on both sides. I've come to expect that in the immigration debate. In fact, I have a long-running argument with friends on this very topic, and this debate does not succumb to prejudice, racism or xenophobia as so much of the arguments out there do. Nonetheless, the most ridiculous reason I've heard against the DREAM Act is that it will allow "illegals" to use the university slots that should rightfully go to our U.S.-born children.
If this is so, then our children need to get off their butts and work harder to achieve more. How many of our kids did as well as Juan Gomez in the classroom, on the AP exams and on the SAT? Some of these "illegal" students are not only better in school but also hungrier, and I'm not referring to food here. Our children need to learn to compete and work harder. If we are to succeed in the global marketplace, we better start the competition at home.
Predictably reader response was fierce -- on both sides. I've come to expect that in the immigration debate. In fact, I have a long-running argument with friends on this very topic, and this debate does not succumb to prejudice, racism or xenophobia as so much of the arguments out there do. Nonetheless, the most ridiculous reason I've heard against the DREAM Act is that it will allow "illegals" to use the university slots that should rightfully go to our U.S.-born children.
If this is so, then our children need to get off their butts and work harder to achieve more. How many of our kids did as well as Juan Gomez in the classroom, on the AP exams and on the SAT? Some of these "illegal" students are not only better in school but also hungrier, and I'm not referring to food here. Our children need to learn to compete and work harder. If we are to succeed in the global marketplace, we better start the competition at home.
posted by Ana Veciana-Suarez at 9:22 AM
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The only things that Miami or big-city kids compete with (since I even went to school) is whose more cool, dresses better, on top of the latest slang, and owns luxury items ($400 cell phone - BMW at 16).
Some of these jokers end up being like this for life.
This is simply ridiculous. It has nothing to do with work, but rather which college can grab the kid with the best 'story.' Open your eyes to the real world, Ms. Suarez, and stop being so obtuse. The only potential for the DREAM act is filtering out our own kids' dreams. What about the kids that worked hard their whole life, only to have their spot taken by some kid who learned a word or two of English as they illegally took advantage of the system? LEGAL immigrants should have all rights to apply-- ILLEGAL should not. What about that word don't you understand?
It is unfortunate that all discussions of immigration issues will invariably bring out the biggots and ignorant among us. The issue is whether this particular young man should be given an opportunity to finish his education and be allowed to contribute to the welfare of this country.
The issue becomes the usual "THEY" versus "US" and how much we want "THEM" gone.
But, let's get back to you initial discussion - our children's lazyness. I think that the parents of America are to blame. Too many of them want to provide their child with positive "self esteem" whether they have done anything to earn it or not. We want to make everything easy for them and protect them from any failures. Consequently, our children are satisfied with only nominal success and have inflated egos.
This boy in particular, has earned his "self esteem" and shows that he is not afraid of a doing the required work to excel in school.
In a world where everyone in the league gets a trophy, it is refreshing to see that there are some out there that actually can achieve.
My own kids were held to different standards than what is popular, and consequently they have succeeded in school and now in the work world.
These tools are much more beneficial than the temporary "self esteem" boost that we so frequently witness.
You are right - they need to learn how to work. They need to know how to work hard if they are going to succeed.
whoever wrote the previous post, what you said has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that the immigrant is still illegal. And your whole nonsense about "they" and "them" vs. "us" is crazy. Take a look at the arguments before you blindly start preaching your idiocy. "US" includes LEGAL immigrants right alongside American born citizens; "they" are the Illegals. I don't understand why it's so hard for people to comprehend that word. as for our kids, take a look at some of the better public schools in the miami area (coral reef, palmetto) and you'll see that students there are in a tight competition with one another-schools where 15 APs is not "excelling," but is rather the norm. Our kids are doing just fine.
All those opposed to amnesty for these 2 illegal immigrants. Call your Senators. Call the House Reps. Write letters. Send faxes. All contact info is listed here for your convenience
truthmattersfa.blogspot.com
And join the facebook group www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=3997583167
Hey anonymous,
Perhaps you should go back and retake spelling with your kids since you don't know the proper spelling of the word biggot (bigot) and lazyness (laziness).
"The issue becomes the usual "THEY" versus "US" and how much we want "THEM" gone."
Yes, that is exactly the issue. We have millions of "thems" entering our country every day illegally and using our services for free. Not to mention committing crimes and destroying the border with their garbage.
Ana
Once again you've managed to conjure up a ridiculous and totally misleading argument in the illegal immigration debate. You said
"the most ridiculous reason I've heard against the DREAM Act is that it will allow "illegals" to use the university slots that should rightfully go to our U.S.-born children. If this is so, then our children need to get off their butts and work harder to achieve more."
First, let me state that I agree with your assertion that the average child in America these days is putting forth a lackluster effort and could be doing much better.
However, when you look at extremely competitive schools such as Harvard, Princeton, Cornell, and even to a lesser extent UF, it is NOT true that Juan or Alex Gomez would be taking a spot from a less deserving student (i.e. that they would be replacing someone academically "inferior" to them). Harvard last year rejected admission to roughly 40 kids who got 1600 on the SAT. That's 200 points better than Juan Gomez. So explain to me how his admission would be taking the place of someone who is academically inferior. Your argument may hold at state schools such as UCF or schools which do not have strong academic reputations, but at very selective academically strong schools, you are simply wrong.
And, there's another thing to consider. Theoretically, Alex and Juan would also get affirmative action. Therefore, their admission would actually bump them above other candidates (not black or latino) who are equal all other things considered. So once again Ana, you are totally and completely misguided.
Well stated, Truth Matters. Very well stated.
Americans are fed up with illegals claiming to be better than American kids. It's glaringly obvious that American kids excell. Just take a look at American companies and who created them like Bill Gates, Michael Dell, Warren Buffet, Oprah Winfrey. I'm still waiting to read about the Latin automobile maker, the Latin cell phone maker, the Latin cure for cancer. I won't be reading about it because there are none.
I couldn't say it better. Thank you Truth Matters. You hit the nail right on the head.
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