Reclaiming the American Dream Through Community Service

Towards the end of Walden the author Henry David Thoreau is speaking about how you don't need a lot of money to enjoy life. You should slow down and enjoy the world as it presents itself. The little things in life are most important. You can interpret this from page 413 because Thoreau includes “It is life near the bone where it is sweetest”. The deeper meaning of the quote is that life is most enjoyed when you only focus on the bare necessities, and not indulge in the extra things, the material and superficial things. Spiritually you have to be content with yourself and that will make you happier than superficial item.

In the novel Walden, by Thoreau, the author hopes to explain the spiritually rich life he enjoyed at Walden Pond, and by setting an example of his own experience, teaches people about the negatives and positives of theirs. While given the opportunity to view society from the outside in, he observes how others waste their lives by rushing here and there, blindly chasing wealth and a social status which barely satisfies their needs. He can only regretfully conclude that modern man, obsessed with material gain, has "not leisure for a true integrity . . . he has not time to be anything but a machine."

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.

Over the years the American Dream has shifted and adapted to meet the social and economic conditions of that time. Although some minor components change there are still a few aspects of the dream that have always remained constant. Look at America in the 1930s and look 2016, laws have changed, but the pursuit of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness remain constant. One of the main reason people come to America is to find solace in the freedoms America provides. As America continues to evolve, the countries diversity continues to evolve as well. The various social and economic all have one common goal, to provide for their families. Ideally, the American dream has been depicted a cookie cutter picture perfect

Thoreau describes a “true America” that allows one to “pursue such a mode of life as may enable you to do without these, and where the state does not endeavor to compel you to sustain the slavery and war and other superfluous expenses which directly or indirectly result from the use of such things”

Living off Crime shows the links between individuals whom live to commit crimes to live and those who commit them out of necessity. It state that “The United States has a highly unequal socioeconomic structure charaterised by persistently widening wealth and income gaps”. (Tunnell, 2006). Meaning that to achieve the American dream is more realistic than completing that of the Australian. It is visible that America as a whole has the same aims and dreams in mind. Achieving that of success and wealth. This also mentioning that of individuals who do not reach this dream and the things that they will attempt to do so.

Thoreau shows how we should turn to human nature to find our values, rather than toil: “A stream from the golden mountains flows through our native valleys” (Thoreau 21). The phrase “native valleys” expresses inherent virtue, greatness which is deeply dug in human nature, while “golden mountains” convey the value of human nature, worth more than any material object. Thoreau’s metaphor implies that infinite wealth is found within humanity, accessible by those who break the chains of society and look towards

Volunteerism is a path to responsible citizenship. Volunteering is a form of generous behavior, with a goal of providing help to others, a group, an organization, a cause, or the community at large without expectation of accolades or material reward (Musick, 2008, p 3). Volunteer work encourages good citizenship. It builds trust with others and public institutions. Trusting people are more likely to get involved in leadership positions or even politics. It gets individuals involved by letting them meet a wider range of people, then learning more about local issues and legislation. Volunteer work teaches civic skills, which can then be used in the political arena, and help individuals become aware of social problems needing solutions (p 460-461).

Imagine immigrating to a foreign country where uncertainty and unfamiliarity awaits. That was my family in October 2008 when we arrived in America as refugees, deprived of basic necessities such as food and clothing. We faced difficulties adjusting to the culture and meeting our needs. However, volunteers of all ages from different charities delivered and donated foods, clothing, and presents, and warmly welcomed us with comfort during a time of major adjustment in our lives. They guided my family in our transition as we apply for schools and jobs. Volunteering was also a rare and uncommon practice in my birth country, so the number of volunteers helping us in America made a good impression of the country to my family. As I grew up and attend high school in America, I realized the amazing and endless opportunities for young people to make a difference in other’s lives by feeding the homeless, responding to natural disasters, caring for the elderlies, cleaning the community, saving the lives of animals, and much more. Community service should be required to graduate high school because it provides essential skills, builds character, and promotes higher education for a successful life.

Consumers have power to support corporations which align with moral and ethical production. Companies that exploit human labor for the monetary value is a prevalent issue in the manufacturing industry. In the Congo, the greed for natural resources comes at any cost. The need for tantalum, tin, gold and tungsten is in demand; companies are willing to pay for these cheaply at the price of human lives. Rapings, murders, child soldiers, poverty, and violence are results of the demand for natural resources. Companies such as Apple, Intel, HP, Philips and Microsoft use conflict materials to create products they market to consumers. These resources make up cell phones, portable music players, and computers; these objects many first world consumers

In time periods such as the 1620’s, settlers like those aboard the Mayflower traveled to

To my host family: you were amazing, I love you so much ❤️. Living with you as a member of your family was incredible. Now I know how we live with sisters and brothers and this is great !! 

However, we don’t need an expensive luxurious house, but we do need to have the luxury of having some kind of roof over our heads in order to be satisfied with our lives. A house like Thoreau’s “which hardly cost more than the annual rent of such a ruin as his commonly amounts,” is just as beneficial. Thus proving that having the simple things in life can also benefit us just as luxuries can. While many people enjoy getting luxurious clothing, it is sometimes good to have something simple as Thoreau did. Simple clothing can essentially save you money and help you to get other things that are more important.

Henry David Thoreau was born in Concord, Massachusetts and attended school at Harvard. He was a philosopher, poet, essayist, naturalist, as well as an outspoken social critic. In Thoreau’s essay “Where I lived, and what I lived for” he expresses how people should live a simpler life. Thoreau believes that we should break free from the rush of the average daily life. In addition, he talks about how we should remove things that are meaningless and have no purpose in life. However Thoreau’s philosophy could severely jeopardize the economy. Although Thoreau’s philosophy doesn’t apply today it can help you find the most important things in life.

Today, the desirable consumerist lifestyle outweighs the instinct of compassion, which only proves my point that the inherent values of consumerism force you all; yes you, to be insensitive. The Australian poet Bruce Dawe wrote The Not-So-Good Earth during the Vietnam War, about these values influencing the response