My Father: Pursuing The American Dream

The American dream is something that everyone should believe in, I know I do. Throughout my whole entire life I have wanted to be successful. I believe in myself and know that I can accomplish anything I put my mind to. The American dream says that everyone should be treated equal. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Everyone is judged for their height, weight, race, age, likes, dislikes, etc. In the world today you must conform to the social norm to be considered “cool.” Part of me wants to feel that way and the other part of me just wants to be original and do whatever I want. When I was a little girl I used to perform in musical theater. I loved it so much it made me the happiest I have probably ever been in my entire life. Did everybody

I was born in a middle class family in China and my parents care about me very much. Before I was even born, my farther adjusted the business hour of his clinic to make more profit by accepting more patients and my mother was a nurse who worked in my dad’s clinic, so they saved the money to send me to school and prepare to move to the U.S. Most of the members of my family already moved to the U.S. Moreover, once my aunt got her U.S. citizenship, she, as the sponsor, was able to apply for us to come. When I was 15, we finally got our immigrant visas and my parents told me we were ready for move to the America. Therefore, we sold everything we had in China we were staying at my uncle’s house in Hong Kong because we need to take the airplane from Hong Kong to Missouri, U.S. I still remember what my uncle said to me because he looked at me with a very serious face that caught my attention. “Qianxin, the America is different from China. I’ve heard people said life in the America is harder than China. However, if you work hard enough, you will get what you deserve.” The words are always in my mind. I tried to do my best in school and in everything because I want to be the person who can help my family.

The American Dream has long been considered the ideal that represents everything the United States stands for: hard work, determination, and reward. However, it can mean many different things to many different people. It is simultaneously the beacon that lures immigrants to this country and a forgotten myth to some native-born citizens (many who take it for granted each and every day). The story of Barack Obama’s family represents one of the most archetypical scenarios of the American Dream. His father moved to the United States in hope of a better life for himself and his children, a goal which he undoubtedly achieved (his son would go on to be the first United States president with African heritage) (Obama). This serves as evidence that the American Dream was attainable through hard work and resilience in the past. However, could Barack Obama Sr.’s inspiring story be a possibility in the modern world? Although it is true that the American Dream is significantly harder for many to accomplish due to rising competition in our modern society, its core philosophy is still very much in existence.

his country without the fear of going to prison. He had family members living in Miami so when

"I have run up credit card bills that I didn't know how I would pay off. I recognize when I am engaged in a spending spree, but I often have felt powerless to stop myself. The compulsion to finish the list and to avoid adding other things to the list - by buying them right then - has often been much stronger than the recognition that I didn't have the money to pay for what I was buying" (Spenders Anonymous, n.d.). This excerpt is from the story of a man named Kirk, who is a compulsive buyer. Kirk is not alone; many Americans are controlled by a cycle of working and spending what meager amount they have left to buy luxury items. Sometimes these citizens do not even have the money to pay for what they are buying. Truly, these people are miserable, but the idea that consumerism equals happiness and that they are living free lives is driven into American people since childhood. Consumerism and freedom are key parts of the American dream. The American dream emphasizes hard work and sacrifice, but in return, it promises the possibility of success to everyone, regardless of his or her socioeconomic circumstances. Despite the good intentions behind the ancestral ideal, the American dream has turned into a nightmare.

Since the major success that America has gone through its life as a country, many people have dreamed of coming to the U.S. in hope of their dreams succeeding just as other’s have before. Through multiple documents and speeches, people can realize that unlike what other people say, America does want its people to accomplish their dream and proves this through its actions. In the poem, “Africa to America” by Phillis Wheatley, the document, Bill of Rights, the speech, Keynote Address to the 2004 Democratic National Convention by Barack Obama, and the document Declaration of Independence, they all demonstrate that America is willing to continue to make the American Dream possible to all people. The American Dream is still accessible to the people by promising equality and freedom, by offering new opportunities, and through the government’s willingness to help the American Dream.

Since I was a little girl, I always knew I had potential to do great things. I've always been good in school, but not maxed out my full potential. As I got older I learned more about what the "American Dream" is. Too many people say its money, the more money you make the better off you are. I have learned that money isn’t always the answer. The true meaning of the “American Dream is really success and happiness in any thing you do. But how do you really achieve that goal? Now a day’s education is the key to success. When I turned eight teen I made up my mind I was just going to graduate and work. I wasn't interested in college at all. I was tired

When my mom arrived home from work I told her how my dad insulted me in public space in front of my friend because of his stupid rule that he claimed I broke. My mom was really annoyed by the situation, so she went and spoke to my dad about it. Did that solve the problem? Well, hell no! It only made matters worse. Dad's face got darker, his pupils expanded, breathing rapidly and his heart rate increases. Bang, bang, bang across my mom's face. she fell to the ground, got up and walked away.

have in life. Though my father grew up poor, he was able to get a job as an apprentice in a union and during the 1980’s worked his way up through the ranks. When he retired, he was able to get a job with an affiliated company and eventually was able to work from home and become upper-middle class.

Growing up, my parents have been my inspiration. Back in 1999, my family made the tough decision to leave Algeria during the civil war. The country was in turmoil and my parents wanted to escape to the United States. My mother was fortunate enough to be picked for Visa’s for the entire family. I remember my mom holding me in her arms, hearing her heart beat fast, and listening to the small prayers she would whisper. She brought me a government building in the capital, Algiers. My mother had the idea that if she brought youngest child it would increase her chance in the Visa lottery draw. At the time, the Algerian government was giving out a handful of visas to Algerian citizens. The room was silent while people were waiting for their family

Yes, I am the first in my family to attend college, all because of my grandparents.

Consequently, by educating them on how money works, allows them to determine how to have their money work for them, to achieve their goals and dreams. Therefore, teaching them self-sufficiency by reaching financial independence allows them the freedom to live their life on their own terms.

    Walking into my grandparents home always brought back the sweetest memories, I would hear the Greek news blaring from any room in the apartment; my grandmother would be cooking for my brothers, cousins and I while my grandfather told us stories of their village in Greece, or Xorio as he used to say. His stories were sad and joyful but the ones that resonated most with me were the ones of their struggles in Greece as well as immigrating to the United States.

My sixteen years of life experience is a proof and example of the American Dream! I come from Ethiopia, a vast and beautiful nation that is found at the horn of Africa. A nation full of rich history and home to the birth of humanity and even coffee. The country I grew up in is full of many beautiful cultures, tribes and home to over 86 different languages. I moved to the United States when I was nine years old. After I moved, however, things became difficult for me mainly because I didn’t speak the new language that I was introduced to. I came here knowing only about twenty words of English so I didn’t know how to fit in with the rest of my classmates at school. I had to get used to a new atmosphere and a new way of living. I felt like I was

alone in my desire for change and making a difference. My father has been an advocate for social justice and educating people for as long as I can remember. He has been my inspiration through this semester encouraging me and informing me about some of his projects. My father and some of his Muslim brothers back in Africa host a show called Islam and You on live TV and radio every Sunday. On this show they discuss topics from the Bible and Quran teaching people the true meaning of what Islam stands for. In the midst of all that is happening today with the image of the Muslims, my father continues to advocate for change. I admire his courage to not be angry at people who make generalization and puts everyone in the same box as a terrorist. Instead