OK, here’s something funny – and not funny “ha-ha” (because apparently, funny is not my thing), but funny interesting. I realize tonight that I am a victim of positivity and optimism. Is that really bad, though? Well, most of us would jump to the conclusion that it is not – and I’ll agree; but, I think we need to all throw in a smidgen of reality and humility into our thoughts.

I realize that it’s not always easy to pick a single topic, like this one, and write about it regularly. But the thing is the link between poverty and lack of education never gets old. And, not only that: it doesn’t seem to go away!

Someone mentioned to me the other day that the Lemon Tree can, at times, be a little depressing... and it can be! On the other hand, there are so many great stories of hope through the connectors and conductors like George Brown College, Life is good, and RONA. Despite the best efforts of these great organizations, poverty seems to be growing – thanks, in large part, to the current economic situation.

I read a few articles and heard a few news reports over the past couple of days – on two fronts. Let’s start with the first tonight:

Take a look at this YouTube video from Hoyes Michalos, Trustees in Bankruptcy. It appears that the cost of education in Canada (and, my guess is, in the US too) can sometimes be prohibitive to prosperity. So, the challenge isn’t only about providing educational opportunities that are accessible, but also that are affordable. Sounds to me like the system of higher education may, itself, have a case of dyslexia for numbers (also known as dyscalculia)...

Education is not a right, it is a privilege, you say? OK, but is it a privilege for the privileged or is it a privilege for those who work hard, believe in education and truly learn such as straight A students?

You remember Nichole and her family, right? The original inspiration for the Lemon Tree taking root.

Nichole’s oldest nephew, Steven is a straight A student... Yup, the boy – 15 now – wakes himself up at 6am to get himself ready for school. (No one else has the motivation...) He goes to school and studies; he comes home and does his homework. Like every 15-year old boy, he has his moments of rebellion, but overall he is a good kid, by all measures of the term. I mean, how many 15-year olds do you know make their own breakfast before school? His motivation: NOT repeating the cycle of poverty. Steven has hope! He wants to become a criminal scene investigator (CSI). He likes puzzles and really weird biology stuff; and he’s good at it. His potential is amazing.

But, what if the cost of education is too high? What if he can’t get a scholarship? And though there is always social funding to turn to, it is likely going to take him to Community College – which is absolutely acceptable; but, if you were destined to go to an institution like the Ohio State University, you might question (and perhaps lose hope with) an alternative.

Should we tell Steven that his post-secondary education is a privilege?