The Pact

I just got done reading the book, The Pact. It is about three doctors who came from inner-city Newark, NJ and while in high school they made a pact to go to college and then medical school together. They were able to do this through an affirmative action program at Seaton Hall College--proof that affirmative action is necessary until our society will educate all equally. As I am reading the book, all I can think about is all of my friends who were raised in similar or worse situations. Why is it that some young people are able to avoid the suduction of the streets, and others sucome to it? The smartest man I have ever met never graduated from high school and was dead by the age of 22--and you must remember that I have a graduate degree and hang out with people with PhDs. I am a firm believer that nurture (or environment) can overide nature. But I also know, and have witnessed, that positive influences can make all the difference. This book shows how important it is in the life of a child that they be challenged academically, praised for the positive, and provided with positive people to show that negative behavior is not necessary to be successful--give a positive view of what success is. I know I am where I am because I had a dream...to be a social worker (not to mention the stable family and excellent education). It is not always important for the dream to be a vocation, but a young person has to be allowed to dream, and dream big. When the time comes that a kid does not think there is anything to dream of or for, that is when the negative will take over. Unfortunately, if a kid is poor, of color, or lives in a certain neighborhood, society does not give them a chance to dream. Programs like the one the doctors particpated in provided something to dream of. Take a moment and encourage a kid to dream...remind them they can do anything! And then read this book to give you some more inspiration to share with them. Peace and blessings, Lauren