In the beginning of the composing of the United States, America made many mistakes. As with any young country may have in its infancy, she masked her indiscretions behind virtues. The inconsistency, however, is found within her inhabitants. The African American citizens have faced an insurmountable paradox. Senator Barack Obama's A More Perfect Union begins with a quote from the most important document which has been a lynchpin of controversy since its origin. The rightful ownership of an entire race of people was rooted in this document. In the eyes of some citizens, the Constitution is an oxymoron. The reality in the American Dream contradicts its-self with the history of slavery, and the injustices with economics and inequality. One's race, social status, and even gender all determine the ability a person has to achieve this American Dream.
One of the contradictions of the American Dream is the reality of slavery in the United States. African American citizens have endured the unequal terms set by the Constitution. For example, "the slavery question was already embedded within our Constitution-the ideal of equal citizenship under the law that promised its people liberty" (Obama 1). Slaves were the least likely to achieve the American Dream, they had their basic human rights stripped from them because as slaves, they were merely the property of the wealthy, white male plantation owners. Discrimination against a person based on their race is one of the main causes in preventing one from having a fair opportunity to achieve the American Dream. The American Dream contradicts its-self when it pretends to be fair to the Black socio-economic phenomenon. Economically, the American Dream is not a reality, not true for the Black cultures. For example, "A lack of economic opportunity among black men meant that black families could not amass any meaningful wealth to bequeath to future generations" (Obama 3).
And frankly, I get more and more disappointed every day: does that worldwide famous "American dream- actually exist? ... I'm not attempting to establish a new theory that destroys the "American dream-. ... And in my opinion it is actually a strike to the "American dream- myth. ... The "American dream- started to build its myth. ... Soviets used the myth of "equal citizens-, US used the "free citizens- one. ...
According to the American Dream, the United States is a country where immigrants from around the world can come and live a comfortable lifestyle through education and hard work, and possibly improve their social status. ... " Both the "Myth of the Model Family" and the "Myth of Education and Empowerment" have negative impacts on the lives of Americans, as, according to many articles, neither provide a possible means of attaining the American Dream, resulting in a population unsatisfied with both its family life and general success in life. ... It contradicts the Ameri...
The Myth of the American Dream 311 first What exactly is the Myth of the American Dream is it that everyone is created equal, is it that everyone is rich, or is it none of the above. I believe that in all fairness the American Dream is what you make of it and what you want it to be the dream is not a must it is a Life style. That no one can take from you it is not what you make of the American dream it is what you do to get to the top of the chain an are able to say what it means to be in the American dream. ... Tend to work harder and begin castin...
Immigration in America What is an American? ... On an online article by Christopher Schefler called Racist Myths about Mexican Immigrants, I read about the myths that I thought were true about Mexicans. One myth was, Mexican "immigrants" are "parasites" who want a free-ride from the U.S. ... This myth really bothers me because immigrants are what help America be America. ... We have many cultures, many ideas, and traditions, but all of us have the same dream, that Dream is the American Dream, the same dream that keeps Americans in America and immigrants to come here. ...
People have journeyed to America for thousands of years to obtain these freedoms and live the American dream. ... Many beliefs have fused together to create the American myth. John Winthrop, John Smith, and Benjamin Franklin all demonstrate the American Myth's composition in their writings. ... King and making his dream a reality. ... In conclusion, the American myth of wealth, success, and fame is attainable but only through hard work and dedication. ...
The American dream is a myth that many people idealize, which at the course of time became reality. ... Diana Stiuliuc used a quote from James Truslow Adams' book, "The Epic of America," where he defines the American dream as: "that dream of a land in which life should be better and fuller and richer for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement. ... In the quote stated previously, Adams defines the American dream as something anyone can achieve. ... But not because everyone can live the American dream, means everyone will. ... But I also think that the Ameri...
The American Dream is based on independence the "Declaration of Independence-. ... Death of a Salesman is a moving destruction of the whole myth. To be hard working, honest and have ambition were the ways of the American Dream. ... Ironically they both were trapped in the American Dream. ... By committing suicide Willy help his family obtain the American Dream. ...
The words of an American scholar, Joseph Campbell, meant the same, "Myths are public dreams- Because everyone knows that this dream was not meant to become the truth. ... But somewhere down the road, one generation decided not to work towards the dream of the "ideal family" myth and there entered the devil of individualism and the evil of neglecting families for own personnel needs and selfish interests. ... The ideal American family myth requires commitment from every member to his or her past, present and even to his or her future among the family. ... The Americans simply turned towards ind...
The American Dream Willy entirely believes in what he considers the promise of the American Dream "that a "well liked- and "personally attractive- man in business will unquestionably and be worthy of acquiring the material comforts offered by modern American life. ... In death of a salesman, The Loman family struggles to obtain "the American Dream-. ... Through Willie's point of view, the American Dream is just a myth. ... The message being that there is always the better way to achieve the American Dream. ... In the following paragraphs I will provide a complete outline of the Amer...
