My American Dream

There is an ancient African adage that states “If you wish to move mountains tomorrow, you must start by lifting stones today”. As a first generation immigrant to the United States and reminiscent of countless other immigrants who have come before me, moving to a new country literally means starting your life all over again from scratch, but symbolically it signifies a rebirth of oneself and a chance to metamorphose into whatever new creature you aspire to be. Some of the challenges I faced included culture shock, language barriers, financial barriers, but the utmost significant one was the education barrier. I quickly realized that if I could bridge the education gap I would be able to overcome all the other barriers. For myself, having an education epitomized my assimilation into my new life by enabling me to chase my dreams and realize my unique American dream.

I recently completed my Eagle Scout rank, achieving the highest honor in Boy Scouts, and I am also a brotherhood member of scouting's honor society, the Order of the Arrow. I served a six month term as Senior Patrol Leader, the most senior scout leader within my troop, as well as serving as Assistant Senior Patrol Leader for one term. Before that, I did three six month terms as Troop Guide, a position in which I acclimated first year scouts to the troop, teaching them the ways of scouting. My experience in Boy Scouts has presented an abundance of opportunities for me to develop my leadership skills, giving me a competitive advantage over other candidates.

There is an old African adage that states “If you wish to move mountains tomorrow, you must start by lifting stones today”. I am a first generation immigrant to the United States and like many other immigrants who have come before me, moving to a new country literally means starting your life all over again from scratch but symbolically it signifies a rebirth of oneself and a chance to metamorphose into whatever new creature you aspire to be. Some of the challenges I faced included culture shock, language barriers, financial barriers but the most significant one was the education barrier. I quickly realized that if I could bridge the education gap I would be able to overcome all the other barriers. For me having an education epitomized my assimilation into my new life by enabling me to chase my dreams and realize my unique American dream.

From the early stages of American literature the dream of success has always been around, even at the very beginning. It has gone on the journey of merely surviving in small amounts of the literature from the native people to thriving in a growing society and being in everything. The dream to myself is becoming wealthy and being successful in everything I do. Today I believe that the dream has become different for everyone, every person has a different dream, a different way they want their life to go.

The American dream has been a beacon of hope and motivation for the millions of people who have immigrated and grown up in the United States; especially for those of the lower class. Through hard work and determination one could completely change their life for the better while provide better circumstances for future generations. The American dream is defined as, “a happy way of living that is thought of by many Americans as something that can be achieved by anyone in the U.S. especially by working hard and becoming successful” (The American Dream). Today, youth of the lower class are finding this dream to be nearly impossible to achieve, even by working hard. For many it has become nothing more than a pipe dream. The American dream is still alive, but it is on it’s final breath; especially for the poor youth of America.

Those who can strengthen their leadership skills as a youth will better set themselves up to be able to lead others in the future. A leader is not always one that tells others what to do, but many times must show them by taking the initiative to work on the tasks with those that may follow. I have learned through my time as a Scout that the most effective leader does not boss others around, but leads by example. To obtain the rank of Eagle Scout, a Scout must learn many traits throughout his time, that he will apply in his life service. This is the epitome of one’s time in Scouting, and can teach a person endless things about themselves.

According to James Truslow Adams the American Dream is, "a 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." The American Dream changes with every generation, but it still resembles James' definition. The Puritans pursued a life of religious freedom. The colonists pursued a life free from tyranny. All of these dreams were ideas or concepts to follow in order to become happy. What is the American Dream now? The American Dream has shifted from concepts to objects. Americans don't see the American Dream as a belief anymore, but they think of it as something to obtain. This shift was the result of the changing of American morals and values. Today, the

Throughout life everybody has heard the line “Follow your dreams!” This simple sentence has inspired many. This idea of creating a dream and chasing it has inspired the American Dream. The American Dream is different for everybody. It could be getting married, creating a business, or being a hero. It turns out the American Dream is not for everybody. There is always something standing in the way of the American Dream. Race, social status, and the individual are standing in the way between the person and the American Dream.

There isn’t much to tell about myself; I am just a simple girl from Africa trying to live the “American dream.” I work very hard for what I have, and I do not surrender easily. In addition, I am a very caring person, which can be one of my best qualities but also one of my worst. For instance, when I make promises to people or give them my word, I will follow through to what I promised. I will go above and beyond to make sure I do what I said and committed myself to do.

I have never been so excited about my biggest dream that was about to turn into reality. Settling permanently in the United States was to become my life changing experience. Such an experience is worth living. It has been a great opportunity to start living my best. Coming to America where anything seems possible is a dream come true for certain reasons such as fulfilling a childish dream to study in America, revealing a chance to see the world, and building a road to success.

Friedrich Nietzche, a German philosopher quoted, “That which does not kill us, makes us stronger.” The most meaningful event in my life was when my twin daughters came into life. I am an immigrant that moved to this beautiful country when I was only thirteen years old teenager. Only one more family out of many that decide to come to this country hoping for better future and try to achieve the American Dream.

I’ve had challenges in ranges from peas to elephants throughout my lifetime, but the biggest challenge I’ve faced Thus far has been navigating and blending cultures. From Burmese kids who’ve spent years in refugee camps to Congolese kids who’ve fled civil wars, to the American homeboys who wear baseball caps backwards, to me a girl from the congo who lives with parents that view the world in strict and narrow terms,my world is made up people from all over the world with one objective in mind- realizing their American Dream, freedom of thought, speech and opportunity to be who they are without fear. Every day is a new adventure with endless possibilities for those who are open and brave. I’m open and I’m brave, but I secretly live in a world

After Noke completed his two year commitment in the Dutch Army, he made plans to immigrate to the United States of America; “the land of opportunity”. College degree in hand and eager to begin a career in engineering, in 1955 he settled in Berkley, California where it was easier to find work in the postwar economic boom. Noke took up temporary residence, renting a small apartment in a nondescript neighborhood. Eventually, he found work and wrote weekly interesting letters to his mother to tell her about his life in America.

Dreams themselves come in all shapes, sizes, and depths. They can range from simple primal desires to complex demands for morality and justice. In every corner in our behemoth of a nation, dreams can be found. Thanks to you, many can safely express their viewpoints on such ideas without fear of being told they're speaking out of place. The story of your American Dream lives on in today's youth as an inspiring tale of overcoming the injustices of the world we live in. My dream resembles yours in this way.

As someone who was born at the tail-end of the millennial period, 1997, I can definitely say that I am experiencing this new American Dream for myself. Owning a home is definitely a part of the American Dream that has remained intact for as long as the country has been standing. However, for a millennial there is a new and added depth to the Dream. Millennials have been accused of many things, killing the diamond industry, killing the department store industry, and for being unwilling to enter the housing market. While the dream of owning a home is indeed alive and well among millennials, it is something that feels far beyond reach for the majority of us.