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American cultural configuration
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Ronald Regan describes America as, “…a place in the divine scheme that was set aside as a promised land” (“Loosing the American Dream”). Do Regan’s words have any truth to them? How can America be a promised land when immigrants are still fighting for the chance to pursue the American Dream and social acceptance? Immigrants have different motives for coming to America some may seek citizenship for political freedoms that they once did not have due to uprising civil wars in their native country. Others may come for social freedoms that they were not awarded in their home country due to sexual orientation. Others may come for economic freedoms that allows them to go from rags to riches. No matter the reason, immigrants risk everything for a chance to pursue the American dream. So why is it so hard for immigrants to earn a spot as a citizen of the United States of America? Why are immigrants still facing narrow-mindedness criticism for being foreign? It is time for Americans to change their prejudice views of immigrants. “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” aired a segment on the controversy behind the Coca-Cola half time commercial during the Super Bowl. The commercial featured “America the Beautiful” sung in different languages by people from different nationalities. Americans on their social media websites, such as Twitter, went into an uproar. Many Americans tweeted things similar to, “What an f***ing terrible commercial. The majority of it was not even in English and was sung by a bunch of foreigners. Just more multicultural, politically correct, liberal s**t” (CBS Atlanta). On the “Daily Show with Jon Stewart”, Stewart highlights the controversy of this commercial on Twitter. Stewart jokes about how ironic the backlash this comm... ... middle of paper ... ... 10 2004. Radio. "Illegal Immigration and Amnesty Polls." Federation for American Immigration Reform. FAIR. Web. 11 Mar 2014. . Tran, Lynda. "Losing the 'American Dream'." USNEWS.com. N.P., 13 May 2013. Web. 12 Mar 2014. . Jones, Jeffrey M. “Americans More Positive About Immigration.” Gallup Poll Briefing (2012): 1. Business Source Complete. Web. 27 Feb. 2014. Mullins, Jenna. "Coca-Cola." Eonline.com. N.P., 2 Feb 2014. Web. 12 Mar 2014. . Jolie Lee, N.P. Web. 25 Mar 2014. .
A little girl dreams of a white wedding with white doves flying over the ceremony and the fairy-tale honeymoon. Only then to come home to the yellow house in the country, with the white picket fence included. Everyone has daydreamed about their future and having the “perfect” house, with the “perfect” car and the “perfect” marriage- everyone wants to live the “American Dream”. There are many people that believe that the “American Dream” is a concept that they are entitled to and expected to live. Then, there are those who believe that you should use the opportunities that America offers as a stepping stone to earn and create your own “American dream”. However, as time goes on the mainstream idea of “living the American Dream” has changed. This change is mostly due to the ever-changing economy, professions, and expectations of the American people. Throughout the book Working, by Studs Terkel, we meet many diverse groups of people to discover the people behind the jobs that allows American society to operate and how their choice of a career path has changed their lives.
The article Keeping The Dream Alive by John Meacham is addressed to people who feel the American dream has died. The author compares historical events and today’s issues to encourage the reader that a simple call to action can revive the dream. Towards the end of the passage he quotes John Adams’ proclamation, “’If the American dream is to come true and to abide with us… it will, at the bottom, depend on the people themselves.” Assuming the reader is waiting on the government to provide a solution, Meacham presents ideas that encourage the readers to make the change themselves. The arrangement of historical feats and beliefs persuade the readers that the future of the American dream is in their hands.
“The American Dream: Out of Reach?” America Press 10/3/2011: Pages. Vol. 205 Issue 9, p6-6. 8/9
Time and time again, the society has put in force political and social ideals of America greatly affecting the American Dream for many. Every American resident has his or her own definition of “achieving the American Dream”. However, all American Dreams are common, in part, that all believers are drawn to the desire to go above their current social class and improve their way of life. Although many people try to achieve their own American Dream, the society possess ideals that negatively affect the American Dream for both Americans and immigrants.
‘“It used to be that if you stayed with your job, you would be rewarded… now there is no guarantee.” (62). Randy and Cherie are a couple who had worked for airlines for 26 years and for them to get pensions lower than they deserve shows how many blame business or the government in this situation. ‘“These words ‘retirement’ and ‘vacation’ are not in our vocabulary.”’ (62) Simone and Miguel both share a garage door system business and believe economy has a huge play in their earning. They both agree that, ‘“The American Dream is a bygone thing.”’ (62) and believe that it’s not easily achievable. The American Dream is to have freedom, liberty, opportunities, and be successful. Both couples have freedoms, liberty, and opportunities which means their living part of the American Dream. The other part is their interpretation of the American
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 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
We were raised considering the jobs we could do in the future and the universities we may attend; we heard that hard work and dedication was the only essential to fly in this world. Everyone was aware of the standard of living that was expected and few hesitated to buy into the legendary dream. The American Dream itself is what we all grew up desiring. Suburban homes, multiple cars, hefty paychecks and fantasy vacations are its elements. The American Dream is exclusive and unsatisfying at its core.
Eleanor Roosevelt said, “the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” That statement holds strong for immigrants in America. Equal access to opportunities allows immigrants to achieve the American dream. Their success correlates with America’s success because of the contributions immigrants provide to America. Unfortunately, the current immigration policy in America denies many immigrants the American dream.
O'Brien, Matthew. "Why is the American Dream Dead in the South?" The Atlantic (Jan. 26, 2014). . Web
The "American dream" is different for every person. To some it means financial success, to others it means freedom of expression, while others dream to practice their religion without fear. The "American dream" is a complex concept providing immigrants with the hope of better life. The U.S. government provides the environment and resources for everyone to pursue their dreams. Each year millions of people around the world apply for the Diversity Visa lottery program provided by the U.S. government, however only a few thousand people are lucky enough to come here. America is the place where people are judged by their achievements instead of having references or connections. Even though the American economy is in recession and the achieving of the American Dream is harder, many immigrants still achieve religious, political, financial, and sports dreams here in the U.S.
"Immigrants and the American Dream." Society 33.n1 (Nov-Dec 1995):3(3). Expanded Academic ASAP. Thomson Gale University. 26 Sep. 2006.
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, ...
supposed to create/invest in businesses if the government officials do not even trust the money
Evensvold, Marty D. "The American Dream: Stories from the Heart of Our Nation." Library Journal Dec. 2001: 200. General OneFile. Web. 20 Apr. 2014.