There are many aspects in the American Dream that we want to achieve. Many people have their own individual goals, like buying their own home, and then separate goals for the hope of a better future and to solve the bigger problems in the world such as poverty. In USC professor Walter Fisher`s scholar paper "Reaffirmation and Subversion of the American Dream", he discusses how ordinary people were influenced to choose their next president during the 1972 election not based on the actions of the candidates, but their take on the American Dream.Fisher claims that there are two sides of the American Dream, the materialistic and the moralistic. He quotes one of his colleagues who states that Lincoln was able to achieve the whole dream, "the rags to riches materialistic myth of individual success and the egalitarian moralistic myth of brotherhood." (pg. 114). In the 1972 election, Nixon resembled the materialistic side and McGovern represented the moralistic. In this time period, people wanted to prioritize their own ambitions and self-success rather than having that "arousal of guilt" (pg. 115). Fisher wants to show that the American Dream is complex. It is hard to fully achieve because there are so many things we want to get done. Sometimes we tend to go to one side based on our morals and self instinct. Do we want to thrive and achieve our own dreams or help others? It is really hard to decide but that is why the American Dream is always present. It`s meaning and purpose can always change throughout time. In 2017, I believe that this idea of the two-sided American Dream is still present but most of the time we are sided more on the materialistic side, especially the president and government. Fisher states that the materialistic side is "compassionless and self centered and encourages manipulation and leads to exploitation" (pg. 114). I can only think of how Trump and his administration have done numerous things to show how materialistic they are. From trying to abolish the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) to denying climate change and the importance to taking action to prevent it, they don't seem to care for others. It isn't only evident in the government but in our everyday lives. We get so caught up with having the latest iPhone and car that some of them have been considered "necessary" in our lives.
Fisher also claims that America is driven by the American Dream and it would be nothing without it. He states that "America needs heroes and rituals, presidents and elections, to signify her whole meaning- moralistic and materialistic; she requires symbols that her citizens can identify with..." (pg. 120). Fisher is trying to say that Nixon and McGovern`s way of attracting voters though the idea of the American dream is a way to keep the public interested and appealed to them. There is always that sense of hope that lightens up everyone. In today`s society, firefighters and police officers are symbols to the American people because of their hard work and dedication to helping and saving others. In times of crisis, such as the Las Vegas shooting and Northern California fires, they go out of their way to do their job effectively and efficiently. The symbols don't necessarily have to be a president or leader in a movement but can also be an ordinary individual who helps make the world a better place.
It is evident that there are two sides to the American Dream, the materialistic and moralistic but it is important to take both in consideration.
Trump has certainly been an interesting president, to say the least. He's made many, many decisions which I do not agree with (pretty much all of them). However, the materialistic dream itself is not inherently evil. While many Americans want to band together to create something new with our society, many other Americans just want to be left alone. Their idea of the American dream is living independently from others influence with their family and community. Those people would be more inclined to follow the Materialistic Dream, a dream just as American as the moralistic one. However I believe a balance is necessary, which seems surprisingly hard to come by these days. I'd say our federal government is anything but balanced right now.
ReplyDeleteI very much agree with what you are saying about how people have two types of goals: the first type is more individual and the second is more about the world as a whole. Personally, I am more on the individual side because I have always dreamed of having an expensive home and car and living lavishly in general. I love expensive things! Who doesn't haha. But I see my American dream as achieving these things because it will bring me happiness. I aspire to get a career in something I genuinely love that will also bring me lots of money, which I love too. My dream is also about being healthy with a loving family and living a good life. Making a difference and an impact on other people are a part of it as well, and this would be my moralistic side showing.
ReplyDeleteI also love expensive things. I can't actually afford an expensive house or car, but I do wonder if I could buy those things if I could afford them. I don't know. Would I spend the money (I don't have) on myself, or would I help other people? If someone required that I help other people, would I be resentful? I don't know.
DeleteI do know that I could make quite a bit more money working for a corporate world, but teaching and working with students gives me joy I wouldn't have in the corporate world.