When talking about the American Dream there are many different viewpoints. One may think about billionaires on Wall Street, professional football players, Successful drug dealers, and even Immigrants who simply score a consistent job that’s enough to feed their family. Any way you put it, the American dream is centered on money, social status and stability. In the particular scene titled “I'm Broke Baby” of Charles Stone III’s biographical African-American coming of age movie Paid in Full (2002), the scene perfectly depicts three different levels of affluence enroute to the American Dream from the perspective and viewpoint of those in the midst of the ‘80’s drug scene. First, the hood rich hustler, Mitch, who strives for a materialistic, flashy …show more content…
and famous lifestyle. Then finally, the viewer can see the older, lower key, humble and genuinely wealthy man, Lulu, who has made it to a comfortable place financially. Though both the hood wealth and genuinely wealth positions are achieved above the law, this scene draws the line between the two levels in terms of stability. Like many black coming of age films in the early ‘90’s including Ernest R.
Dickerson’s Juice (1992), John Singleton’s Boyz n the Hood (1991), and the Hughes brother’s Menace II society (1993), Paid in Full gives viewers a picture of the struggle, what it takes to survive and achieve the American dream in the hood. In a particular scene at the beginning of the movie, the main character, Ace, finds a small amount of cocaine in the pocket of some pants that he has dry-cleaned for a customer. Very shortly after his discovery, Ace’s jaw drops as he sees his best friend, East coast drug dealer, Mitch, parked outside of the dry-cleaners, flashing and bragging about his gold jewelry and his brand new 1985 Saab 900 convertible. When Ace leaves to go drop off the freshly dry cleaned clothes, he stops by the brand new Saab to compliment and congratulate Mitch. Shortly after, Mitch offers him a ride around town in his new car. After Ace refuses the ride, due to the fact that he has to drop off the dry-cleaned clothes to their owners, Mitch insists and offers to take his …show more content…
delivery. The scene then cuts to a slow-motion view of Mitch and Ace riding around town waving and receiving praise from everybody in the neighborhood as if they are royalty. With the expression and of Mitch’s face and the swagger and cockiness of his body language as he cruises down his block, the viewer can get a glimpse of Mitch’s true motivation. As he drives down the block in his brand new car, Mitch is essentially showcasing his possessions and therefore showcasing his social and financial status on the streets. The community recognizes this and thus gives him praise in acknowledgement. Quickly after Mitch and Ace’s royal parade in Mitch’s new slab, Mitch and Ace encounter another local drug dealer in traffic, with whom Mitch has a five thousand dollar bet with. While Mitch and the other local drug dealer proceed to get into a competition with Mitch over money and street status, the local drug dealer raises Mitch an extra five thousand dollars, says, “You act like you the only n**ga gettin’ money out here…. we gettin more money than you.” and proceeds to financially compete with Mitch. In that part of the scene, viewers can see the true meaning of hood affluence, Since the adjective “hood rich” means to be wealthy, (in a particularly more materialistic matter), on a smaller scale and in comparison to those of a poorer neighborhood like the block that Mitch and Ace live on, viewers can see that this competitive argument between the local drug dealer and Mitch embodies the hood rich lifestyle. As they compare their money cars and street status it is clear that they have the same demographic goals to achieve the highest level of materialistic hood affluence. Some could even go as far as to come to the conclusion that this notion of having money, cars and neighborhood prominence is Mitch and his competitor’s view of the American Dream. Next the scene cuts to Ace arriving at the apartment of his first customer, Lulu.
After Ace let’s Lulu know that he discovered the small amount cocaine in his pants pocket, Lulu tells Ace that he can keep it. After Lulu reveals that he is also a drug dealer, Ace is very surprised and tells Lulu that his possessions and clothes are “too nice” to be that of a drug dealers. Then Ace compares Lulu to Mitch and the other drug dealers by saying, “... they dress loud nice, you dress nice, nice”. In Ace’s eyes as the observer, Lulu’s “nice, nice” appearance showcases his genuine wealth on a broader scale, as opposed to Mitch’s “loud, nice “appearance, which is also that of a wealthy person, but only in comparison and competition to those in the poorer neighborhood around him.Thus, the line between hood wealth and genuine wealth is
drawn. Later in the scene Mitch stops at the corner store to purchase more cocaine to sell, on the way out, Mitch does not acknowledge his Uncle Ice sitting right in front of the door. Out of anger Mitch’s uncle Ice taunts Mitch by saying, “I look invisible n***ga?” Here Uncle Ice is criticizing Mitch for prioritizing street prominence and possessions over family. Mitch then replies with a slight giggle and says, “...I'm broke baby… I ain’t got no money.” quickly after Uncle Ice says, “ Please… I see ya shinin’ n**ga, I can smell a mother f****ka with money...Ray Charles can see you got money.” Here Uncle Ice is making yet another testament to Mitch’s loud and flashy hood rich lifestyle. Now, while there are many reasons why some may not view this scene as particularly “American”, this scene shows two different types prioritization of finance and social status, which are the two central ideas of the American Dream in all demographics. On the more ignorant side, Mitch’s view of the American Dream is having nice possessions and fame on his block. This is proven in another scene in the movie titled, I Love to Hustle, while Mitch is explaining to Ace why he loves the drug dealing lifestyle he says, “.... you a n***a got dough, a n***a could leave the league, but if I leave, the fans still gon’ love me man? I get love out here”. On the more low key side, Lulu give viewers another facet of the American dream. While he does have expensive possessions like Mitch, Lulu is more focused on his job, having a genuinely nice shelter, living a genuinely affluent lifestyle and disregarding neighborhood prominence. This is proven when Ace says out of curiosity, “ I don’t see you out on the streets, do you even have a car?” and Lulu replies by saying, “ What I need a car for, I got everything right here. You like money right?” Like many other South American immigrants in the ‘80’s Lulu has the mentality of a immigrant survivor which is; striving to have shelter and maintaining a job. However since Lulu is at a higher place and is making more money than most Colombian immigrants while still maintaining his immigrant mentality, Lulu is more focused on putting food on his table than the love, respect, and praise from the community. Overall, The idea of the American Dream has many different meanings for different people. In this particular scene of Charles Stone III biopic Paid in Full, viewers can see two different sides. First the dream and idea of being hood rich and famous and prioritization of fame and love in one’s neighborhood. Secondly, the idea of Genuine Wealth; disregarding the fame and materialistic side of life prioritizing the simple ability to live an affluent lifestyle. On the whole both sides embody the central ideas of the American Dream, which is money, stability and/or social status.
The major motion picture film Juice is set in New York City in the 1980’s the film follows a group of four friends by the names of Q played by Omar Epps, Bishop played by Tupac Shakur, Steel played by Jermaine Hopkins, and Raheem played by Khalil Kain, as they navigate the rough and tough streets of Harlem. This film tells the story of how innocent mischief among teenage boys always has the potential to become something much more serious. Tired of being harassed by a local Puerto Rican gang the group of friends decide to purchase a gun, at the suggestion of Bishop. Power hungry and desperate for respect Bishop decides that the group must do even more to gain their respect, or “juice” and they decide to rob a neighborhood convenient store. The
People who work hard enough become successful and build a good life for themselves and their family. Millions of Americans and others who admire America have believed this for generations. However, is this still true? Brandon King debates his interpretation of the American Dream in his published work, “The American Dream: Dead, Alive, or on Hold?” During his essay, the speaker highlights how important the American Dream is to the economy and providing a distance from inequality. The speaker emphasizes his belief that the American Dream is still alive within America and that people must work hard to achieve it. When discussing the American Dream, King will agree that the idea is alive and thriving in the minds of Americans; yet, I argue that the idea is on hold within American society due to lack of upward social independence and economic mobility.
The philosophy of the American Dream has been with Americans for centurie; James Truslow Adams says that, regardless of social class, "life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement” (Adams). Although this vision has never fully encompassed the entirety of America, it has been generally a positive ambition that all Americans should look past their circumstances and rely on only themselves to succeed at life. However, American capitalism and Marxist ideas have contradicted the traditional dream. Materialism is a simple concept, but its definition has been skewed over time. At ...
The American dream is defined as “...the ideal that every US citizen should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative” (Oxford Dictionary). The guarantee of economic and social opportunity attracts hundreds of thousands of immigrants to the United States and allows this nation to be so prosperous. As time has gone on, however, the American Dream dwindles to just a whisper of the past. Although there are still many hard working Americans, the success of each individual no longer correlates to the degree of effort that American’s put into their line of work, proving the barriers that separate many from a successful lifestyle. This epidemic is shown in Barbara Ehrenreich’s Nickel
The American Dream: Dead, Alive, or on Hold? written by Brandon King discusses what the American Dream is, how it has evolved, and how to live it to the fullest. He writes that the American Dream in the past meant to live a wealthy, materialistic life, however the American Dream today is to live in stability. The American Dream also has the potential to be viewed from multiple perspectives as everyone is different and have their own opinion as to how live the American Dream. King also addresses that inequality is the main problem according to many; the government is only making the rich minority wealthier, ignoring funds for the lowers classes. The American Dream will never die as long as planning ahead and proposing policies to sustain economic growth are tirelessly acted upon.
... American Dream that was sold in society at the time after World War II can overshadow the actual meaning in real life. The “American Dream” is, in the end, defined as a comfortable living in a happy house. Instead, the materialistic society back then attempted to sell it in terms of appliances and products that were not needed, and unaffordable. They marketed it to the middle-class by attracting them to the aspect of credit, buying it with money that they don’t have. As Willy’s neighbor claimed at his funeral, Willy was merely a victim of his profession, leaving him with an unhealthy obsession with an image that was unrealistic, especially for them. This dissatisfaction with his life, and his misinterpretation of the “American Dream”, led to his downfall as a tragic hero, and a death that went in vain, as his son failed to follow the plan he had laid out for him.
...at the American culture places economic success at the pinnacle of social desirability, without listing legitimate ways for attaining the desired goal (Merton 672-682). Today, the American Dream no longer reflects the dream Adams had, but instead, the idea that one can only call themselves truly successful if they have become rich, regardless of the way they got there. The American Dream does not guarantee happiness, but rather the pursuit of it, but with the media strongly persuading people that money guarantees happiness, people are encouraged to do whatever it takes, even it means disregarding their morals, so that they achieve ‘success.’ The inability to achieve this goal often leads people to destructive, and ultimately life-threatening criminal behavior as their feelings of anxiety and frustration over this vision of the “American Dream” get the best of them.
Through the course of change in the world- either through prosperity, capitalism or greed- people have lost focus with the real meaning of 'the American dream'. It is no longer the gamely aspirations of living life to the fullest, providing a better life for yourself and or others; instead, a pursuit for those materialistic aspects in life.
The American Dream provides Americans hope that if they work hard, they will eventually be successful, no matter how penniless the person. To understand the construction of this topic, there is a need to understand the circumstances involved. The Epic of America, The narrative in which the American Dream was constructed, was produced in the nineteen thirties. During this time, the Great Depression was at the height of destruction, and the new president Franklin D. Roosevelt created the “New Deal,” which inspired newly-found hope. In his Second Inaugural Address, he voiced his vision for the expanded role that the government would take in American's lives by stating, “The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little” (Franklin D. Roosevelt). This began the facade of hope towards the impoverished folks attempting to achieve success. In reality the optimism and dedication given towards this dream is disproportional...
The American Dream is so important to our country and especially for our generation to take seriously. The American Dream is the opportunity to reach the goals one sets for themselves. It is about having your dream job and life you have always fantasized about. The dream is also about having freedom and equality. The American Dream was much easier to attain a few decades ago compared to today. However, it is still possible. The economy was better fifty years ago than it is today. People are in greater debt now and the United States is in higher debt than it was fifty years ago. The American Dream is still possible despite the lack of improvement within social mobility in American society over the past years. The American dream is achievable by being able to live a middle-class lifestyle and that lifestyle is obtainable through hard work and perseverance, even in light of obstacles such as racism. “The American Dream is still achievable, however, the good news is that people at the bottom are just as likely to move up the income ladder today as they were 50 years ago” (O’Brien 1). The ability to attain the American Dream is hindered by race, the middle class, and giving up facing adversity.
While Gatsby receives riches and fame beyond most, but fails to become apart of the social class he truly was aiming for. He fails to get the girl he loves Daisy, and fit in with the East Egg environment she comes from because he never lived with those people and continues to be an outsider of the world. Myrtle on the other hand never achieves wealth of the first class, and continuously puts on the façade of wealthy just hoping for that reality become her truth one day. Myrtle’s constant act of dress up also addresses, especially as she shows off her dress at a party, shows the unhealthy standard of wealth the comes with American ideals and assets. This is a concept that is commonly viewed today, as designer brands have become a more commonly bought item. This can be seen as brands such as “Supreme “ have become popular, places inhabiting wealthier citizens, particularly in L.A. This brand has t-shirts for hundreds of dollars. Consumerism is constant and everywhere with the interruptive
In 1931 when the American Dream arose, Americans believed that the harder one worked, the more one would prosper (Meacham, 2012). In other words, they strongly believed that the American Dream was gaining a better, richer, happier life. Today, the American Dream is still hoping to earn a college degree, get a good job, buy a house, and start a family, but according to MetLife’s fifth annual survey, 41% of the respondents said it was about personal fulfillment, while most American’s say it is out of reach for many (White, ...
The American Dream seems almost non-existent to those who haven’t already achieved it. Every character in the novel has moments of feeling happy and endures a moment where they believe that they are about to achieve their dreams. Naturally everyone dreams of being a better person, having better things and in 1920’s America, the scheme of getting rich is quick. However, each character had their dreams crushed in the novel mainly because of social and economic situations and their dream of happiness becomes a ‘dead dream’ leading them back to their ‘shallow lives’ or no life at all.
Set in South Central Los Angeles, Boyz N The Hood (John Singleton, 1991) portrays the struggles, fears, and choices of three young friends growing up in the midst of the Crenshaw neighborhood known as ‘the hood.’ Through a seven–year time gap from 1984 to 1991, the film suggests and addresses two prominent social problems associated with Crenshaw’s environment – fatherless children and gang culture. Ultimately, Boyz N The Hood is about the utter significance and salvation of fatherhood among the lives of young, vulnerable, and violence susceptible children of Crenshaw and how the presence of a true father figure can influence their decision to either succumb to the cycle of violence, alcohol and crime or to strive for something greater than their roots.
In the film Baby Boom, Diane Keaton plays a workaholic named J.C Wiatt. She works almost 80 hours a week and has none to little social life. After receiving some news in an awkward telephone call from the U.K. She is bestowed upon her, her greatest challenge in life. She was given custody of Elizabeth Wiatt after been informed of her cousin’s passing.