Higher Education Gap May Slow Economic Mobility

This article published by the New York Times by Erik Echolm criticizes the widening gap between the rich and the poor, the whites and the minorities, which could soon lead to a spiraling downturn for the poorest families that work the hardest. Although in certain areas of the United States such as Texas and California, whites are now the minority, and Mexicans the majority. Even so,researchers have found Hispanic and black Americans to be falling behind whites and Asians in earning college degrees, making it even harder for the middle class or higher. Ron Haskins, a former official and welfare expert reported that "growing differences in education levels between income and racial groups, especially in college degrees, implies that mobility will be lower in the future than it is today." Though there are several welfare families that are black and hispanic, why aren't the poor white families exposed? Why must the African-Americans and Hispanics always be stereo-typed as the people who are too poor to go to college? There is financial aid available to college students, as well as grants, loans and several scholarships that any and all races can apply for despite your economic status and color of your skin. In the article, it states that there is "some good news," that college can inforce change in "their station in life." So the minorities that are poor and can't afford college according to Erick Echolm can change their status just by attending college. According to Ms.Sawhill of the Clinton Administration, getting out of povert and going to college is "still alive for immigrants but badly tattered for African-Americans." Ms.Sawhill is obviously unaware of all the many African-Americans who once lived in poverty but made it to college and made something great out of their life. In a report by John E. Morton of the Pew Trusts, it is evident that "a majority of black children born to middle-class parents grew up to have lower incomes and that nearly half of middle-class black children fell into the bottom fifth in adulthood." Just because an African-American lives in poverty doesn't mean that they will stay in poverty. Serena and Venus Williams lived in Compton, California and they are millionaires and undefeated tennis players. They practiced in the worst neighborhoods and still managed to make history as the best female tennis players. I believe in going to college to improve yourself, but i do not agree that you have to go to college to be wealthy.