American Education

by Joseph N. Abraham, M.D.

Throughout our history, we have glorified the American Dream. We tell the stories, often the stories of our own families, of people who gave up everything precious to them, so that their children might live a better life. These families suffer poverty, privation, work at dangerous jobs, live in dangerous neighborhoods, give up all luxuries, so that their children might have better.

And always, always, that provision places education foremost.

There are those who say the cornerstone of America is the Constitution, our laws, our government. I disagree.

These are not America, only the defenders of America. Our country, above all else, are these parents who sacrifice everything to build their families, and improve their lot– because in so doing, they build America, and improve our world. So the Latina mother living in a slum, working three jobs at minimum wages, is as American as any of the heroes of our history books. She isn’t pursuing the American Dream; she is the Dream

So where does it go wrong? How is that this is every individual’s dream, but not our unified dream? We write our American myths about individuals who struggle for their children, but when we tally our votes to create a government that is entrusted with embodying and protecting our dream, how is it that the Dream itself is lost?

As individuals, we say that what is most precious to us is our children, and their education. But somehow, we when supposedly speak with one voice, education and children are given a minimal priority.

We all know the answer: it’s us. We haven’t drawn a line in the sand. We haven’t demanded that our elected official take care of our Dream, and our children, first.

We have allowed big donors, and corporations, the military, government bureaucracy, and special interest groups to get ahead of us in line. We haven’t made it clear that we want great schools. We haven’t insisted that children– my children, your children, all children– are to come before everything else.

We have to insist that our government begin living up to the American Dream.

About the Author:

Joseph N. Abraham MD is founder of The Acadiana Educational Endowment and booksXYZ.com, the Nonprofit Bookstore sending all proceeds to Education. booksXYZ.com lists over 2,000,000 paperbacks, hardbacks, and audio books. Dr. Abraham has written the book Happiness: A Physician/Biologist Looks at Life, an engaging self help book.