As orientation and the start of graduate school approaches, I have become more aware of the differences that contribute to being labeled a "have" or a "have-not". I am not a firm believer in the idea that people either have everything or have nothing. I do believe that with the economy and the rising rates of unemployment, it's clear that there are people in society that will struggle all of their lives in order to have a glimpse of the so called "American Dream". Now that I am beginning a 5 year journey that will help me accumulate 120,000 dollars in debt, I am beginning to focus my attention on simply learning how to maintain and live on very little money. While I used to focus on accruing money or acquiring things that would make me look at least somewhat like everyone else, I have come to realize that this was the last year, for 5 years, that I will be able to buy myself anything that doesn't have to do with my education. Although I am not a materialistic person, I am now understanding that I will not have financial wiggle room for a considerable stretch of time and am concerned about my future. My concern for my future has come from the fear that my very expensive education will not do for me what it might have done 10 years ago. This has come to light in different social settings and really came into focus yesterday-at a sporting event.
During the water polo tournament it was striking to me that there was such an ethnic difference between the competing teams. And, that the families that had the nicest gear, best cars, and who had the most team swag where all white, middle to upper class families. Needless to say, I was surprised at the drastic difference. When I turned to my partner, who was an All-American water polo player, he smiled and told me how common it is to see color and economic disparities at athletic tournaments throughout the country. For my partner who was raised in East LA and played water polo all of his life, being Mexican and playing against an all white team seemed normal. What it said to me was that there is an obvious dissimilarity between the two groups that shouldn't be there. The one positive thing I found in this was a love for children and a desire to see them succeed in both communities. However, aside from that positive note, this tournament was a real life depiction of the haves and the have-nots. It got me thinking.
Sitting in the stands, watching 10 year-olds play water polo, I thought to myself. What kind of parent will I be? What will my child be like? How well will I be able to provide for them? All of these questions come back to my education and how much it will be worth once I am a practicing psychologist at the ripe old age of 27. Being as I hope to have children and marry my current partner, I can only imagine what side of the crumbling bridge me and my family will be on. As I work toward being a "have", my education, family and my partner have contributed to the realization that just because I am used to being a "have-not" does not mean that I cannot be a "have". And if I become a "have", I can use my resources to help those that need it the most- those who are in my position now.
Awaiting scholarship responses.....
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