I believe for one dream`s to come true, there should be obstacles and struggles throughout the journey for it to come true. These obstacles and struggles are the stepping stones to reaching the top. We may be disappointed and unmotivated when we fail at times, but why not learn from those lessons and use it as a motive to keeping moving forward? For example, many peoples American Dream is to own a home. Paying for housing bills and other necessities is not easy. Some people may have to work full time for years to save up but still end up short when they have found their perfect home. When they realize they can work extra hours or even get another job, they take the chance because they want to get closer to their goal. Another example is my parents journey to America. Getting a green card to another country, yet alone, the United States, can take several years and up to a few decades. My parents applied several times and got denied every time. After building up his career, my father was finally able to get one because of his hard work and dedication as an engineer.
Another idea that stood out to me in this section of the introduction was how people see the president as a symbol or example for the American Dream. As the President of the United states is a very important person and leader for our country, people should not depend on the president for their American Dream to come true. Former Vice President Joe Biden once said, " the role of a president is mobilizing our society to convince all of our citizens that they can and must shape their own future and the nation`s future (pg.12)." I agree that the president has partial influence in convincing citizens, especially with how the economy is, but it also depends on how motivated the citizens are. For example, even if the economy is down and lose your job, you can still go out and try to find a temporary solution in the time of crisis such as applying for other jobs and cutting out unnecessary expenses to pay for college and to earn the degree you already have been working on. If someone is that passionate in reaching for their dream, they would just go for it, surpass obstacles, and not wait for someone to tell them "go". Also, if there was someone to symbolize the American Dream it should be the successful common men of our country because it shows that if an ordinary person can do it, anyone is capable of doing it.
Even though the American Dream is difficult to achieve, it is worth it in the end. No pain, no gain.
I completely agree with what you said about there having to be difficult tasks to overcome before being able to reach your dream, especially because the American Dream is on a grand scale. If we do not face any obstacles head on while on our journey to our American Dream, was it worth dreaming about? Or was it more of a smaller desire. Part of the American Dream is not having what you wish for most, dream about something that will not be easy to achieve. Dream about something that you have to fight for. In this case, you cannot be afraid to dream big.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree that the american dream must have obstacles and challenges for it to be any meaningful or beneficiary.Also facing challenges builds character, the type of character that makes an individual be proud to be an american with hard working values, A patriot. On the other hand I must disagree with your statement in regards to the president.Although Obama may be an exception considering he rose from poverty and racism to reach the presidency, other presidents (in my opinion)are NOT examples of the "common man" who pursues the american dream. However, the president is still required to inspire his citizens to pursue their interpretation of the American dream.
ReplyDeleteJust to clarify, when I said that people should look up to successful common men, I was not referring to the presidents but other individuals such as Rosa Parks, Steve Jobs, people who made a positive change in this world for the better.
DeleteYou go girl! The American Dream is just like any dream- not reality unless you make it so. We all know that Americans are known to be lazy and take the easy way, but I believe the origins of the American Dream lie within the minds of the truly hardworking middle class citizens who do all that they can to reach their goals. This is a mindset that could help so many people with so many aspects of their lives, but it also works especially well in our country's scenario. Especially with the social injustices that cants seem to stop, many have just given up and let racism, sexism, etc. thrive simply because they do not think that the world can change. But we know that it always can!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you when you say that the American Dream has to consist of some kind of struggle. Not everything is given to you in this country and if it is then i believe you haven't really achieved the proper American Dream. You have to earn whats given to you, at least that was the way I was raised. Also the idea of the President being a symbol for the American Dream is something I do not totally agree with. I believe it wasnt until Obama being elected that people saw he was the American Dream. It is kind of hard to see the other presidents as being the American Dream, in my opinion, because they were all white men and did not have the same history as my ancestors did. Therefore, did not have the same dream as they did. I also dont agree that the president has any significant pull in creating American Dreams since everything he must do has to go through Congress.
ReplyDeleteI echo the things other people have said in response to your blog. The American Dream is as much the process as it is the outcome, and process suggests some kind of struggle, as Verna pointed out.
ReplyDeleteGood point. You raise important questions.