Synthesis of The American Dream
Practice makes perfect, part 3! Make sure you fully develop this essay, regardless of your busy weekend. The exam is right around the corner, so do not delay!
You must read and rate the essays of two of your classmates. Make sure you are specific about why they got the grade they did.
The concept of the American dream is one that has been spoken of for years. It is a concept that, over these years, has faced a sort of evolution. Beginning in the early 1600s, although the term was not yet coined, many sought refuge from tyrannical government rule, famine, and religious persecution – their form of the American dream. As centuries passed, this dream evolved in some ways, to reflect a desire to build a family and to attain financial stability. With this transformation of the American dream, however, American society itself was also redefined – primarily as a society that seeks wants, and sometimes, demands more, despite a lack of need.
ReplyDeleteWithin the United States, over the past 100 years, there has been a clear shift in priorities. This idea has been confirmed by the United States Census Bureau. As the population has grown, and the percentage of people who own a home (which have grown larger) and the number of registered vehicles have both increased, one number has experienced a significant decline: the number of persons per household. Now, while there are a number of factors as to why this has occurred, such as the increased use of birth control and abortions, it is worth noting that there appears to be a direct correlation between increased spending and the decline of large families. As mentioned previously, the American dream has been redefined several times, and it seems, that with the decline of the average household size, a newfound focus on materialism has taken hold of this dream and society.
Now, to build on this idea of materialism, it is also necessary to look further into how society has evolved. As stated in Lauren Sandler’s article in Psychology Today, “The growth of the interstate highway system … accelerated the surge to the suburbs … We spend our lives ferrying between cubicle and soccer practice, with nary an hour to spare.” She goes on to quote Tim Kasser: “The more people focus on a materialistic pathway to happiness, the less happy they tend to be ….” While the American dream, at times, had been seen as a way to become content, stable, and independent, it has seemed to change drastically – in both directions. While many spend their time, as stated by Sandler and Kessler, competing with co-workers and neighbors while also trying to manage their own busy schedules, others have begun to see the American dream not as something they work for, but rather, something to which they are entitled. For example, in his article published in American Studies Today Online, Matthew Warshauer details those who seek an easy way to the American dream. Instead of working towards such a goal, many have arrived at the conclusion that comes from “luck” or they “deserve” it; this has only been further fostered by former President Obama’s call for “affordable college” (which is totally idealistic and contains little meaning) and others’ calls for ramped up immigration levels and amnesty for those the young girl in Source F appears to fighting for. Certainly, these things all sound nice, but they take away from those who have made an honest effort to seek out the American dream – whether they are native born citizens or legal immigrants.
Today, it seems that the American dream and, in return, American society have been polluted by a desire for more – both by those who have sought it and demanded it. This evolution has contributed to a sense of envy and greed that have been attained by going beyond need and contentment; yet, at the same time, it has also been demanded by those who feel they are entitled to it, at the expense of the average American. It may seem like a strange and unlikely paradox, yet it is nonetheless present and true today.
7
DeleteYou had a very strong introduction which informed the readers on the problem you were addressing. Next, I think it was a good idea to include the idea of materialism, and you did a good job explaining what it meant. This was a very good blog. Great work!
8
DeleteThis is a great essay overall. As Bethany said, you had a strong introduction. I also liked how you touched on Americans and their constant desire for more. I also enjoyed your straightforward comments on Obama’s unrealistic idealism in his commencement address. I feel as though you could further expand on that, as it is quite the lofty claim. I will say, in-text citations are common practice for the AP Exam, you may be deducted points if they are not included when one source is referenced. Otherwise, this was an extraordinary blog.
8
DeleteYour introduction was incredible and helped to establish your tone for the rest of your piece. Your ideas flowed very smoothly from one another, making it easy for the reader to digest and process.
Since the establishment of the United States of America, those who already reside there or travel there know that America is full of opportunity. This message is shown throughout the media, the politicians, and the history. Yet, so many still struggle financially and finding happiness. The American Dream does not apply to everyone, although it should. The dream tends to favor those who look a certain way or came from a certain place. The definition of the dream cannot be defined due to its inconsistencies and failures for the people. People do not chase the dream because the dream only applies to few.
ReplyDeleteImmigration and the increase in population has brought many people seeking help or freedom from their past life. Those who come prepared with working skills and an education tend to fair well in their new life. What about those who come unprepared? America does not offer much help in order to get them on the right track. Most people fall into poverty and never receive the help they were looking for. As Robert Bryd says, the fall of immigrants making it is from the lack of education for them. It is difficult to do anything high paying without an education, and school is very expensive. A newcomer cannot afford it, which limits his or her American dream.
The dream is also very bias of who can reach it. Immigrants are often denied their road to their goals because of who they are. This is completely unfair to those who truly work towards their dream. For example, the arrests of the immigrants at the Southern California airports halted their dedication of making it in America. Instead of the United States helping them, the United States threw them in jail for working. This defeats the purpose of supporting all people in their work towards the great life. Also, it is very difficult for someone who is treated indifferently to obtain any goals. The West Side Story shows the great difficulty it is when going to America through a confrontation between Anita and Bernardo. Anita claims she will take advantage of buying on credit, and Bernando responds that her looks will have people charge her twice. Sadly, this is extremely true. Other Americans limit those who seek the dream based on their looks. The dream is exclusive in whom it is applied to.
Matthew Warshauer wrote about how the American Dream is unattainable because of the high expectations of receiving things instead of working for them. It is true that there are thousands who feel entitled to receive things, but those who work hard are often ignored. People love to acknowledge the negatives and tell these people what they are doing wrong. These same people are the last to offer help. A person who works hard towards their goal is often denied help when asking for it. Why is this? Why do people claim individualism is the only way to become successful? As Barak Obama says, “Instead of doing nothing or simply defending 20th-century solutions, let's imagine together what we could do to give every American a fighting chance in the 21st century.” People need to build each other up to obtain their dreams, even if it is not the same for everyone.
The American Dream seems to be on pause in America. There are too many immoral actions going on that limit the number of those who seek it. The dream is not the sane for everyone, but everyone needs to be given the same opportunities to reach their own. America can still be the place for dreams to come true, but not until the dream is allowed to be applied to everyone.
4/5
DeleteMaddie, while I think you do a good job of choosing sources and finding examples from the sources to build upon your thesis, there are a few things that concerned me while reading your argument. First of all, in your third paragraph, you spoke of immigrants arrested for “working.” Although this may contain a bit of conservative bias on my part, I don’t think you addressed the idea fully. These individuals arrested were illegal immigrants, and I think that with the heated immigration debate of today, someone would have come back with the idea that “how is it fair that some come in through the proper legal processes and wait the amount of time needed despite their circumstance, while others can skip this step.” And so, I think you needed to try to address this counterargument because it’s SOOO important, especially for what you’re arguing.
Also, I was kind of lost in your fourth paragraph. I just didn’t really understand how your thoughts were connecting and relating back to your thesis. For example, in the third sentence of it, I didn’t really understand, when reading the first couple of times, what you meant or to whom you were referring to when you were talking about people “acknowledging negatives” and telling “people what they are doing wrong.” I think that if you were to be more specific in your explanations of certain things/include more details, this argument would have been better.
6
DeleteMaddie, I enjoyed your blog and think that you did well in developing your opinion based on your information, however I do not agree with your final sentence.
Since the term itself has been established, “the American Dream” has been presented in numerous lights. For many, it represented the total package: having a nice house, a nice family, a nice car, and a nice job. However, as time has changed, so has this.
ReplyDeleteThe American Dream used to feel more attainable. Anyone with hope and tenacity could work hard and accomplish their goals. This seems to be less true for some people than others. For example, recently, the DACA program has been threatened like never before. Children brought to the United States under DACA previously had the right to be protected. Now, they are being deported. DACA children are known as Dreamers, derived from the American Dream. Many of them live successful lives, but it is being threatened by changes that they have very little parts in. Who is the American Dream available to? Previously, it was described as an option for everyone, regardless of background. Does it depend on how a person views it that gives it meaning, such as the song from West Side Story that shows separate viewpoints on America’s opportunities? People like Robert Byrd may assume that every problem in America is caused by people from other countries trying to achieve the American Dream and essentially stealing it from Americans. Immigrants cannot be blamed for “stealing” jobs. The unemployment rate in the U.S. has gone down in recent years as immigration has increased. The desire to work hard for fulfillment, however, seems to be decreasing. People look for a scapegoat to explain why they have not been handed the perfect life. Matthew Warshauer put it best, stating, “The even darker side to this cultural phenomenon is how the sense of entitlement has spilled over into a lack of responsibility... Ultimately, most Americans would like to achieve the American Dream of financial independence. Yet it is the means to achieving it that are essential to the nation's ethical foundations. It seems that many Americans covet the easy road to the Dream and in the process undercut the core values that established the Dream in the first place.”
The American Dream once held a spirit of hard work and perseverance. Now it feels more like a term used to manipulate feelings towards specific groups. All of us need to re-evaluate our society; times change, and so too should we. We should not get to decide who should triumph and who should suffer. The American Dream, for me, has lost all meaning. The blame and anguish it causes does more harm than good. Only by regaining sight of who we should be and working as hard and honestly as possible can we truly accomplish the American Dream.
6
DeleteI think you could have had just a tiny bit longer of an introduction. You had a very strong body paragraph that helped explain your essay. You also included great sources too. Well done.
5
DeleteYour discussion does a fine job answering to the prompt. You waste no time getting into the discussion, which does you well, and your DACA discussion ties your piece into the times, perfect for the prompt. However, I feel like you could have drawn more from the sources, as what you pulled from them was pretty general. But you do a nice job answering the prompt.
5
DeleteI like how you stated your thesis right from the start, it set up a tone for the essay. Also, you did a good job of fighting agaiant Robert Bryd’s argument within your paper. A few more sources could have been incorporated though.
Ever since July 4, 1776, there has been a dream amongst the citizens known as, the “American Dream.” The American Dream is what every single person strives for, or what seems ideal during the time period. For example, during the 1920s, everyone wanted to live in a secure and safe home, have a car, and a family. If someone had had all of these items, they were considered to be very fortunate. Now, there is controversy on how to achieve this dream and as well as if it even still exists today.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of what the “American Dream” is has been a major topic of discourse in our society. The main idea that sparks this conversation is immigration. Our country will provide the citizens with what they need; however, people need to work for what they want. It is believed that the only way for someone to actually be happy with the materials they have is to work for everything. Sometimes, working does not get someone anywhere. This is why immigration has become a problem. Years ago, immigration occurred in order for these people to have a better life, and of course to achieve the American Dream. They used to work long hours in order to stay out of poverty. The problem today is, is that now these immigrants do not want to work which is causing more poverty than ever before. The only way to solve this problem is to create more jobs that would allow for more people to be qualified to work. “ The new jobs created would be filled by American workers trained with new skills and world-class education” (Obama).
The American Dream will always be able to be achieved. It can be achieved by anyone and everyone. This is because everyone thinks that one thing is more of a dream than others. You may dream of living in a big house in the city, while someone else may dream of living in a little cottage in the woods. This example is why the dream can be achieved by anyone who tries to. Yet again, work will need to be done. The problem with work is, “it’s not just a bummer getting to work, it’s the reality of stay there” (Sandler). People do not necessarily hate going to work, but they despise actually doing the work and staying there full time.
Over the years, the definition of what the American Dream is has definitely changed. Now, everyone is trying to be so high-class that this causes problems because they spend money that they do not have, which causes them to go into debt. The higher up class is now referred to as the “rags to riches” (Warshauer). This is trying to teach people how to become apart of a higher class.
5
DeleteWhile I liked your introduction, it soon lost my interest when you began using generalizations such as “everybody” and “everyone”. I think it is unfair to state that no immigrants work hard anymore because that is completely untrue and turned me off of your point even further.
6
DeleteYou had a very good introduction that grabbed my attention. I think you did a good job organizing your points as well.
5
DeleteYou had a very strong introduction. I think you could ha e used your sources better but all of your points were written very well. Nice job
“Their life looks great - they must really be living the dream.” What exactly is the dream? In most cases, the dream being referred to is the American Dream, which has been a prevalent theme throughout the history of the development of our country, and like history, has changed through time with it. A common definition of the American Dream may read “the ideal that every US citizen should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative” or something along those lines. And although the idea of achieving this dream may remain true for most, what “success and prosperity” meant in the 1900’s surely does not carry the same meaning it does today.
ReplyDeleteMatthew Warshauer stated that “There are unquestionably many Americans who continue to abide by such tenets and in doing so are rewarded for their efforts. Yet there are also those who have come to believe that the American Dream's promise of riches is just that, a promise, and as such they feel entitled to instant financial success.” I think this is one of the most concrete examples of how the idea of the American Dream has changed thus far. In the past, “working towards the dream” or “living the dream” may have meant having a stable job, starting a family, buying a house and a vehicle and continuing to thrive. However, this has changed. Dreams have become way more materialistic, statistics have very thoroughly proved this to us. In her Psychology Today story, Lauren Sandler said “Fifty years ago homes averaged 1,700 square feet. Now that figure is up to 2,700, and interior architecture, in Duany's mind, exists to mimic an urban world where few Americans dwell today. The double-height entry hall is the surrogate of the town square; the media room supplants the theater; the master suite practically exists as its own townhouse.” While some work to achieve this, others feel entitled to it. They feel the American Dream now means a direct promise of striking it rich and engaging in the competition of obtaining the most material items. For some this may ring true, however, others have yet to feel this sensation, mainly immigrants in particular.
The idea of the American Dream has caused a huge number of immigrants to come over to this country, both legally and illegally, but the idea of success and prospering was regardless the driving force. However, all immigrants were not cut out to thrive in America, mainly because they were not nearly as educated as they should have been, along with a language barrier that most could not overcome, resulting in poverty for most. Robert Byrd highlights on this, stating “In the year 2000, according to the Center for Immigration Studies, 41.4 percent of established immigrants lived in or near poverty, compared to 28.8 percent of natives. The situation had completely reversed itself from thirty years before, when, in 1970, established immigrants were actually less likely than natives to have low incomes, with about 25.7 percent living in or near poverty compared with 35.1 percent of the native population.” Looking through the duration of the American Dream thus far, it seems that it has drastically changed, both with regards to the idea of equal opportunity and what success and prosperity means now.
6
DeleteErick, I think you did a great job, in your introduction, stating your thesis and providing the information necessary to help your reader understand the argument. Also, I feel that your body paragraph did build a decent argument in regards to how the American dream has changed; however, I also feel you transition too quickly between ideas, and your ideas are not fully expressed. For example, following Sandler’s quote, you quickly jump into the sense of entitlement present, and I think you could have made that transition better.
And also, in your final paragraph about immigration, I didn’t really fully understand how it related to your thesis until I came to your concluding sentence (about the idea of equal opportunity). I think you could have made that connection earlier on for the reader. Other than those couple of things, I think you did a great job using the resources provided to construct a great argument!
7, Erick really nice job with providing statistics and information to back up your thoughts. I think you really took the sources to your best use.
DeleteThe American Dream is a term one hears tossed around from time to time that generally carries with it some positive connotations, usually with fond thoughts of happiness and wealth. And to many, the American Dream entails having a high-paying job, a roomy house in the suburbs, a very nice car, and overall happiness. However, this famous, storied vision of both American citizens and those who have immigrated to our fair land has become somewhat foggy as of late.
ReplyDeleteOur country, since its inception, has been touted as a land of opportunity, a land where everyone is free to live their lives and has an equal opportunity to prosper. However, this is not always the case. Too often, it seems that minorities get the short end of the stick. Regardless of whether that is indeed the case, just the fact that it SEEMS like minorities and immigrants are worse off from the start acts as a threat to the American Dream. Many immigrants have come to America since before our official beginnings after the American Revolution, each of them seeking a sliver of the American Dream pie. But, as is alluded to in “America” from the “West Side Story” (Source D) many of these hopeful people wind up having their dreams crushed out like a midnight cigarette before they even have a chance to establish themselves on our terra firma. As such, one can no longer claim that America offers each and every person in our country the chance to prosper. Simply that there exists those with this notion of minority exclusion from the American Dream effectively nullifies any accurate claim that prosperity is promised to all, unless this notion can be done away with.
With that in mind, it cannot be denied that the American Dream IS still possible to achieve, so long as one is willing to give it a little bit of elbow grease. The hunger to live the American Dream is one that every person will experience at some point. Everyone would like to live the easy life. However, the vision of the American Dream has become foggy due mostly to people who are dead-set on living out the dream, but have no intention of lifting a finger to get there. Enter the millionaire game show, the lotteries, and injury lawyers, who give people the notion that they are entitled to the American Dream, simply for being Americans (Source C). All of these are merely a get-rich-quick scheme on the part of the individuals behind them, as the likelihood of achieving the American dream through these bodies is still quite slim, and requires participants to cough up some money up front-whether it be legal fees, the cost of a lottery ticket, or the cost of a plane ticket to Hollywood for the game show taping (which probably charges as entrance fee)-which goes straight into the pocket of some executive, who is getting rich off people trying to achieve the American dream. Since these people are leaving it up to chance and luck, they are no better off than anyone else. And too often, people who get rich off these schemes just turn around and spend without thought, as it required no effort on their part to get where they are. Since so much is at stake, it is better to take the low road, and work hard to achieve the dream, albeit not too hard, as the workaholic is often miserable (Source E). Nonetheless, the American Dream is achievable, so long as one is willing to work for it.
At this point in history, one could probably make the claim that the American dream has changed. It could be argued that the new definition of the dream is just to be happy! Americans have been spending so much time working, commuting, building up, and worrying that they have lost sight of what the American Dream is arguably all about-being happy. Most people foolishly believe that if they have a 3000-plus square foot home, a Mercedes in the driveway, and a high-dollar job, they will be happy. But too often, people worry too much about reaching this point. If one has no worries, one will be happy. Therefore, the definition of the dream could simply be changed to “just being happy.”
7. I gave you this score because I think you put a great deal of effort into this and you presented some well developed points. I personally liked your second paragraph. You also did a good job citing your references. Great job!
DeleteOver the last couple centuries, much has changed. One thing, however, has remained universally the same, and that is the presence of the ideal of the American Dream. While the ideal remains, though, the actual idea may have changed. The American Dream today seems much different than in, say, the 1800s. Back then, it was about work ethic and being a self-made man. Now, it feels more akin to sitting back and letting someone do the work for you while you become rich and famous. That said, however, it is not impossible to recapture the ideal of old.
ReplyDeleteRobert Bryd sees the increase and influx of immigration as of late as a negative thing. However, as Source C states, the crux of the American Dream is good and honest hard work. In my personal opinion, it does not matter where you are from, who you are, or, to a certain extent, what you’ve done, if you work hard, you can succeed. Today, much is said about immigration and how it may result in jobs being stolen. In some cases, they may be. However, can you blame employers for hiring the harder worker? Many people in America today feel entitled to money and success, as stated by Source C. They think that because they are American, the American Dream should just stop at their doorstep like any old mail. I’m reality, this could not be further from the truth. The American Dream is about hard work and sustained work ethic, from its very roots.
Overall, the definition of the American Dream has not changed much. It is still about fame and fortune, but what has changed is the American people’s view on how to achieve it. Instead of putting their nose to the grindstone and just working hard, people want things handed to them. With that said, it is still possible to achieve the American Dream. All it takes is a lot of hard work.
7
DeleteI loved your piece. You were able to discuss both sides of the topic without getting overly defensive or critical. It was well-written but still easy to read and understand.
4
DeleteI really enjoyed your essay as it was very interesting but it was a little off prompt and short. It needed to include three of the sources and you only had one.
5
DeleteIt was a nice piece overall, but I must point out, as Kristen did, that it only referenced one source. Otherwise, you manage to stay relatively objective. I would adopt a more formal tone for the AP test, but if that is the style you think best fits, it does set your piece apart from the endless stream of papers being graded.
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ReplyDeleteSince the beginning of the United States of America, this nation has always been built around a dream. The dream of freedom planted a seed that would grow into what we know today. That same seed would branch out to grow into the bravery, faithfulness, and persistence that our country is built upon. The “American Dream” has always been around, although it has always been changing and adapting. As our humble little nation grew it became easier to have the American Dream, thus people strived for bigger and better things, changing the dream as they went. Although it has changed, the core of the Dream has stuck. That core is happiness. We all want to be happy, that’s what it all boils down to in the end.
ReplyDeleteThe American Dream has been around as long as America has. We were built upon hope after all. Along with the Dream came a promise that all people who lived in this great nation would be given the chance to live out their own “American Dream” no matter what the circumstance. I believe that this promise still holds up today. No where did it ever say that this would be easy, we had to fight to get where we are today. The dream won’t be handed to us, but if we truly want it we can work for it and achieve it. The lyrics from source D sound like they disprove this, however they only strengthen it. Yes, minorities will struggle trying to achieve this dream. However, if there was no struggle there would be no dream. If there was no struggle, everyone would achieve the dream, making it pointless. The dream will only come through fighting for it. The lyrics from source D sum it up best when they say, “Life can be bright in America, If you can fight in America.” This struggle to live out our dreams is what we were built upon, the minute we lose sight of that is the minute the American Dream is destroyed.
Many people think that the American Dream is now impossible to love out. These people are completely wrong, and source A probes it. 10% of the American population is from immigrants. That’s 28.4 million immigrants both legal and illegal. So why are all these people coming here? Because of the American Dream. There is nowhere else that offers what we do when it comes to dreams. All of these immigrants coming here are dreamers. They strive for something bigger then themselves. I believe they fit right in with the rest of us.
One of the most simple, yet powerful sources is source F. It pictures a young Hispanic girl with a sign that reads “It’s our American Dream too.” While this once again may seem like it is proof that the American Dream is false, it is actually quite the opposite. This young girl is actually living out the American Dream. She is using her freedom, she is allowed to protest with signs like that. She has a dream that she may be given a chance at prosperity. Her dream is very similar to a well known man name Martin Luther King Jr. We all know that he had a dream, and I’m sure her’s isn’t too far off from his.
The American Dream is still alive and well, living out through this who chose to strive for greatness. We are a nation of dreamers, we are told to reach for the stars and yet we still aim higher. I believe that this is what will keep the flame of the American Dream burning for generations to come.
8. I chose to give you an eight because I truly feel this was well written. You made three complete points and built off of each of them. You had a great introduction especially the last two or three sentences. I can tell you really put some effort and thought into this. Very well done!
DeleteThe American Dream is something that forms our world around us. It encourages us to be successful and reach for something we may believe is beyond what we can do. But how has our dream changed over time? Whether we want to admit it or not, the American Dream is not upheld the way that it once was.
ReplyDeleteThe American Dream, rags to riches, pour to prosperous. All way to describe the ethics and motivation of the American way of life. This lifestyle described by Matthew Warshauer tells that if you work hard, save well, and live responsibly any one person has the opportunity to have a financially successful and stable social standing. However, through the work of game shows, lotteries, casinos, Americans today choose to take the “easy way” through these methods. They depend on luck rather than hard work to get them to where they want to be. This leads to a somewhat less successful society, in the way that people don’t feel they need to depend on themselves all the time.
This dream life was supposed to be an equal opportunity, a life that everyone could achieve. The song “America” from West Side Story shows how this wasn’t always true. Throughout the song, the girls sing as they’re excited to experience the prosperous life of America. They boys, however, realize this isn’t offered for them. People from places like Puerto Rico went through a lot to try and get a place that many Americans could easily reach. They would hide their accent, change their names, and even get doors slammed in their face. While their were so many beautiful things around, many of these are shut off to people from “outside worlds.” It can still be seem in our world today. There’s a powerful picture of Vianney Rubio protesting Hispanic arrests. The black and white picture shows the young girl with nothing but a sign that says “it’s our American Dream top.” It shows that this doesn’t only affect adults from other cultures, but children too. Opportunities are taken from people who really deserve a shot, sometimes more than those who appear to “belong” in our society.
The American Dream, hope, prosperity, freedom. All parts of the morals we like to say make up our country. The times have slowly been changing, and America needs to continue to change with it. After all, if we want the American Dream to really work, we also have to focus on equality, love, and compassion.
6/7
DeleteYour piece answered the prompt nicely. You do well in answering what was asked, and your discussion is thorough enough to provide some food for thought. The only thing I would say to do better is to draw more from the provided sources. What you did pull from them was put to use well, but was somewhat general. Otherwise, great work!
8
DeleteI give you an eight because you used the proper prompt by using three sources. You explained each source very well and had complete thoughts.
7
DeleteI thought you used each of your sources well. You used each of them to really drive your point home. You put them all together very well. Nice job.
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ReplyDeleteWhat is the American Dream? Is it money, a home, a job, family? In West Side Story, they characters sing a song about going to America and how nice it would be to go there and live the American Dream. Anita and Bernardo converse back in forth about the wonderful, exciting, and new things in America such as credit, housing, free items, and keeping clean. Bernardo tells Anita about the negatives of America. This tells us that the American Dream may not be the same for anyone or what everyone wants.
ReplyDeleteMany people from other countries can look at America and see all of the good and beautiful things about it, but not realize that there are bad things here as well. There are homeless people here because they cannot find a decent job or any job to support them. Americans have the longest workweek. There is a lot of traffic on the road because there are many more cars according to data from the past ninety years. People believe that coming to America will give them the rags to riches story. This may or may not be the case for some immigrants depending on where the come into and where they settle. They can land in a big city with extremely high living expenses and not have a good paying job or no job at all. Most things are not just handed to you because you live in America and that is how I think immigrants may feel before they come here. Life does not automatically get better because you live in America. When America was first found and a formal government was first set into place, they said that America was the land of opportunity and that it is home to many different people if they wanted to be free, but are Americans really accepting of others that are different? Are Americans really free? We are controlled by the government, but not in the same sene as China is. The government sets rules and laws that we are to follow which is what we need. We are free for o believe in any religion we want, but citizens are still ridiculed for being Christian or Muslim. The American Dream, by its original definition of offering freedom, prosperity, and opportunity to everyone regardless of their background, is fading. Less than fifty years ago, African Americans were not given the same opportunities as white people even though they were all citizens of the United States. They were not given freedom, opportunity, or the promise of prosperity. Instead they were jailed, killed, segregated, and denied work.
In order for the American Dream to revive itself to how it used to be, to give everyone equal opportunity and respect regardless of where they are from, people need to start changing their opinions and their mindset because the world will never stop changing and reinventing itself. Everyone needs to realize that we are on this world temporarily and everyone should get the chance to have the best experience that they can.
5ish
DeleteI think this is a pretty fresh approach to the prompt. I think the statistics/facts could have been incorporated more organically, but your point isn’t crippled the way you wrote it. It feels a little stuttery (I can’t think of another word), and I think breaking each of your points into paragraphs, even small ones, would help readers digest it. There is some really good content in here, but there are some things I find a little odd. I am a little confused as to how the progress made for the rights of minorities such as African Americans is regressive to the ideas presented in the American Dream. Wouldn’t that be fulfilling it? Either way, this is a job well done.
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DeleteI agree with Anna, this is a pretty fresh approach to the prompt. However, although your ideas were great, other than in your first paragraph, you did not cite where your stats came from. It says to do so in the prompt.
America was created upon high working conditions and the idea of an independent society. During the time of the push for the American Dream, people tried their best to become the best. Being known as the family with all riches of joy and money was the best. The American Dream was started by evolutionists that wanted to bring back the foundation of America. The majority of people pictured this event as the white picket fence house with a happy family made of two parents with two kids and a dog. The husband would have a nice 9-5 job while the wife was a stay at home mother. The children attended school and played after school. The idealist image is happiness with money.
ReplyDeleteThe American Dream has become twisted in today’s society. The majority of people trying to achieve the American Dream in the ‘20’s were immigrants escaping their bad past. Now with new immigrant laws, people are unable to come to America to achieve what they want; the American Dream. Such people are willing to risk it all for the house, family and job that they need. Illegal immigrants have been arrested in order to control populations, but they might have lived here for years. They have begun their dream and America is taking it away from them. From source F, it shows that people, even young people, are protesting for their right in America to achieve their dream, but we are the ones holding them back. Within the document of source A, Robert Byrd believes that immigrants are having issues once they come to America. Some people are skilled but others are not are become poor in a short amount of time. It is predicted that by 2054, there will be 400 million immigrants, the majority of them might not be educated. This leads to problems of money and education that the country has to deal with. On the other spectrum, according to source B, a speech from President Obama, the United States is about giving opportunities and hope to those who do not have it. The opportunities of education, jobs, reformation and much more can be achieved by those wanting their own American Dream. It is all very controversial on the topic of the American Dream because of how it has changed between the last 100 years.
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DeleteI really liked your opening paragraph that summarized what the American Dream actually was, I think that was a great touch. I think a few of your sources could have been elaborated upon a little more, however you still did a good job
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DeleteHmmm there are some really interesting things going on here. I think the things you say are well established but a bit disconnected. Each paragraph flows independently, but together I just sort of struggle (and that could just be my own fault/problem!). Is your focus on the change of meaning regarding the American Dream? Is the modern debate on immigration/an immigrant’s entitlement to the same opportunities really a “twisted” depiction of the American Dream? You’re right—suburbia really doesn’t capture the zeitgeist of the current era, but is that a bastardization of the Dream? I think your pattern was logical and overall pretty good. I just wanted to supply some things to think about. Good job!
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DeleteYour introduction is very good in establishing your point and giving your definition of the American Dream — happiness with money. I feel like you could have used at least one more source to back up your points. Also, great use of the statistics in your arguement.
America is often touted as the land of dreamers, a place of promise. It is seen as the epitome of opportunity, the fullness of freedom. It is ingrained in the culture that this country offers abundance for all. It provides for those who are willing to provide for themselves. It gives a chance of betterment of circumstance. It offers a chance to live fully, to thrive. America is built on this ideal. The American dream is an age-old concept reflective of the desires of the people, desires for fame and fortune, stability and comfort, etc. Truthfully, however, the American dream is flawed. In reality, it serves as more of an empty promise than most would care to admit. It is an ideology that, at times, seems to border on fallacious.
ReplyDeleteThe American dream is not afforded indiscriminately to all citizens regardless of their status or situation. It is, instead, a glamorized shell of a promise that opportunity will be equal. The American dream promises indiscriminate opportunity for all willing to put in the work and the effort. And while some have tried to circumvent this important aspect of the dream by attempting to amass wealth from lotteries and game shows (Source C), most are aware of the importance of the hard work and hardships that accompany the “rags to riches” narrative. Still, this idea that “hard work, frugality, and self-sacrifice” (Source C) alone can create the so-called “self-made man” is a bit ridiculous. While these attributes are beyond important in getting an individual out of a less than ideal situation, it is not these virtues that need to be examined more closely. It is, instead, the situations from which these individuals are attempting to escape. Many are born or raised into circumstances where they are put at a disadvantage because of aspects of identity such as socioeconomic or immigrant status. The song “America” from West Side Story, for example, features lyrics reflective of this unfairness detailing the lack of opportunities afforded to immigrants living in the city (Source D). It shows something inherent to the so-called “American dream”—it is not available to everyone. Whether it be from true, inevitable disadvantage or learned helplessness inspired by programs of gentrification, there is always an underlying issue with the American dream as something unavailable to all. The truth is that opportunity is not—and cannot—be afforded equally. It takes far more for a man from a lower class background, educated in an underprivileged school district to become “self-made” than it does for a continuing-generation Ivy League student. This is not to say that the American dream is not completely out of reach, simply that it is not ubiquitous. The fact that there are miraculous cases of men and women escaping cyclical phenomena such as poverty is something worth acknowledging. However, the odd success or miracle case is not an accurate representation. None of this is accurate to the ideal of the American dream.
This is not the era of the American dream. This is hour of the American pipe dream.
The American Dream — the idea that any American, regardless of circumstance, can achieve a life of moderate success. It is the idea that anyone can have a high-paying job, a nice house, and a family. The concept dates back to the earliest settlers of America, the pioneers who escaped religious persecution to create a better life for themselves. It is a concept that is still believed in today.
ReplyDeleteDespite the dream, many Americans face a crisis — the dream they once dreamed has been lost. Mean annual salary among working Americans, despite increasing over recent years, still cannot support the “American Dream” lifestyle everyone wants to enjoy, unemployment rates skyrocketed during the Obama-era recession, and Americans, on average, have fewer children. This decrease in children results in the individual citizen achieving their own great American Dream, despite the insufficient salary to cover multiple dreams. Two to three-person households account for three hundred million citizens, while these same citizens have houses much larger than three to four-person households (Source G). This backwards version of the American Dream is no longer the same dream. It is no longer the American Dream.
What has caused this collapse of the dream life for Americans? It traces back to the unemployment rate and the mean annual salary. These two factors pool together to create an environment where an American Dream — with a job, house, and family — is nearly impossible. Americans have faced a sharp decrease in available jobs since 2008. Although this number is beginning to return to acceptable levels, many Americans still feel the effects of the recession, and many Americans still ask why. Why did this happen? Why must they lose their jobs and not be paid enough to support the family so desperately desired?
One of the fundamental principles of economics is the idea of limited quantities. There is a limited supply of jobs, and there is a limited supply of money. These supplies are adjustable, but they remain relatively constant in terms of growth and decay. In a country of three hundred million, there is little chance of success if there are only one million jobs. That is the downfall of the American Dream — there are more citizens than jobs. This is worsened by the presence of illegal immigrants, who claim the American Dream as their own without being a citizen (Source F). They enter the country and remain illegally, taking jobs that would have otherwise helped the working American achieve their dream.
That is the downfall of the American Dream — the supply of workers outweighs the supply of jobs. This leads to a spike of unemployment and lower wages, as workers reduce their salary expectations in exchange for a job. The competitive job market has turned the once great dream to be realized by every hardworking citizen into the dream of only a few individuals, citizens or not.
The American Dream has not changed over time, but the way Americans view this “dream” has changed immensely. Ask a Republican and a Democrat the first question in this prompt and one may very well receive two different answers – “white republicans are only provided with the American Dream” or “immigrants have too many chances at this dream.” From this standpoint, the questions seem to only reach a mere subjective thought which differs drastically from the roots of the American truth. America is built upon an objective truth – all people are equal and have an opportunity to pursue happiness. The American Dream is built upon a truth, not emotions and individual desires. Therefore, only an objective standpoint can come even remotely close to answer the three prompt questions.
ReplyDeleteA subjective example includes “America” from West Side Story portrayed during the early 1960’s in which the (Boys) respond to life being “all right” in America by saying, “If you’re all white in America.” (Source D) This statement might be true, but it’s a bold statement to say if “you’re all white” because that means every single person throughout America who is not white – is also not experiencing an “all right life.” Objectively, I struggle with this statement. An example which differs drastically from the West Side Story comes from a person who is not “all white” and that’s Barak Obama several years before his presidency. In 2005 Obama optimistically states, “America is a land of big dreamers and big hopes.” (Source B) Objectively, I can agree with this statement because it’s not specific to race, sex, or age. In this specific sense, Obama has set aside personal desires and emotions to reach an objective thought.
My analysis may seem shallow or even too “black and white” but the subjective approach to any of these questions automatically leads in a direction away from the original American Dream founded upon freedom. Freedom which only comes from sacrifice and teamwork. Freedom which only comes from a bold Declaration in the face of evil. Freedom which only comes in men and women sacrificing their personal lives for the good of the country. Subjectively, my answer is a resounding “no” to the three questions. But, objectively speaking, it’s very realistic for any person in American to experience prosperity, achieve the dream, and experience the original definition.
Everyone is in search of the American Dream. The American Dream varies from person to person around the United States so the definition sometimes becomes misunderstood. Most people view the American Dream as having a nice house, a good income, and a stable family life. The American Dream has changed over time. In the present, people want more material things in their lives, whereas in the past Americans just wanted happy lives. Can everyone truly achieve the American Dream? Some people may not have the advantages that others to do achieve this dream. With hard work though, anyone can accomplish whatever they set their minds to.
ReplyDeleteImmigration is the main stem of controversy concerning the American Dream. It is shown that most people who immigrate to the United States live in lower income areas. They are not as successful as native born Americans. In reference A, it is shown that 41.4% of immigrants live in poverty. That would not be considered the American Dream, right? Well, it may be their definition of the American Dream. Why else would they come to American? They clearly are in search of a better life and the United States would provide that for them.
The American Dream has to start with the individual them self. It has to take the hard work and determination of an individual in order to achieve their version of the American Dream. As Barack Obama said, “America is a land of big dreamers and big hopes.” It has to start small and work itself up. It has to take determination and the willingness to succeed. Even if people may not have all of the assets to achieve their dreams, they should still be able to find a way. Even through the darkest of times people will find the light.
On the other hand some people believe that since they are American they deserve the American Dream. Some think they do not have to work hard to earn what they want. Reference C talks of the entitlement that most Americans seem to have regarding the American Dream. The American Dream is not some promise or right that a native born American receives. Any one who lives in America has the opportunity to achieve their version of the American Dream. It just takes hard work and real effort to earn it.
Overall, the American Dream has evolved over time. All people should have access to this Dream, but they should also have to work hard to achieve it. Everyone has a different version of the American Dream, you just need to count of yourself to reach that goal.
The age of enlightenment brought forth a new culture and new idealism that was manifested in the Americas, a refuge for those subjugated by tyranny. This story is best exemplified by the American revolution, which wasn't just a revolution against tyranny, but a revolution for freedom, something that later became associated with the American Dream. The American Dream was apparent at its founding, and is still available to anyone who seeks to rise in society today. To a large extent, however, the American Dream has been degrated. The government of the United States has slowly but steadily continued to impose its ideals, rather than impose the freedom to pursue ideals, onto the people. Although it is still possible to pursue one's own purpose and one's own ideals, there is a dangerous trend that has pervaded American politics since the 1930s and 40s that has steadily removed incentives for innovation and focused primarily on providing rather than pursuing.
ReplyDeleteIn the works of Matthew Warshuerer, he believes that the American Dream is impossible to achieve due to entitlements and "work" losing its meaning. There is no doubt that entitlements pose possibly the greatest national security threat to the United States. Social Security, welfare, and various government-subsisized programs have fostered incompetence, sheltered inefficiency and totally destroyed any hope for many people to pursue the American Dream. The American Dream is still achievable, but is more dangerous and more difficult than ever before to achieve. The song from the West Side Story puts it best.
The American Dream can loosely be defined as the ability to pursue one's own view of the good life, one's own purpose. This should be valued above all else as the purpose of government, to allow this pursuit, to protect the American Dream. At current pace, the American Dream will be lost and replaced with a some arbitrary set of values imposed by government. As of today, there is no greater threat to America and its dream than America itself.