At the start of “Carlos doesn’t remember” by Revisionist History Malcolm Gladwell sits down with a young boy who he calls Carlos. Carlos starts off by answering Gladwell’s questions and informs us about an interest of his. For instance mathematics although it may be his interest carlos exceeded on every other subject granting him a scholarship to a really good private school in California. As the podcast goes Gladwell undoubtedly is convinced of carlos not only attending college of his choosing but, accomplishing great things as well. Gladwell praises the idea because he says “this is what civilized society are suppose do to provide opportunities to people to make the most of their abilities.” Gladwell then adds “if you are born poor, you can move up and if you work hard you can improve your life.”It is not always the case though you see Gladwell does make a fair about that fact that the non rich community is in a disadvantage. Kids like carlos do not have much of options like the higher class kids anything that happens it affects the lower classes more than the upper. For instance carlos had the opportunity to attend a prestigious high school up in connecticut. Carlos then declined the offer still wanting attend due to the fact that the mother had convinced carlos to stay and care for her and for his little sister. As Carlos and his little sister Alina get separated from the mother both get separated from each other as well being put into foster homes with more than 4 children under same roof. It is not just Carlos and Alina more and more lower class children go through the same thing. That’s what Gladwell argues that these many that majority of these kids are set up for failure because off the lack of opportunity that is given luckily for Carlos and Alina both were able to escape the horror.
According to Gladwell in order to get into these types of school you will need a high ranking advocate with an extended amount of connections. Without the help of these Advocates many children do not get the same opportunity as the rich kids do. Erik Eisner A former big shot entertainment lawyer now founder of an organization called YES that helps public school kids. Eisner who has been doing it for twenty years scouts out the promising kids like carlos that have better test scores and grades and assist them in getting into private schools. It is very warming the fact such organization exists because it is not the fault of the child in where they have been placed in life. It is the sad truth the world we live in is built in where the rich is favored and only a small percentage of the lower class makes it to the top.
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