Jennifer Horner

The American Dream Old and New!

Introduction

The American Dream is based on the Declaration of Independence, “we believe that all men are born with these inalienable rights- life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” (Thomas Jefferson, 1776).  The term American Dream was first used by James Truslow Adams in his book Epic of America which was written in 1931.  In this book he states The American Dream is that 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 (The Library of Congress: American Memory Fellows Program).  The Declaration of Independence States “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…” if you notice it does not say “some men” it clearly states “all men”, it does not say “all white men” again it says “all men” this means that it includes African Americans, Indians, and many other types of men (King, Jr.).  This dream consists of a belief that in America all this is possible to all men, regardless of birth or wealth (Nadi).

Take for example the television show American Dreams that comes on NBC, this show is a prime example of the American Dream that we once lived.  This show is primarily told from a white’s perspective. Most of the scenes that have black Americans are showing us the drama that they caused during this time.  It also shows the hardships that the black Americans had while trying to get a job or while trying to vote or even to stop segregation. 

Everything in our world is bound to change over time, including dreams and thoughts.  When our country was first conceived, our American Dream was to be successful in life and to grow in business, basically rags to riches.  Our dream now might also be along those lines of wanting to be successful.  However it has changed drastically.

People of all cultures live in America and come to America dreaming of social, educational, economical opportunities as well as political and religious freedoms.  The American dream is a vision of individual and family happiness and security based on the phrase everything is not enough.  When Americans hear the words American Dream they think that they have to have money to get everything.  Some say, that the American Dream has become the pursuit of material prosperity which people work more hours to get bigger cars, fancier homes the fruits of prosperity for their families, but in turn have less time to enjoy their prosperity.  Others say that the American Dream is beyond the grasp of the working poor who must work two jobs to insure their family’s survival.

            When the immigrants came to America in the 1920’s, their American Dream was to come to America and find a job.  They wanted to be equal and not discriminated against.  For most immigrants, their American Dream was to escape the old laws of their old country and be treated equal.  Now, almost approaching the second millennium, we still dream of getting a good job and being successful in life.  The American Dream has changed over time, but it has changed because the people have changed, not the dream (Murtha).  People are still discriminated against when trying to get a job in America. 

In the 18^th and 19^th century immigrants who mostly came to America because of a promise of a new and better life is where the dream may have originated.  The ability to own land was the opportunity of a lifetime; however, the land was soon to run out.  This may be where the American dream became less of a reality and more of a dream like the name states (Nadi).  Yet others look toward a new American Dream with less focus on financial gain and more emphasis on living a simple, fulfilling life (The Library of Congress).

The American dream is a vision of individual and family happiness and security based on the phrase everything is not enough.  When Americans hear the word American Dream they think that they have to the money to get everything.  Of course anyone who is smart enough will tell you that that is not the case. 

Dr.  King’s dream of a land where one is judged not by the color of one’s skin but by the makeup of one’s character remains a mere dream.  Thirty years after the dreamer’s dream was spoken, the color of one’s skin still determines the level of opportunities that one will have in this society.  At first glance we might believe that equal opportunity has been achieved.  Today, one can at least “make the argument” that black Americans have been allowed to achieve what white Americans have always enjoyed, the right to vote, the right to free speech, the right to an education, and theoretically at least, equality in all aspects of American life.  Most black Americans will tell you that the above mentioned statements have changed for the better, but simply put, we have not reached equality in race relations in America.  Black Americans are still woefully underpaid compared to their white coworkers.  Black Americans are still victimized by some police officers and some white corporate executives.  Most black Americans will tell you that they still confront racism in their daily lives (Dufresne).  However the issues of racism and discrimination are as much in the news today as they were forty years ago.  There will always be discrimination and prejudices in the world; however, if we can all stand together and promote racial and social tolerance, we are moving a step closer to the good mans dream.  When we wake up to the fact that the welfare of the other is our own, then racism and other prejudice will seem pointless and silly. 

Can the sins of the past ever be forgotten? No wonder there is so much racism, when you can not let people be people. 

The American Dream is no longer just about money; however it is about better pay, a nice house and a rising standard of living will always be attractive even though another factor is emerging.  The new American Dream is to maintain a reasonable living standard while doing work that we enjoy doing.  In fact many people are willing to trade income for a job that they enjoy (Florida).  The new dream should put an end to the Old Dream’s destructiveness, provide deep satisfaction, and interest other countries who’ve been attracted to the Old Dream and support a just, peaceful global society (Atleei).  The nature of our economy is changing; the nature of what people want from our economy is changing.  Without great waves of new products technologies and industries, our economy would barely have grown since the dark days (Florida). 

            What is a dream? A dream is hope’s image.  You hope what you don’t have until you receive it.  Then your hope is fulfilled.  A dream is conceived in ones mind.  We start imagining.  In your mind everything is just right, all what you want, when you want it, and with whom you want it.  When the dream is over you are suppose to be “satisfied” (Trigos-Gilbert).  Many people tell me that my priorities have changed.  Yet inside I know that a good education, a decent job, and a nice house are still important, including someone to share those things with.  My understanding of the American Dream: go to college, get a good job, and finally get your own family.  The American Dream is a universal dream.  His dream has not yet come true for me, but he has helped me make great strides, good things come to those who wait.  Maybe the dream will eventually come true; I doubt it will in my life time

In many repeated statements the American Dream died along with the dreamer (Dufresne).  Just a quick question for thought do you think that Martin Luther King, Jr.  at the present day would think that his dream was attained? Do you think that he would be happy with the way that things are today? Do you think that all men (not some men but all) are created equal in this day and time?

Works Cited

The Library of Congress: American Memory Fellows Program

http://online.sfsu.edu/~kferenz/syllabus/dreams/thedream.html

King Jr., Martin Luther.A Knock at Midnight Inspiration from the Great Sermons

of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.  Ed.  Holloran, Peter & Ed.  Carson,

Clayborne.

www.stanford.edu/group/king/sermons/650704_the_american_dream.html

Murtha, Justin.  How The American Dream Has Changed Over Time.

http://www.fcps.k12.va.us/RockyRunMS/SocialStudies/AmericaDreams/p2/time.html

Nadi, Moahmed Corruption of the ‘American Dream’.

http://www.literatureclassics.com/essays/735/

Atlee, Tom.  “The Conversion of the American Dream”.  In Context: A Quarterly of

Humane Sustainable Culture.  (1990): 15

Dufresne, Edward R.  Rev.  “Is Martin Luther King’s dream still alive?” SouthCoast

Today on the Web (1998).  27 April 2004 <http://www.s-t.com/daily/03-98/03-29-98/a11op042.htm#TOP>

Trigos-Gilbert, Maria L.  “The American Dream: Myth or Reality?” Go Inside.  30 Nov. 

1999: 27 April 2004 < http://goinside.com/99/11/myth.html>

Florida, Richard.  “The New American Dream” Washington Monthly.  March 2003: 27

April 2004.  < http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2003/0303.florida.html>