Oppression In The American Dream

The American dream is large in the minds of the American public, and indeed, of people around the world. It has taken on somewhat of a life of its own, and its clear, powerful call has brought people from around the world to the shores of the United States for more than a century, each of them hoping to capture a little bit of the American dream for themselves. While some have (there are famous immigrants in history who have come to America with nothing and created ridiculously successful financial empires that even continue today), most have found that the proverbial American dream is far more myth than reality (Bambara

The American Dream is something that everyone wants to experience, yet not everyone gets the opportunity to experience the fairytale of the American Dream. Immigrants traveled from all over to come to America to experience the glam and glory that America had to offer. To be an American it typically means to be white, rich, to own land/property, and most of all be native to this country. The American Dream originally meant people coming to America and working hard for the lives that they thought they deserved. This dream meant people coming together in harmony and there being no violence. This dream was also perceived to help those in need and America becoming the access route for those in need. In today’s society, The American Dream is viewed

America is the land where dreams manifest into reality. Dreams ranging from fame, wealth, or the simple quality of living in peace. But the American Dream more than that.

Owning a home is emblematic of the “American Dream”. Unfortunately for many Americans, especially Millennials who are entering or have entered the job market, the thought of owning a home still remains a dream. Our unstable job market and fragile economy has made this aspect of the “American Dream” quite difficult, and many Millennials are more content with landing their dream job than owning a home. The wealth gap between the rich and the poor has prevented the poor from attaining the Dream since the Dream has always been within the grasp of those well off. In our modern society, the same unfortunately is true.

The American dream is an elusive idea for many Americans; it allows access but does not provide equal opportunity to achieve it for every American citizen and varies wildly throughout different social classes in America. Inequality plagues society throughout these social classes, providing or denying certain opportunities throughout them.

The American Dream is the belief that anyone, regardless of a person’s birthplace and class, can gain their idea of success in a country where mobility is possible for everyone. Working hard and pushing forward can lead to the wonders and triumphs of life. The idea of The American Dream has changed over the years, once representing a successful life through hard work, but now representing a person’s “entitlement” and belief that they deserve the easy way out just because they are American.

Many years ago today, the United States of America was the prime example of prosperity and opportunity. It established America with the idea that its citizens would be guaranteed life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Today, it is true that people have liberties and are free to pursue happiness. However, in recent years, in the worst recession since the Great Depression. Unemployment, growing economy inequality, and medical care have skyrocketed. Despite the odds, the American Dream is still a goal that many people strive for and hope to reach. In fact, an essay written by Brandon King, The American Dream: Dead, Alive or on Hold? He says, “the American dream is a dream in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with the opportunity for each according to his/her ability and achievement…” (King 610-611). Therefore, the problem with the American Dream lies not within the dream itself, but within the means people pursue to attain this dream.

The American Dream has been around for centuries. Whilst it may have been altered throughout time, it is still a part of the American life that many people have thought about. The American Dream may be viewed differently, but is generally the same for all; being high on the social “ladder,” with lots of money. “How people achieve this dream has changed, but the basic principles of it haven’t” (The American Dream: The Quest for a

The United States of America is federal republic formed on the basis of democracy, liberty, equality, and the ability to pursue one's own happiness. Due to these unalienable rights, America was considered a new start and a place where hard work would be awarded, and opportunity given to all, not just the aristocratic society. This belief and look at America led to the idea of the American Dream. Coined by James Truslow Adams in his 1931 book, “The Epic of America,” 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) Despite only being coined in 1931, the American Dream had already existed, even dating back to the

“The American Dream” is advertised as being the act of a person having an idea, goal, or as the saying suggests, a dream, and then them spending time, energy, and money to make it come true. However, if you haven’t realized it yet, there’s a reason they call it a dream because it hardly becomes a reality. More and more people are realizing this so called “dream” is nothing but a hoax, and that the promises America assures and guarantees such as equal opportunity and equal success are nothing but pure manipulation. Furthermore, the American dream no longer stands by the virtue of discrimination and prejudice, overwhelming debt, and failed establishments.

The American Dream has been desired throughout history and only a handful of people became successful and achieved it, however the majority did not experience those achievements and their hopes of obtaining it were crushed as more time had passed. They were deluded by those who triumph and attempted to strike at the opportunity by traveling to America that entranced them through the falsely exaggerated rumors such as the streets being paved in gold. The amount of obstacles that blocked them from acquiring that dream has proved too much, however it is still increasing at an alarming rate in the present. This rate has influence several literatures and proven that the American Dream incredibly flawed due to the countless economic setbacks.

The American dream is an ideology that has been around, known, and praised for a long time. It is an aspiration many long to achieve and protect with their lives. A story that has been written out for us and embed in our minds. As children, we begin school and are taught the pledge of allegiance and how important it is for everyone to take a moment to praise and thank what the nation for what it has to offer. We rise and hold this belief too our hearts looking upon the flag representing our nation. We grow up believing that we are the privileged ones who have the opportunity of liberty and justice for all. Glorifying what it means to be American, convincing us that we can all have an opportunity to even be President thus creating a fixed mindset of paradise. Therefor serving the American dream as an expectation rather than as stimuli; created only for a narrow group of people exposing the realization that only a few have the privilege to acquire the dream. America is a “new nation” an experiment founded on change and beliefs (Beach 148). A nation, our founders believed could be different and gift people with individuality, hopes, and enlighten them with the American dream. A dream brought from desperate times, providing motivation for many even until this day.

The American Dream is the multicolored tapestry comprised of the many myths and stories of those who have come before us to create our own ‘success story.’ It is the worldview comprised of the myths and stories which have portrayed the

“The American Dream” is a phrase coined by James Truslow Adams in 1931 in his book The Epic of America. It is nothing more than a simple three-word phrase, and yet within it is the history of a nation birthed from the dream where everyone will have equal opportunity to rise from the bottom to the top. There have been many examples of these instances and those who have achieved their dreams are heralded as heroes, with many— most often fictional— movies and books written about their success. However, such is not always the case. Many have died trying to achieve their dreams and still have not seen the fruit of their labors. It is also with great consideration that one thinks about the possibility of there being more than one “American Dream”.

The American dream has been a long-time staple of the nation; an achievement that wasn’t exclusive to anyone and could be acquired by everyone. This is the American Dream that Tim Roemer speaks of in his article “America Remains the World’s Beacon of Success”. In his piece, he tells his audience that regardless of where he traveled or whom he spoke with, everyone was fascinated with the illusion of coming to America and fulfilling their dreams. He proposed that the American Dream was very much alive and still sought after by millions and that Americans should realize the privilege they have to already be a part of such a great nation. Roemer seems to only focus his sights on the positive feedback foreigners give about the United States without really taking into account all the real issues and unhappiness that is shared among its citizens. Over time, with globalization, expansion and even governmental shifts, the American Dream has come to vanish under the overflowing issues the nation faces. The American dream is an illusion lost in time as the disputes over immigration, the unveiling acts of racism, the resonating fear amongst residents, and even the primitive health care system near the creation of an inhabitable environment.