The American Dream Is A Reality

“I have learned this, at least, from my experiment: that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” This is a quote from Walden by Henry David Thoreau. I believe this can be applied to the American Dream. The American Dream is something that many strive after and set their goals based on this dream. It is the dream of freedom, opportunity and equality. However, some believe that this dream is a myth. They argue that this dream does not exist and is just false hope instigated by dreamers. I believe that the American Dream is a reality that allows people to pursue and achieve whatever they can dream, but it still has flaws

due to human nature.
Throughout the history of America, our country has been flocked to by immigrants. In fact, the foundation of America was by immigrants. The Puritans were an oppressed people who sought freedom. America gave them the opportunity for a new nation rooted in freedom. In this new nation, they could worship how they chose and did not have to answer to an oppressive government. This is what makes America special; a nation founded on freedom and by immigrants.
After the founding of the United States, it became a symbol of opportunity and freedom for immigrants. Many seek the religious freedom not provided by their homeland. This is not just for Christians, but for all religions and people. In my interview with Mrs. Rogers, she mentioned a young Muslim from Iran who grew up in a traditional home and since coming to America has become very liberal with her beliefs because she is experiencing a freedom she never has had before. Also, people can escape the ravages of war in their homeland. Whether it be in the early to mid 1900’s when the perils of a war stricken Europe forced many immigrants to America, or today when Syrians are displaced from their homes due to ISIS, America has been a beacon of hope for the destitute and war afflicted.
Immigrants have also set sail for America for new opportunities for their lives. America has been blessed with an abundance of natural resources. Therefore when new discoveries were made, people sought out a better life by taking advantage of the opportunity America provided. America allowed them to pursue their dreams. New jobs beckoned immigrants from poverty stricken nations to come to America and help themselves and the nation. Immigrants must believe in the American Dream of opportunity otherwise they would not undergo the strenuous process that is required to become a citizen. America enables immigrants, regardless of race, gender, or religion, to pursue their passions and attain success as a human being.
The American Dream is not only for immigrants, but also, for those blessed to be born in America. Regardless of the circumstances one is born in, they have the ability to rise as much as they choose. No one is stuck in one class forever. Americans can embody the phoenix and rise from the ashes of the scorched culture they are placed in. There are countless stories of impoverished people from the ghettos working hard to become a contributing member of society. They can become a doctor, an athlete, a businessman and so much more. As Americans, we hear these stories and swell with American pride. We want our fellow American to succeed and become these amazing stories. Americans are not restricted to what they can achieve and can pursue the American Dream to the fullest.
While the American Dream sounds unflawed, it has had some serious downfalls throughout history, which could call into question its authenticity.

Starting with the first immigrants to the Americas, people have treated each other with contempt in order to achieve what we now call the American Dream. Native American populations were slaughtered for land as well as things as trivial as their skin color. Many would argue that the Native Americans never got the opportunity to pursue what they deemed to be their dream and were forced to pursue a Europeanized dream that would have never been their own. The government issued horrors of things such as the trail of tears, display to the fullest extent the fact that not all Americans in history were free to

achieve.
Since the times of the triangle trade system, the African American population in America has grown significantly.

However, most if not all of those who originally came to the United States were shipped here forcefully, not by their own will. Not only could they not achieve the American Dream, but their enslavement was a byproduct of the American Dream. Part of the American Dream is the freedom to seek prosperity to the maximum. In order to make money in those days, they had to produce crops and they saw that they did not have enough hands to do the work. This desire for more wealth and the overwhelming greed caused Americans to see a need for slaves. In order for the Americans to accomplish their goals, the lives and dreams of the slaves had to be revoked. The American Dream had potential to be an amazing thing for all, but it is evident in history that not everyone has gotten to have this dream just because they lived in the United States. The American Dream was twisted and distorted by greed and human

nature.
In our current society, the idea of the American Dream has again been twisted. No longer do some people feel the need to work hard for what they want, but they feel entitled to what they believe is their right. In reality, Americans are only entitled to certain unalienable rights which included things like life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Prosperity is guaranteed to no one and all are expected to labor in order to succeed. There are too many people who expect their version of the American Dream to fall into their laps in order for them to live a carefree life.
Paula Dean said, “I am living proof that the American dream still exists. It is still alive and well. There is only one trick, you have to be willing to roll up your sleeves and work very, very hard.” This quote perfectly describe how the American Dream is still alive and well as long as people choose to work for it. The American dream is to pursue passion as well as dreams. There are no restrictions saying that people cannot rise or fall as they choose. Although the American dream has been linked to moral failures, it is still a real American concept and an ideal that should not be taken for granted. Human weakness cannot dampen the value and success that the American dream has accomplished. The American dream is part of what makes America unique and so desirable to foreigners. Immigrants flock to the Statue of Liberty seeking her beacon of hope. America has been shaped by the American dream and therefore, it is no myth, but a legend that will live on even if America fails one day.