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Are poor Americans really just incompetent idiots?

posted 4 years ago by KD637 (488)
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So here's why I ask: A friend of a friend moved to America from Serbia some 10 years ago. He barely knew the language at first and got a job as a truck driver. Now he has his own trucking company worth millions. And he said that you literally have to be an idiot not to succeed in America.

And his success story is not the only one I know. As a matter of fact, I don't know a single story of someone from here going to America and not succeeding, at least in relative terms. I know a guy who was literally mentally impaired, didn't even finish elementary school, moved to NY, worked there as a taxi driver, saved some money and came back as a rich man.

Then there are plenty of celebrity examples one of which is a famous artist in my country who's brother is friends with my dad. The guy illegally moved to America in the late 80s, worked first as a bouncer, then as a bodyguard only to later find himself in photography and sculpting, became a millionare, hung out with hollywood celebrities.

Tommy Wiseau, the director of The Room. Not really the sharpest tool in the shed, and yet he already got rich before making his movie and despite his movie being the worst thing ever, it payed off.

But the American perspective seems to be quite different. People having the privilege of being born in it constantly complain about the economic inequality and claim that it's impossible for them to succeed due to being born poor or even due to their skin color. So how can I from my perspective draw any other conclusion than that Americans, black or white, are simply spoiled, and when a hard working humble person from a country where life is truly hard comes there he does what it takes to succeed because he knows how much worse it can be.

[–] Keelai (31990) 4 years ago

Most poor people have given up and won't try. They tend to stay in their own countries and are resigned to their fate.

You're comparing immigrants with ALL Americans including the poor who have given up. Immigrants tend to want a better life and are more motivated to have one in a new country. They are the creme of the creme. For instance, Indian immigrants do very well. They tend to be better educated, middle-class backgrounds and more ambitious than those left behind in India where poverty exists.

Different skill sets are needed to move up. It's not just about working hard. A seamstress can work 12 hours 6-days ea. week, but remain in poverty. Learning new skills may not be available or they may not be aware of them. Being poor, middle-class and rich require different skills.

Don't underestimate discrimination! Those doors are nailed shut if you're not the "right" gender, race, religion, age, etc.

Finally, not all immigrants become rich. There are many who struggle and will remain poor stuck in dead-end jobs. But, they're hoping their children will live the American dream.