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Examples Of Racism In The American Dream

Decent Essays

Throughout American History, millions of people have left their homelands in search of the “American Dream”. The “American Dream”, can be a combination of different ideas and perceptions, but the main goals are ultimately the same. One of the core goals is to be prosperous, safe, happy, and treated equally despite a person’s ethnic background, culture, or religious belief. Furthermore, America is considered a melting pot, because people from around the world can live together, under one nation, without losing their diverse cultures. (Adams 2009) However, due to racism and stereotypes the “American Dream” can be shattered for every race and religion. This is portrayed well in the movie “Crash”, because it tells interlocking stories of Latinos, Koreans, Iranians, Whites, and blacks, as well as different social classes. It displayed how every character, regardless of their ethnicity, leaps to conclusions and treats others solely on their race or perceived religion. Moreover, several characters are portrayed as living the American Dream, however due to racism and stereotypes their American Dream becomes impossible. The Three characters in the movie “Crash”, who failed the American Dream is a black film director, Persian store keeper, and a Hispanic locksmith.
Throughout the movie “Crash”, a black character named, Cameron, is portrayed as not only succeeding the American Dream, but how American Society ultimately caused him to fail American dream. The United States Declaration of Independence states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by God, Creator, with certain inalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” (Marin Luther King Jr. Research and Educational Institute 2005)Martin Luther King, further explained that it states, “all men”, which includes black men. The character, Cameron, is torn from his inalienable rights and treated unethically by two white police officers, because he is a black man. Cameron and his wife were pulled over by the police officers, without a cause, and treated like criminals. Furthermore, Cameron had to endure watching his wife being sexually assaulted by one of the police officers. In

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