American Dream Does Not Exist For Black People Essay

Coates explains to his son about the perils of being black in America and the social injustices that occur within such as looting and violence. Coates calls to the reader’s

Throughout the book, Coates briefly elaborates on how white people use harsh words and actions to try and tear down the black community. However, Coates asserts that “ Hate gives identity.” He continues this theory by writing “The nigger, the fag, the bitch illuminate the border, illuminate what we ostensibly are not.” Coates shows us that these hateful terms are actually beneficial. Ironically, these very words that are meant to tear us down, build us up by categorizing our people as things that we are not. Coates shows that these words that seemingly paint a true portrait of us are nothing but a false projection placed on our people. Coates goes on to show how society is set up on the standards and expectations of whiteness as these feelings are revealed through his writing “illuminate the Dream of being white, of being a Man.” The American Dream that we have been force fed is drawn directly from the perspective of the white man. Certain indicators of society, such as how to be a man, are defined from the perspective of the white man as well. Coates powerfully conveys that we should be creating our own standards of the American Dream. We should be fighting to bring

“My mother always talks about how white people have the “perfect” life, but then we (black people) aren’t apart of that “perfect” life, we are suppose to help labor for them so they can get the life they want without us included.” In the novel, Between The World And Me, Ta-nehisi Coates grew up in the streets of Baltimore, where the streets transform every ordinary day into a series of trick questions, and every incorrect answer risks a beatdown, a shooting, or pregnancy. This is the everyday norm of having struggles in Baltimore. But, one day Coates saw on television and media all-around how whites have wonderful and stress free lives. That is the life everyone wants, but whites are the most ones privilege to be able to achieve this goal, or dream. Coates message about the “Dream” and the “Dreamers” is that the “Dream” is an middle class suburban neighborhood, where you don’t have to worry about crime and violence, and “The Dreamers” are white people who created and believe the American dream.

Coates’ allegory of the “Dreamers” and their detrimental impact on the lives of African Americans in the US is highlighted with this declaration: “But do not pin your struggle on their conversion. The Dreamers will have to learn to struggle themselves, to understand that the field for their Dream, the stage where they have painted themselves white, is the deathbed of us all” (151). Coates is essentially claiming that the people who refuse to live in reality are subsequently robbing those who do because they instill a sense of false hope and unrealistic expectations that make every injury inflicted upon the African American community hurt even more. By extension, Coates is affirming that living in the moment rather than always thinking about the future and how to make things better is the most authentic route to happiness. Much of the misery in life derives from people in power abusing the privileges society has granted them, and the exploitation of black people in American society has solidified the idea that civilization breeds barbarism in Coates’ mind. This is further supported by Coates’ assertion that, “The enslaved were not bricks in your road, and their lives were not chapters in your redemptive history. They were people turned to fuel for the American machine” (70). This image of black lives being chewed up and spit out by industrial America is visceral and jarring in that it shows a complete failure on the civilization’s part to protect and raise its citizens to a more prominent status and improve their lives. To Coates, the ideas of patriotism and “the Dream,” or

After reading Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates, I felt that the most powerful message in the book was Coates’ assertion that African Americans are striving for the “Dream” which is in fact unreachable. The “Dream” is supposed to be the desire of people to live in a big house with a white picket fence and a big yard, however because it was built on the backs of black people, literally, it is not something that is a realistic goal or a realistic dream. Coates wants his son to realize that America has been built on the marginalization of black people and other minorities and that because of this, it is not a place which will allow races that white people have deemed as “lesser” to prosper. The first major takeaway that I got from reading

The idea of the American dream revolves around attaining happiness, success and equality. For higher wealth classes obtaining these components aren't a concern; but for many, the American Dream has become a nightmare. For the poor being able to obtain simple necessities such as food, clothing and shelter is a daily struggle. The price of being poor is a lot costlier then those in the realm of the wealthy. Based on the current economic and social systems in America it does not provide everyone with a fair chance to achieve the “American Dream”. In todays society many Americans believe money is the only way to happiness. True or not true, money certainly isn't a hindrance to obtaining the necessary components for survival. But if the American Dream is no longer about happiness and freedom it becomes solely about wealth and possession. "Money cannot buy happiness." (Anonymous, Spring Board pg.81) represents the concept that money doesn't necessarily play apart in your emotional well-being. Today, materialism is more important than character. Money isn't everything; you don't need it to be happy and certainly not to achieve "The American Dream". In addition to that, although money can jump-start your future it can also drive you into the ground. Dana Gioia, the author of "Money", says "...Money holds heads above water..." Implying money plays a crucial part in keeping your dreams alive while America demands so much. Although finances are a building block to ones version of the

While many people view the achievement of the American Dream as the highest form of success, it is really a false reality built on an ongoing history of white supremacy and superiority. “The Dream” is one that is held by the willfully ignorant, those believing themselves to be white, and people who do not wish to reflect on the issues of race and discrimination transpiring in modern day society. As a result, “The Dream” is consequentially detrimental to the African American race.

Americans.” “Without its own justifications, the dream would collapse upon itself.”(pg.131) What Coates is trying to say is if people specifically the black community want to have the “American Dream” how the white people live instead of just being happy how their living knowing that family is more important than just a big house.

Coates shared that until one realizes that the “American Dream” was built on tears of African Americans, and not one’s own merit, then we will continue to strive for this imaginary

This is true to many people in the world. Though Coates often talks about the black bodies, Coates uses the word “our” to include everyone who might be reading his book. This is very important for Coates to do in the book to really draw the reader in. Another reason why this is important is because it helps the reader make a connection with the book. Throughout the book Coates talks about the dream that people have. The typical dream that people in America have is having a perfect family, having barbeques, and having a nice house with a steady job. Is this a dream of every American or just those who have a white skin color? Though this can be seen as a white American dream. For the ones who haven’t had this type of life, like Coates, they tell others that the dream isn’t all what it seems. Coates also tells his son about the rough times he had in school as a child. Coates brought up how he had to memorize the families, gangs and get to know the streets to get around and stay safe in his travels from school and home. School in Coates eyes was seen as a prison and almost just as bad as the

Lao Tzu once said that “the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step”, which means that no matter how difficult the task, determination requires a necessary prelude for accomplishment (Tzu). People generally perceive accomplishments as the most important aspect of an individual’s value, but ultimately, only oneself can determine their worth and beliefs. The fading of one’s ideals is bound to occur eventually, but the only legacies considered inerasable are deeds. Great men and women are rarely remembered for their beliefs or thoughts; instead they are judged depending on their actions and the resulting consequences.

Cristina Saralegui, an American Journalist, once said, “to realize the American Dream, the most important thing to understand is that it belongs to everybody. It 's a human dream. If you understand this and work very hard, it is possible”. The American Dream, although in high demand by all people of all skin colors, is an aspiration often misunderstood. It is much simpler than what people make it out to be. The American Dream is not about fame or fortune. It is defined by studying hard at night, commuting to your long work day, and cleaning the home you own. The Dream is textured by hard work throughout a life. For the African Americans in our nation, the American Dream has regressed into somewhat of a nightmare, the people tortured by their own drive and hard-work that is constantly thrown out the window because of socioeconomic stereotypes passed down through generations. In the poem “I, too, Am America”, Hughes implies that to “be America” all people with a variety of skin colors have to be united by equality in common American Dreams such as homeownership, education, and the job market. Based off of this theory, blacks today are unable to be considered ‘America’ in Hughes’ standard because of of the unbearable gaps between whites and blacks. The Dream is meant to be a human dream for all, not an unattainable wish for some.

The American dream has many meanings but only one that matters, which is having a job that you enjoy and appreciate and for your freedom to be known. The Public Broadcast Service published videos that explored the daily realities of the New York working class. One video followed the experiences of Walid Abdelwahab. He is a well known cart vendor working on the streets of New York city he traveled all the way from Egypt to succeed and have a better lifestyle. Walid has been vending all of his life to help support his family; however, he has faced many rigor moments but he still continues to work with a smile on his face, no matter what happens. This supports the existence of the American dream because he moved from a different country leaving everything behind so that him and his family can live a happy life.

Even though the optimal American Dream doesn’t promise that all citizens will achieve personal success, it offers equality and fortunes for them to pursue dreams through hard work. However, during the Industrial Age, the American Dream didn’t apply to the lower class. Most immigrants from southern and eastern Europe arrived in the United States to escape religious persecution and poverty in their home countries and also seek new opportunities. But, they realized the brutal reality after their arrival. As unskilled foreigners who suffered poverty and lacked experience and English skills, immigrants lived in nasty tenements located in city ghettos, earned little wages that at times couldn’t even enable the whole family to survive, and were taken advantage from bosses because of their naivete and lack of power. African Americans faced a crueler circumstance because of the long-lasting racial discrimination. In the 1880s, a number of African Americans migrated from rural south to industrial cities in order to avoid poverty, violence, and oppression they faced in the deep South. However, they rarely found factory jobs or professional opportunities. Women also couldn’t rule their destinies during the Industrial Age. Desiring to be more independent and provide financial help to families, many women worked in factories. Most of them experienced disadvantages, including gaining less wages than men did and experiencing sexual harassment from their foremen. Even though the federal

Coming to America your vision is the “ American Dream” . Owning a home , educating your children , and spending time with your family are just a few dreams that attract foreigners . My father Caesar Reeves came to American to live those dreams . When he got here, he realized that working for someone else wouldn’t allow him to achieve his dream. He decided to work for himself and enter into the gas station business in 2007. During this time gas was at some of its all time highs ; $3.50 per gallon , $4.01 per gallon , and more on the east coast . My father’s ownership of the Sunoco gas station chain in Cumberland Maryland allowed him to live out both his American dreams , and nightmare . While he was making money he was being robbed , and reporting finances improperly .