Arguments, Arguments Everywhere (Are they really?)

Imagine participating in a four corners debate on a controversial issue and the teacher asks 'Should the minimum wage be increased?". The four options are, strongly agree, agree, disagree, and strongly disagree. As students roam the room, they realize that there are more people on one corner than the others. Do you go with the side with the most people or do you go with your belief? 

In Rebecca Jones`s article in, "Finding the Good Argument OR Why Bother with Logic," she compares argument to war to emphasize how many people see arguments as a win-lose situation. She extends her claim by bringing up mainstream media and how they create a poor example of argumentation. Jones states that mainstream media`s "version of argument seems more like a circus than a public discussion".  What I think Jones is trying to say is that like a circus, the media can become overwhelming and crazy with their diverse opinions or "performances". They build up their position with mainly opinions and the "sprinkles and cherry of a sundae" or extra, unnecessary information because they are too busy with trying to "win".

An example of a "win-lose" argument would be a presidential debate and in this case, it is a literal win-lose situation. The purpose of arguing in debates is to attract people to vote for one side. In the 2016 presidential election, many presidential candidates were known to use "ad hominem arguments", which means that most of what they are saying has nothing to do with the truth of the other candidate and instead they are personally attacking one another. Rather than talking about their position on global warming, they try to backlash one another and get into this never-ending loop of talking over one another until the commentator settles the heat down. As Jones stated, because we have this war-like state of mind in an argument, the argument lacks "research, multiple vantage points and basic logic." As my previous English teacher would say, there is too much "fluff" in the argument that it backtracks others to see the main points. They seem to be so desperate for votes that they are willing to personally attack the other person by bringing up their past and their actions. With this mindset, nothing gets done and voters can only choose a candidate based on what is given to the public, and by not arguing properly, it is not much. Politicians and any candidate should act professional and play a fair game. 

Going back to the minimum wage debate, if I were in the situation of going on the side with most people or following my belief, it would be following my belief because I could never win in an argument if I side with something I never believed in the first place. However for some people, winning means going on side with the most people because there will be others to help build up a strong argument. Either or, this "winning" mentality in an argument is a problem because it does not necessarily create a good argument rather it is only fulfilling our needs and desires to be at the top. 

In order to fix the way we perceive arguments, the mainstream media must set a good example first. As Jones stated, the Average American perceives argument as war because of how the media presents itself as it is. There is no need to spend most of the time in an argument trying to push our own opinions in others faces. An argument`s goal is to be able for us to see the issue in a different perspective, to possibly change our minds, and come together to "answer" the argument`s central issue. As I think about a solution for people to stop perceiving arguments as war, I think about a weight balance. Each side needs to balance one another so they can find a "common ground" for the better.  Be clear with your main statements, counter-argue with facts not only opinion, be open to seeing the other side of the argument. There is no dominating side or a "winner/loser" if you argue properly.

No Pain, No Gain

When one thinks about the American Dream, they only think about the grandiose outcome. However, to be able to reach it, it takes time, patience and determination. In Hanson and White's, "The Making and Persistence of the American Dream", they state that the "American Dream" will always be "elusive and, therefore disappointing" (pg.12). After analyzing a 2008 survey, they discovered that many people believe that the American Dream is never ending and not easily achieved which proves their statement. They also come up with the analogy that if the president can achieve and accomplish his goals, the American Dream will thrive. Though these ideas and thought are possible, I believe they are very subjective.


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.

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.