They came from two different continents and four different countries. One had fled war, another left as a wall fell, and two of them via the visa lottery simply to make a better life for themselves.
The first was born in the old soviet union in the early 60’s and came to the country after the fall of the wall. He went to school and worked hard finally finding himself wearing a ranger’s badge on the Boston Common. He talked about saving his money and educating his children and the appreciation of life in America. He didn’t always agree with his adopted country but it made a better life for him and his family
The second came from Ghana. Driving an overnight shift he talked about how he was able to support his family and make a life for his kids. He drove long hours but felt the rewards and the possibilities were great as long as his children took the time to take advantage of them and stayed true to God.
The driver from Eritrea
The fourth came from Ethiopia and eloquently told of his life, His two children were grown now one married and one not. He talked of the 16 hour days he worked both driving cab and in a small variety store he ran. He expressed his disgust as he
An amazing man from Ethiopia
Their stories all wound through different path that led to America but they shared so many traits, hard work, a desire to make their lives better, stressing education , responsibility and thrift to their children and simple amazement, particularly of young Americans who neither understood or appreciated the opportunity that is their birthright. They were determined that their children would know and understand the great gift granted them, to live a life in a land where they could even in bad times reach their full potential if only they were willing to do it.
They had one other thing in common. All of them expressed support for the tea party movement. None of them marched or held a sign or rallied, but their pursuit of the American Dream taught them those same values that millions were marching for. Every man and woman who spoke at a rally would have heard and approved of their stories, the details were different but the ending was the same. Their story is the story of America at its best.
