C Wright Mills The Promise Analysis

Superior Essays
After reading, “The Promise” from C. Wright Mills’ The Sociological Imagination, I believe that Mills’ message is that no one’s problems are unique and because you have them that does not make you special. This seems like a harsh interpretation of his words but let me explain. Mills implies that what you are going through may seem like you are the only one in that situation, but once you look around and pay attention, you will notice that other people are dealing with the same troubles. The overall theme of the passage was that to understand your own personal troubles you must look at it in greater context of public issues. That circumstances like a failing marriage, losing your job, or being without a home are not simply personal troubles …show more content…
Being the second eldest meant I had a lot of responsibility both visible and invisible to my younger siblings. In the visible sense I had to make sure they did not get into any trouble and they did what was told to them. Those responsibilities were easy; the invisible responsibilities were the harder ones to account for. The responsibilities of setting a good example, making sure they are on the right path, and instilling in them the same values that were instilled in me. As I grew up I tried my best to make sure I held myself accountable for any time my siblings got out of line because my mom was always working and it appeared I was left to fill in the blanks. I did the best I could in most areas but I found education would be the best avenue to showcase proper values and ways to go about …show more content…
I did not receive a scholarship, but I knew that college was the best way to show my siblings that they needed a higher education. I also knew that my mom was not going to be able to pay for me to go to college, or for my siblings to attend when it was their time. I could not believe that after all I had tried to do with schooling was going to be cut short because I simply could not afford a higher education. Nonetheless, I pushed through, I went a different route and I still made it to San Jose State University. It took me a while to get there but I made it. I made it by taking out loans and entering debt. I was convinced that most of the population that were receiving higher education could afford it, but it was not until I arrived that I realized that more people were dealing with the same circumstance as I. Some people that I have encountered are first generations of their families to go to college, they are trying to pave the way for their younger siblings as well, and they too are in debt because of

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