who insisted that these clothes are out of style. Suddenly, parachute pants disappear off of store racks and hairstyles change in a matter of weeks. Now, bell-bottoms are cool and short hair is the hot new style for girls. Who will come along and tell us that this is no longer hip? Reality may seem too complicated to compare to parachute pants so let us dive deeper. Let’s compare two kids: a boy from Ethiopia and a boy from Beverly Hills. The parents of the California native taught him that happiness is about money and materials. They always said, “Son, if you ever want to be happy, you have to be successful and make a lot of money.” Not surprisingly, the boy believes that the world is all about money. He wants the finest clothes and most extravagant gifts. Through their language, his parents have created a reality for the boy. Every time the young boy sees a person that is poor, he quickly assumes that he or she is also not happy. I happen to know many people who are not blessed financially, but they are some of the happiest people in the world. We are going to Ethiopia now. We understand this country to be poor and disadvantaged. The young boy from Ethiopia, believe it or not, is very happy with his life. He spends his days frolicking with his brothers and sisters. He has no worries and he has everything he needs. His parents always say, “Son, money is the root of all evil and being rich is not important.” Ultimately, the boy believes that rich people are evil, because they have so much money. The Ethiopian boy’s reality is very different than the boy from California. One centers his life around money while the other has no regard for the uses of money. Neither reality is better or right, only different. What parents say to their kids has such a strong influence on a child’s view of the world. Language shapes all aspects of our lives. Why do reporters have the privilege...
