America the Land of Opportunity?
Who doesn’t love a great story of how from nothing something great was born. The famous hip-hop artist Drake said it best “Started from the Bottom now we’re here”. I want to talk about a couple of real stories that happened to real people. Anheuser, and Busch bear co, AT&T, and Google. Now these are all very successful businesses that have changed, and shaped the path that America is on today. Now what do these random three businesses have in common? They were all started in the United states, by immigrants.
Eberhard Anheuser left his job as a soap manufacturer in Germany to follow his passion to brew beer in America. He eventually persuaded William D’Oench to by his bankrupted company, so he could continue his dream. Eventually the Stable Beer company was the first to use a mechanical refrigeration during transport, making it one of the freshest, and coolest beers on the market of that day. This all started because one man, Eberhard Anheuser, had a dream that started in Germany, but took flight in America.
American Telephone and Telegraph Company or known today as AT&T, was started by the infamous Alexander Graham Bell. Having a passion to help the speech, and hearing impaired Alexander traveled from Scotland to pursue his passion. He of course is known for the first ever phone, and phone call. He traveled all over the world to various Universities to gain knowledge in this field, but it was not until he reached America that he started a phone company that would begin the monopoly of communication. Other phone companies today taken flight because of the path that was set before them, from a Scottish born immigrant named Alexander Graham Bell.
Last but defiantly not least, Google Inc. It was founded by Larry Page, and Sergey Brin who were students attending Stanford University. Now Sergey Brin, is an immigrant who came to America for computer science, and is known today as an internet entrepreneur. He was given this opportunity from his parents who brought him over, and gave him the education that allowed him to come to such greatness. Brin is known for his eagerness to learn, and gain knowledge. He never missed an opportunity to better himself and ultimately inventing one of the most useful tools to the entire world. Thanks to his immigrant parents who gave him this opportunity.
Now I would not be the first one to say America is known as the land of Opportunity. Cleary these men took advantage of the opportunities that were laid in front of them. America has economic stability, and unlimited educational resources. Of course these three examples did not just fall into the laps of these immigrants. These paths were full of winds, and twists. Language barriers, racial oppression, and business competition takes place in all three of these stories. Even today these companies are all apart of rat race that has no end in sight. These three men, however stuck to their compassions, and ended out on top.
Now immigration has been a huge topic in these last couple months aligning up with the last election. Also including the short term band that was just put into actions a couple weeks ago. Has America taken a different turn on the issues of immigrants? Our president Donald trump is very well known business man, who has made several millions despite his losses in some areas, such as certain casinos in Atlantic city. However, being the business man he is today, his he considering running the United States as a business? He even said it himself during his campaign that he is going to higher people that know what they are doing, and not politicians. His never ending campaign slogan, “Make America Great Again”. I wonder if he considers the 1800’s-1900’s the great America. Because, according to those three stories there were three opportunities given to three immigrants who were not U.S. citizen.
Now I personally do not agree with how our president conducts himself, however he is still very much my president. Also, when I see him attack, if you will, the out of date immigrant laws, and situations, to me that is our president doing his best or what he thinks is the best for our country. I am not a president, nor would I ever aspire to be. I have no clue what moves I would make on certain issues such as this. When I consider these three stories, it is almost impossible to compare to the modern day America. They were different times back then, however it haunts me that we Americans the home of the land of opportunity, may be responsible for taking away the opportunities, that we have had in the past. In my perfect world, America would be open to anyone, and especially anyone’s dreams. It is almost impossible for me to relate to this issues with passion that others might have. I personally do not feel the impact that the travel band, that trump enforced, has on so many people’s lives.
All I know are the facts, the moment America wavers from giving out opportunity to not just Americans, but everyone, is the moment that we lose our greatness. Has American forgot that they were founded, and created with 100% immigrants. Our founding fathers put equal rights to all men are created equal in our constitutions. Where have are morals gone? It makes me sick to think that there may be the next great entrepreneur somewhere out there, but we won’t let them into America. I want to leave with one more thought that baffles me to this day. If you are a certified life guard, and you are off duty, dressed in your Sunday bests. All of a sudden you see someone drowning in the distance. Are you obligated to save that person’s life? Are you, or is it perfectly fine for you to call for help, or stay the distance? It always surprises me the answers I get. America has the resources for greatness, now how are we going to let the rest of the world use them?