Hello, and welcome back to The Professional Student! I’ve been slightly absent from posting as life has been busy, but that is about to change. In the third course of my Master of Entrepreneurship in Innovation Leadership and Entrepreneurship program at WCU, Entrepreneurial Feasibility Analysis, students have been tasked with a book reflection assignment.
The book I’ve chosen, Americana, A 400-Year History of American Capitalism, by Bhu Srinivasan, is written from the author’s perspective as a young child who immigrated to the United States from India. As I began reading the book, one thing that jumped out to me during the introduction was that while the freedoms afforded to the citizens of the United States are nice, the reason why people decide to make a move is to take advantage of the many different ways and opportunities there are to make money.
Bhu describes his childhood living in India during the 80s with his parents, who both had college educations, and he recalls the fact that his family did not have a car. They couldn’t afford it despite his parent’s education and jobs. Having a car, which is something almost every American household has, wasn’t possible. However, they could afford a new refrigerator, which was delivered to their house on a cart pulled by an ox.
Reading and learning about Bhu’s upbringing in India makes me appreciate what most Americans take for granted, such as owning a car, internet access, utilities, smartphones, etc. Many things considered normal are actually luxuries, and I have always had this mentality. Anything extra beyond basic living necessities is a luxury, and self reflecting on that statement can do everyone some good during this difficult time of inflated costs. I didn’t grow up with cable television, internet access at home, or a cell phone. Entertainment was found outside, and I am grateful having been raised as probably one of the last generations to experience life before technology took over.
I clearly remember the day I purchased my first cellphone at almost 20. I was at Fort Lee, Virginia, learning my job skills for the Army. Camera phones had just come out, and it was a Samsung flip phone. I enjoyed it until it got taken away by a Drill Sergeant because I wasn’t supposed to have it during part of my military training! A lot has changed, and I think the newer generation of military folks are allowed to have cell phones.
Thanks for stopping by The Professional Student. I hope you enjoyed the beginning of my book reflection, and please don’t forget to like, comment, or reblog.
References
Srinivasan, B. (2018). Americana: A 400-year history of American capitalism. Penguin Press.
Innovative Leadership and Entrepreneurship: A Graduate Student's Perspective 