first draft of AWOL assignment 3

Aja Hanna
October 10, 2008
Americans do an average of 13 years of school, which can be considered as a major part of life. However when I asked a middle age white business man what did he think the American way of life was, he replied “Everything in this country is about money, however wealth and greed is ruining whatever this country has left.” This was a surprising answer, because he looked like a wealthy man himself. He failed to mention what it took to become wealthy, or how much work it takes. When I asked a middle age Hispanic man the same question a couple of minutes later, he basically said “stay in school, it will help you a lot later on in life.” According to the middle age Hispanic man, having a good education will lead me to a better life, while the rich white man believes that wealth is the only thing that Americans need. He doesn’t think that an education may be the best thing to lead us to wealth, but it is something that all Americans try to obtain.
While talking to my high school principle Mr. Fanning, I saw his view on education in America and how he thinks it affects the American way of life. Even though as a young adult he chose his passion of music over education, he has since realized how his education has benefitted him. By getting an English degree, he has obtained this career which he loves. It may have not really been his dream, but it has become “his life”, and he wouldn’t trade it in for anything else. The first man I interviewed thought that America was mainly about obtaining wealth, while Mr. fanning believes that it’s about getting an education in something you love. Even though he did love music, and made a lot of money doing it, he also sees that his current life is more practical.