Who Has Access to the American Dream - 1152 Words

Research Essay: Who has access to the American Dream The American Dream originated in the early days of the American settlement, with mostly poor immigrants searching for opportunities. It was first manifested in the Declaration of Independence, which describes an attitude of hope. The Declaration of Independence states: â€Å"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.† Today the â€Å"Dream† is more of a struggle for success. For some it’s a fantasy while for others, it is a long term goal. The media defines society today, thus it’s only natural that it defines the American Dream, one which is no longer focused on freedoms or liberty, but rather money and success. The American Dream not only calls for financial success but also emotional success. Traditionally, the term â€Å"American Dream† applied primarily to immigrants who came seeking a level of opportunity they wouldnt have had in their countries of origin. The promise of America was that, even if one came from very little means, if one worked hard and applied themselves, they could secure a standard of living for themselves and their family that they would never have been able to had they stayed where they were. That promise imbued those immigrants with the dream of raising their status in America. The ability to become rich (by US standards) is certainly partShow MoreRelatedThe American Dream897 Words   |  4 Pagesopportunity, freedom, and the chance to experience the particular qualities of the American landscape. The American Dream is the idea that every United States citizen, including immigrants and residents, should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative. America somewhat provides acc ess to the American dream, it is more so the citizen who provides access to the dream for themselves. Even though they encountered many trials and tribulationsRead MoreThe Idea of the â€Å"American Dream†1101 Words   |  5 PagesThe American Dream Final Exam By: Uday Govindswamy Period 2 The idea of the â€Å"American Dream† was first used in the book The Epic of America, written by James Truslow Adams, in 1931. Adams stated that the American Dream is, â€Å"the dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement†¦(31) â€Å". The key elements of the American Dream include: access to a college education, owning a home, enjoying politicalRead MoreAfrican American Dream1039 Words   |  5 PagesThe American dream is an elusive idea for many Americans; it allows access but does not provide equal opportunity to achieve it for every American citizen and varies wildly throughout different social classes in America. Inequality plagues society throughout these social classes, providing or denying certain opportunities throughout them. Social classes all throughout America are denied or provided with different opportunities than one another, making certain social classes, such as immigrants Read MoreWomen And The American Dream1253 Words   |  6 PagesThe American Dream is the belief that every person in the United States has an equal opportunity to become successful. However, some people are not entitled to the American Dream. Many Americans are not treated equally under the law. Some of the groups lose their right to vote, have a more difficult time finding jobs, or are a group that has been forgotten by politicians. The American Dream is a controversial issue today because many groups in America have claimed that they have not received theRead MoreEssay On Society In The Great Gatsby835 Words   |  4 Pagesthe way the average American lived their lives, both socially and politically. Immigration, industrialism, and economy boomed, creating abundant wealth among Americans through the creation of new job oppor tunities. Eventually, a more defined social class structure was established, bringing fluctuations in the distribution of wealth among different ranks in society. This period of time, known as the â€Å"Roaring Twenties†, is exhibited in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, who uses the charactersRead MoreThe American Dream In Lorraine Hansberrys A Raisin In The Sun1021 Words   |  5 Pagesbelieved in the American Dream, that has drawn hopeful masses of people to this country in search of a better life. Although some believe that the American promise is still achievable, America no longer provides access to this dream. It has evolved to be a pursuit of money not liberation, and the discrimination of groups of people has masked the fundamental ideals that the dream is based upon. The American Dream is rooted in equality and success, and has become about riches. Everyone has heard the popularRead MoreThe American Dream1017 Words   |  5 PagesI believe the American Drea m is living in a house , having a stable job , enough money to do whatever you would like and lastly to live happy. The American Dream is also to go to school and have freedom of speech. America does not provide access to the American Dream for everyone because everyone does not have the same opportunities as others to go to school and have a good job, in America people discriminate others of different race and for being a woman. Through Yezierska and Noda , we come toRead MoreThe Importance Of The American Dream1321 Words   |  6 PagesFormer First Lady, Michelle Obama, eloquently summarized the American Dream at the Democratic National Convention in 2012. â€Å"Barack knows the American Dream because hes lived it...and he wants everyone in this country to have that same opportunity, no matter who we are, or where were from, or what we look like, or who we love. And he believes that when youve worked hard, and done well, and walked through that doorway of opportunity...you do no t slam it shut behind you...you reach back, and youRead MoreGateway Of The United States937 Words   |  4 Pagesmillion undocumented immigrants who brought children who were under 16 to the country with them. Unfortunately, the children who come to America illegally at such a young age do not know about their status in the country. They embrace America as their own country and they are familiar with the US. more than the countries that they were born in. Moreover young undocumented immigrants who grow up in America more likely to eager to push themselves to be nearly as American. Education is what makes themRead MoreThe Path For Underserved Students Transitioning From Community College980 Words   |  4 Pagesand without regard to [socio]economic status, race, creed, color, sex, national origin or ancestry, [which] is [the] major goal of American democracy† (United States Zook, 1947, p.  3). Thus, the purpose of this essay is to analyze the path for underserved students transitioning from community college to a 4-year university, while reconceptualizing the American Dream. Through a critical race theoretical lends, this essay will outline the historical trend and statistical facts on student transfer