the american dream: myth or reality?
by madalyn Thompson
Since the tender age in which we as children began to imagine growing up and thinking forward to our futures, weddings, children, and homes, we have imagined our American Dream, and what we hope our lives will consist of by the time we die.
We have gone out of our way to dream up such things because our entire culture has been brought up on it since its infancy when we were freed of Britain's rule, and we thought of such things even before we were free. Even those who weren’t considered free or seen as less human dreamed of a day in which they were looked upon as the rich white man’s equal. Not much has changed through the years. That is except for the fact that all Americans are supposed to have the same rights and are to be treated as equals no matter their gender, race, ethnicity, religion, and background history. However, that’s not always the case. It does not change the fact that even after all the injustices done and committed from the beginning of our country's history till now, all people look to dream of a better day, a better life. The term “American Dream” was first used in 1931 by historian James Truslow Adams. Originally defined as, “The dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for every man, with opportunity for each according to his ability or achievement,” in the present, everyone has a different idea of what the American Dream means. This concept has been discussed almost daily in English 11, and students have read a variety of texts about this theme, such as A Raisin in the Sun, and it has been something that we as people have always imagined, but never truly considered up until now. Especially with everything you hear on the news, it’s something that has come into light in recent months, and is making an impact in all of our lives. To gain more insight as to what a larger population thought of the American Dream we asked Craig students what they thought defined the American Dream. Questioning if they believed it was fully accessible for all people, and if and when they believe they’ll reach their own dreams and goals. When students at Craig High School were asked about what they believe their American Dream to be, a variety of answers were given on both accounts if they believed in it or not. Some students, though responses were anonymous, were very optimistic to what they believe defines the American Dream. In the end it was concluded that there were three types of people that surrounded themselves with the different ideas of the American Dream. The first sort of person is the one that believes in it completely and thinks that it can be in everyone's future. The first student fully believed that the American Dream was equally attainable by all Americans, but in the same token wasn’t sure if a part of it started off as a make believe concept that only began, as well, a dream. “The “American Dream” is that with hard work, you can accomplish anything regardless of race, gender, or socioeconomic status,” the student said. |
Another student thought the complete opposite, however, believing that the American Dream wasn’t close to being easily obtainable by all Americans and that it had never been more than a myth parents told their kids in hopes they move up in life. The student wrote, “The American Dream is a bunch of nonsense made up to give Americans a false sense of self superiority when comparing themselves with equally fine places.”
The third type of person has to deal with something completely different. They don’t look at the material things they can gain from the dream, nor do they look at the jumps they can make through the classes. Instead they look for the acceptance they can bring for themselves in their heart, “For me, the ‘dream’ is about happiness,” the student wrote. “If I am satisfied with my life, it doesn’t matter what I have.” In the end it’s up to the individual to determine through their beliefs and knowledge if the American Dream is accessible for all, and if that’s something they can reach for, or if it's just a myth. Yet it can easily be determined that there’s no exact answer, nor science to the question if the American Dream is real or not, and what it consists of. |