The American Dream And Its Reality For Minority Americans

Unkept promises diminish day by day. What once may have given people ambition and zeal has transformed into a superficial and consumerist ideal. In the nation’s youth, the American Dream was a promise to the people which has failed to impart its values to future generations. This promise traces back to the foundation that “all men are created equal” and Dictionary.com’s first definition defines the American Dream as “the ideals of freedom, equality, and opportunity traditionally held to be available to every American.” This is closest to the originally intended meaning of the American Dream which perhaps only a minority of the population still recognizes. Politics and economy have contributed to the significant change in meaning and

When most people think of the American Dream they often visualize the typical white fence, the two children, and an overall perfect family. When people think of the American Dream they think of the dream jobs which consist of being a doctor, lawyer, or a widely known talk show host. The people who have the voice determine what is ideal in society and what isn’t. They try to sell you this pitch that the American Dream is obtainable and what you put in to the system, you get out; This is also know as meritocracy. The thought of achieving the American Dream through success and social mobility is the misinformed interpretation what the upper middle class likes to say, however its easier to say that when climbing the class ladder is a lot more difficult when born into a low advantaged family. It is absolutely impossible to reach the American Dream unless you are among the wealthy. Circumstances that work against an individual only further hinders any opportunity that person may have to “obtain” the American Dream. Negative factors not working in your favor will most likely determine your undesirable future and having a role model, such as Oprah, who seemingly embodies the American Dream, will lead to the unrealistic dream that her status is actually attainable. Some of the key elements we consider essential to achieving success, are now impractical and misleading, proving the many flaws in our American Dream that make it impossible to obtain.

Research conducted by Sandra L. Hanson and John Zogby concerning shifting attitudes toward the American Dream states, “lack of thrift, effort, ability, motivation, and self-control are the most popular explanations for poverty among Americans” (Hanson 571). Such explanations demonstrate the growing issues that help to create the darkness of the American Dream. In placing such an emphasis on achieving success, the American Dream belittles those unable to achieve it and allows no room for failure. Though some individuals may work hard their entire lives, they may never find the material success that others such as Ben or Charley do. Even in the case of characters who have worked their entire life, such as Willy, the lack of tangible, material success creates a false idea that they did not do enough or did not work hard enough. Concerning Willy’s career and life, Ben states, “What are you building? Lay your hand on it. Where is it?” (Miller 1271). This statement pushes the misconstrued idea that whatever success one has achieved needs to be tangible and seen, which is not always the case. It can be argued that by the end of his life, Willy had found success. Linda’s proclamation that they were “free and clear” after having finally paid off the mortgage furthers this argument (Miller 1298). Out of debt, and with the comfort of a devoted wife and loving sons, Willy had achieved a life that many can only dream. However, because he and others do not recognize love and happiness as

“I love the American Dream. I feel this is the place I was supposed to be in. It’s beautiful. I love it.” (Immaculee Ilibagiza). The American dream to me is a place where everyone has a chance to succeed. Where everyone can live in happiness. The dream is that everyone is happy, safe, and that everyone can make a decent living!

Intro: The American Dream attracts many people from all over the world, people have an image that living in America grants them the life of their dreams, but does living in america really grant people the perfect life? The Case For Reparations by Coates explains how African Americans have struggled in the past with racism and discrimination. He goes on to talk about their lives during slavery and post slavery, and how African Americans are unemployed and undereducated. Aja ET AL.’s essay From A Tangle Of Pathology To A Race Fair America also talks about the lives of African Americans, the discrimination, segregation, and unemployment. They both go on explaining how Blacks are always discriminated against and are not given equal

American poet Archibald Macleish once stated, “There are those who will say that the liberation of humanity, the freedom of man and mind is nothing but a dream. They are right. It is the American Dream.”  The concept of the American dream is the potential for hard-working individuals to prosper and conquer one's goal where they weren’t able to in other places. The novel, “The Great Gatsby” by Scott Fitzgerald and the short story, “Negocios by Junot Diaz refer to characters that are dedicated to overcoming poverty and achieving what they believed was the American dream. The main characters in each text, Papi and Gatsby are making their life’s mission to better themselves for love and affluence. Both characters are allied in the idea that they are trying to pursue the American dream, but while Gatsby personifies this desire through Daisy and wealth, Papi epitomizes the aspiration of economic stability by coming to the United States.

Ronald Reagan once said, “ In a world wracked by hatred, economic crisis, and political tension, America remains mankind's best hope.”America may be mankind’s best hope, but will it remain that way? America is the beacon for freedom and equality, but with the recent election, it may difficult for us to remain a country full of diversity and hope. In order for the United States economy to prosper, the government must control inflation rates, raise employment rates, and change the current income inequality ratio.

What is the American Dream? To many people across the globe, the United States of America appears to be a place where one can be proud of. America the land where dreams come true and there is always a chance for any person to succeed. People who are not from the United States have been painted a beautiful picture of what life in our country is like. Not only do they think that there is a special place in American Dream of African American soldiers after WWI American Dream of African American soldiers after WWI ;During World War I many things changed, lives were destroyed ;dreams shattered, and many soldiers’ who went to war came back ... America for them and the perfect career for each individual, but unfortunately this is not always true. The American dream is not necessarily to get rich quick, it is more along the lines of a hard worker having an opportunity to be financially stable and to live a pleasant life. The dream is that their sons and daughters will not have to suffer the same things that they did. Their children will be better off in the long run because African-American Entrepreneurship In a comparative light there seems to be significant problems, or obstacles, for African-American entrepreneurs. These problems are categorized by environmental factors, opportunity factors, and issues related to capital. The ... of their hard work. Why hasn’t the African American community been able to reach the American dream In America everyone is guaranteed the opportunity

American is a land of opportunity where creates many chances to success and American Dream is based on education that is considered to be a measure of the achievement. Following “Learning in The Shadow of Race and Class” by Bell Hooks which makes us realize the secret struggle of Hook at college years, and she forced to face of not only racism but also the difference in social classes. Through many experiences, she believed education is the key to success that helped her overcome the shame of being African-American and improved her family’s life. Additionally, Hook supports, “Mama intervened and tried to change my father’s mind, as folks she respected in the outside world told her what a privilege it was for me to have this opportunity, that

Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun encompasses all the ideals of the American Dream through her characters: Walter, who embodies the quest for an opportunity for prosperity, Beneatha who wants the freedom to be herself and embrace her African heritage, and Lena (Mama) who buys a home in a white neighborhood pushing the boundaries of social mobility during that time. The Youngers are in a state of poverty, because of this as suggested by Lloyd Brown “their deprivations expose the gap between the American Dream and the Black American reality” (241). However the Youngers attempt to close this gap, challenging the status quo in an effort to better themselves.

T.T., an anonymous writer, dreams of two very different worlds from the outcome of America’s Racism and is my first crucial turning point in “the history of mixed race America”. His first dream, he,” described how Americans of all colors were living in harmony…”(Nash 63). A place where all races were unified was unthinkable to most Americans during his time. For T.T. or anyone else to believe that this could be America in the next couple hundred years was crazy talk. Furthermore, T.T. found himself in the dream at ,”an elegant reception where the newly elected president of the United States would be introduced...T.T. discovered [the president] was a distinguished African American”(Nash 63). An African American would never be capable or allowed to become president, making T.T.’s dream even more astonishing.No one owuld eblieve that an African American man could bring peace to this racially seperated country. On the other hand, T.T.’s second dream turned the tables. T.T. found himself in Charleston ,South Carolina where, “ former slaves debated what to do with the

Even though the optimal American Dream doesn’t promise that all citizens will achieve personal success, it offers equality and fortunes for them to pursue dreams through hard work. However, during the Industrial Age, the American Dream didn’t apply to the lower class. Most immigrants from southern and eastern Europe arrived in the United States to escape religious persecution and poverty in their home countries and also seek new opportunities. But, they realized the brutal reality after their arrival. As unskilled foreigners who suffered poverty and lacked experience and English skills, immigrants lived in nasty tenements located in city ghettos, earned little wages that at times couldn’t even enable the whole family to survive, and were taken advantage from bosses because of their naivete and lack of power. African Americans faced a crueler circumstance because of the long-lasting racial discrimination. In the 1880s, a number of African Americans migrated from rural south to industrial cities in order to avoid poverty, violence, and oppression they faced in the deep South. However, they rarely found factory jobs or professional opportunities. Women also couldn’t rule their destinies during the Industrial Age. Desiring to be more independent and provide financial help to families, many women worked in factories. Most of them experienced disadvantages, including gaining less wages than men did and experiencing sexual harassment from their foremen. Even though the federal

of boundless opportunities and liberty. As stated earlier, there is no universally accepted definition of this phenomenon. The American Dream is an ironic term and quite satirical in nature as it is everything but a dream although it has always been a staple of American culture. As America evolved so did the perception that America was different from other nations. America has been depicted as a landed of unlimited opportunities where anything could be achieved. It is quite an interesting phenomenon based on mobility in social class hierarchies. When James Truslow Adams created the term the American dream it was based more on idealism than it was on material wealth (Samuel, 2012) He wrote in The American Epic that the American Dream was "that dream of land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for

A house, a beautiful wife, wonderful kids, and all the time in the world to enjoy the fruit of your labors. The American dream the coveted lifestyle for the American populace that is shared by individuals across the globe in search of a better life. The drastic measures taken by immigrants to get a chance at something taken for granted by most would dumbfound those born into such a blessed life. Unfortunately, The American Dream is a glorified fallacy; one that fails to acknowledge the hindrance in attaining this idealistic life.

There were many stories told of racism, of men and women breaking their backs working all day. People have heard of homeless families dying on the streets, and signs swaying back and forth on doors to restaurants forbidding different races to eat there. Is that the case now? Are there still dying people lying on the cold ground with no food or families? Do people see horrific scenes of men and women working in fields all day? Do families still have to witness an African American get up and move to the back of a bus for a Caucasian? No, that is not the case anymore. America is a better country now. In source E it says, “The chair in Washington sat had a sun, and the question was asked, is it rising or setting?” This quote questions