Inner City deterioration and personal responsibility

As could be seen during class last Thursday, I have a strong view on the responsibility of individuals and society as a whole with relation to assistance, aid, development and education. While I understand that the Inner Cities of the United States are in dire straights and it will take the help of many to overcome the problems that plague these areas, I am cognizant of the fact that personal responsibility is something that seriously needs to be nurtured.

By this I mean that we as a people must understand that times and culture change. We must make personal choices in our lives to adapt to our situation. I reject the idea that someone cannot overcome obstacles placed in the way simply because of the social structure around them. When things are terrible it lies with us to make the hard and right choices to move forward. By doing so, and leading by example, then society as a whole is much more able and willing to assist these depressed areas. Government has a place in all this, but it is not the final answer. Government should focus on the fundamentals and foster hard work and education in the inner city so that the social obstacles can be overcome.

I am a product of various obstacles. While I didn't live in the inner city, I faced many of the same familial and social roadblocks while growing up. I made the decisions to overcome this very early in my life - at the age of 12. While my situation may not exactly reflect that of inner city society, it is a very strong indicator of what one can do with the right attitude.