Immigration And The American Dream

Early in our history immigrants could move from a hard lifestyle, such as government corruption or famine to America . Where life was perceived to be perfect and had so much more opportunity. However, as the people changed in positive and negative ways the American Dream was altered as well. The overall idea of the American Dream has changed from ideas and freedoms to more tangible things. For example people used to move to America to have rights and to have a voice. Now some believe that if you wear expensive shoes and spend more money on your car than your house you have fulfilled the dream.

“In November of the 1620 's The Mayflower Compact was signed in New Plymouth. This was an important event because it was the first laws of agreement established after the pilgrims came to America. It was the first form of self-governing and freedom for America” (Internet). In July 4, 1776 the Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson declaring freedoms from the Great Britain. The purpose of the Bill of Rights is to provide specific freedoms to citizens and limiting the government’s power. During 1929- 1939 The Great Depression occurred many people lost their jobs and become homeless. Throughout history there are different versions of the American Dream. The American Dream can be achieve through sacrifices, hard work, and dedication. Any one regardless of where you were born , whether you’re American or immigrants their American Dream can be achieve .Those three texts you will see the different version of the American Dream A Raisin in the Sun, Of mice and men, and I have a dream. The American Dream can be Achieve but sometimes things get on your way and make it hard to achieve.

The term “American Dream” is defined as an idea which believes that all people have the possibility of prosperity and success. The idea first came from James Adams, a noted American writer and historian. He claimed, “Life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability and achievement.” Therefore, the core concepts of the American Dream were closely linked to hard work and opportunity.

The idea of the American Dream has been around since America was founded, but until 1933, it was not put into words. In the article American Faces 1933’s Realities, by James Truslow Adams, he defines the American Dream as “ ...a vision of a better, deeper, richer life for every individual, regardless of the position in society which he or she may occupy by the accident of birth” (1). The American Dream does not have to be described as having copious amounts of wealth. To some, it is only a vision of a better life for themselves and their families.

The American Dream is a concept that is essentially older than the United States, dating back to the seventeenth century. It was then when people began to come up with hopes and aspirations for the newly discovered, unexplored continent. The “American Dream” is in essence the idea in that puts forward the notion that all people can succeed through hard work, that all people have the right to the pursuit of happiness, and be successful. The definition of the American Dream has been expanded upon and redefined over time. The concept of the American Dream has always been debated and put under criticism. There are many that believe the structure of American Society belies the idealistic goal of the American Dream. It points out examples of

The American Dream is a quite abstract idea, being interpreted in a variety of different ways. For every American, the concept of the American Dream is slightly different, changing depending on the values instilled in the individual. This idea varies greatly between different social classes, with the greatest variation being between the lower and upper classes. Because of so many different opinions, idealisms and values, the definition of the American Dream is merely a collection of many different ideas. However, I have seen through my interview, the American Dream is more based on perspective than on the commonly held beliefs and values of Americans as a whole. Because of this, the American Dream needs to be redefined for the current generation

The American Dream, once a symbol of success that was obtained through hard work and dedication, now doesn’t have much of a symbol of all. Some who are living this so called dream didn’t do anything to get it, while others strive for something they may never get. Obtaining this dream is harder than ever, and there is no guarantee you will ever achieve it. When you ask most people what they think the American Dream is they will say something about wealth or happiness, however once they obtain that they may realize it isn’t all what it is talked up to be.

The American Dream can mean different things depending on who is asked. Some will answer it is the freedom of religion, class or race, others will claim it is about the ability to choose where they want to work, what they want to wear, or what’s for breakfast the next day.

The American Dream is the idea that every United States citizen has equal opportunity to achieve success through hard work and determination. However, ideas of the dream have evolved throughout time from the 18th century up to present day. The general population’s view and my view of the American Dream both have altered throughout time. My idea of the American Dream has developed from not only today’s views on The Dream, but also from the evolutionary process the meaning has been through.

The American dream can be described by individuals whose life “should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement” (goodreads). Goodreads is a website full of authors and writers who work together to create a well-edited informative piece of writing. Adams view on the American dream is an outline for the general public, and it explains that everyone can have their dream based on their wants and needs as a human. Certain people will have a there own variation of the dream according to him or her; therefore, the American dream can change based on the time period or current events. When The American Dream came about in the 1800’s people weren’t concerned with a white picket fence,

Success. Family. Home. Happiness. Opportunity. The previous statements are words that one usually thinks of when they hear the American Dream. The American Dream was first described in 1931 by James Truslow Adams. In his book, Epic of America, Adams writes, “The American Dream is that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement" (215). Nowadays, the American Dream is possible for every individual in the U.S. It's their ideal of personal happiness, freedom, and equality. If the American Dream is narrowed down to “personal happiness,” the phrase has multiple meanings. The concept of the American Dream in both Great Gatsby and “DBAR” suggests that personal happiness produces corrupt and self-centered egos.

The American dream, many immigrants come to this country in hopes of realizing this ideology. Immigrants from all over the world seek opportunity in the United States, opportunities ranging from work and education. Coming to America for many immigrants is the journey to a safe haven and once here, immigrants start their lives, begin assimilating to the culture and many, if not all, apply for citizenship. Now the process of becoming an American begins, and one must prove their worth in order to receive citizenship, but it isn’t all based on your ability to assimilate to American culture as it is on your ability to be classified white. As we see in the case of

The American Dream is the result of possibilities and success. The term “American Dream” was been invented by James Truslow Adams in 1931: “That dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for every man, with opportunity for each according to his ability or achievement.” Another reference to the American Dream appears in the Declaration of Independence (1776). The author wrote that people are “endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” The question of the debate was: “Is the American Dream Still Alive and Well?”

The term “American dream” is relatively new and can stand for different connotations depending on the context. It was created by James Truslow Adams and written down in his book, The Epic of America, which was published in 1931. He states that the American dream is "that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement”(Adams). However, the basis for the foundation can be traced back to the sixteenth century Puritans. The Puritans did not call it the American dream, but their attitude towards religion and work ethic is similar to the term. They believed that for every single person there was a destiny. James Truslow Adams was a writer and stated that “dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement”(Adams). America

Immigration has been a controversial issue in the United States for centuries. While America thrives on the motto of being “the land of the free,” immigrants from countries as close as Mexico beg to differ. As of 2015, an estimated 170,000 Mexicans crossed the border into the United States in search of better education and more promising opportunities for their lives. However, because this is illegal, these immigrants have a terrorizing fear of being caught and deported back to their country. Martha Zavala Perez, an immigrant with DACA status living in Oxnard, California says, “Now, I can't help but look over my shoulder. That is the new normal, to constantly be aware" (González). This is the unfortunate reality for illegal immigrants across the country, but in order to solve the problems, the United States needs immigration reform.