My American Dream

When I think of the "American Dream", words such as, "freedom", "opportunity", "happiness" pop in my head, but isn't that what everyone thinks about the phrase? In the "American Dream", by Ian Brown, I have learned that the American Dream is customized to every individuals experiences and aspirations. Everyone has a certain goal they want to achieve either it being able to buy a home or hoping for peace for everyone. For me, it started off with being able to learn English.

Coming from a family of immigrants, I had no idea what the "American Dream" was at first. I was a young girl constantly traveling from country to country who was still trying to sink everything in. I came to American not knowing how to speak English and being isolated from my peers in class. I knew I was different and my classmates only made it worse by pointing it out all the time. However, as time progressed, I was able to adjust to all the change.

As I became older and more knowledgable, I had come to realize that I have been living the "American Dream" and my parents have been trying to pursue it not only for themselves but for me. I came from a impoverished and corrupt country to a better place to live, America. I have had countless opportunities from getting an education to my parents being able to financially uphold my family. As I am thankful for all the good that is happen, I have always remembered the struggles and bad things that occurred such as the discrimination I faced and fear of being rejected all the time because of my differences.

In my American Dream today, there is not only one thing I hope that gets accomplished but several:

1. For everyone to accept one another for who they are; to not judge others by how the look, where they`re from and everything else that stands out as "different"

I can never forget the times where I have been called certain names or labeled as "this" and "that" because of my roots and I am sure there are many people who have faced the same things, which is why I hope there can be change in the way others see people. Also, America is also known to be a "melting pot", a country made up of different cultures and people, so rather than backlashing others, why not flaunt and accept? Individuals such as Lisa M. Weah and Ameena Mathews hope that everyone can eventually become equal and "to care for one another...changing hatred to understanding". Not only is this an American dream but it is also a right for "men to be all equal" stated in the Declaration of Independence. 

2. For Everyone to have a support system they can always rely on whether it is family or friends. 

Growing up, I would have never gone through all the obstacles I have faced without a support system. Without my teachers helping me read my first English book to welcoming friends, I would have not been the person I am today. Today, in our society, so many people feel left out and alone causing them to become depressed and even leading them to do bad things. With a support system, they can get back up on their feet and live their life to the fullest. A great example of this is Billy Plaff`s story. Since his friend had passed away from overdose, he was struggling and having a difficult time that he almost killed himself. Today, he is alive and helps others overcome their addictions.

3. For everyone to be happy and content with themselves

In the social media and materialistic society we live in, all we think about is having the latest iPhone or getting the most likes on an Instagram post. This has created somewhat a set of standards that people feel like they need to follow to "fit in". From personal experience, at times I was embarrassed of how I presented myself out there, but I have learned that it does not matter what others think, rather how you think about yourself. There are no standards in ones life because you can create them on your own, to do what you love, to be you.