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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThis 8-Year-Old Chess Champion Will Make You Smile
This 8-Year-Old Chess Champion Will Make You SmileOvercoming lifes basic truth: Talent is universal, but opportunity is not.
By Nicholas Kristof
Opinion Columnist
March 16, 2019
"In a homeless shelter in Manhattan, an 8-year-old boy is walking to his room, carrying an awkward load in his arms, unfazed by screams from a troubled resident. The boy is a Nigerian refugee with an uncertain future, but he is beaming.
He cant stop grinning because the awkward load is a huge trophy, almost as big as he is. This homeless third grader has just won his category at the New York State chess championship.
...
Whats even more extraordinary is that Tani, as he is known, learned chess only a bit more than a year ago. His play has skyrocketed month by month, and he now has seven trophies by his bed in the homeless shelter.
...
Makofsky shook his head wonderingly. One year to get to this level, to climb a mountain and be the best of the best, without family resources, he said. Ive never seen it."
Immigrants.
"Theyre not sending you. Theyre not sending you. Theyre sending people that have lots of problems, and theyre bringing those problems with us. Theyre bringing drugs. Theyre bringing crime. Theyre rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.
Real estate mogul Donald Trump, presidential announcement speech, June 16, 2015
If this nation is ever to be truly great again it will be on the strength of its immigrants, as it always has been.
Read the rest about this kid and his family.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/16/opinion/sunday/chess-champion-8-year-old-homeless-refugee-.html
malaise
(268,930 posts)We need a good story
Thank You
DirtEdonE
(1,220 posts)I read it in the Sunday Review this morning. It really struck me as what we used to know as an inspiring story of immigrants coming to America to build a better life and a better America.
Now we have this white nationalist nazi in the White House and it is just heartbreaking. This little genius broke down in tears at their last immigration hearing when he misunderstood and thought they were going to be deported. Their next immigration hearing is in August. My hope is that someone read the NY Times this weekend and will champion this family.
Then, we need to take back our country and put someone in the White House who will champion all immigrants, not just his relatives.
IndyOp
(15,515 posts)I read the article at least three times - it is very moving. I was very happy to read that the school waived his fees so he could participate in chess club and that the principal had a celebration at the school for his big win at state.
He clearly loves chess and is brilliant and is on his way to being a grand master.
He is so advanced and so determined to stay in the US, that I worry a little that he might feel like he must win, must continue to be super successful for his family to get to stay in the country.
Children sometimes think they have more power and greater responsibility than they really do. I would guess that immigration tends to make children grow up fast.
DirtEdonE
(1,220 posts)Even under the circumstances they're facing they are working hard and making huge sacrifices to do what's best for their family. It's what "The American Dream" used to be all about.
Codeine
(25,586 posts)I tried to improve my play as a child but really hit a wall pretty early in my development. I just didnt have what this little guy does. Good on him!
northoftheborder
(7,572 posts)What a splendid addition to our nation. Hope his family gets to stay and become citizens.