Introduction
I interviewed Aaron Morales as he is a much-loved English teacher, and reminds me of myself. I was inspired by his authenticity, and I was curious to learn more about his past. Therefore, I asked questions about his childhood. I uncovered three interesting facts: his mother navigated life with dyslexia, he grew up in Southside Williamsburg and he learned the flute in 7th grade.
A Brief Biography
The life of Aaron Morales involved growing up in a socioeconomically disadvantaged area of Southside Williamsburg. Despite this, his mother was always in denial about their financial status. He describes the process of seeking public assistance, highlighting the social workers’ dismissive attitude towards him and his mother. Even with attempts to escape poverty through employment, the reduction in government aid led to more financial difficulties.
Mr. Morales’s story changed my perspective on the American Dream as it deconstructs the myth, saying it's purpose is to maintain peace instead of providing chances of success. His story highlights inequalities in America by pointing out the financial struggles he faced, and shows the hypocrisy of a dream that claims to offer opportunity for all while many suffer.
“The humid summer sun beat down onto the streets of Brooklyn as Carmen Maria Marquez gave birth to her son, Aaron Morales. Alone in the Brooklyn hospital room, just eighteen years old, she held the tiny life in her hands. Her tears, a mix of emotions, mirrored the uncertainty of her future. The name listed as the father on the birth certificate, now just a figure to be considered a sperm donor, disappeared when faced with the weight of the situation. And so, the boy grew up in the spirited roads of Southside Williamsburg.”
By: Denzel Ram