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Model Final Exam answers 2018 Web Highlights Index to Sample Web Highlights |
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Anari Oliver
May 8, 2018
African Americans and “the Dream”
One of the most notable concepts that I’ve learned this
semester was the idea of “the Dream.” Typically whenever I heard someone refer
to a dream from a historical standpoint, it was always the same redundant
American Dream. The ideal that every American citizen should have an equal
opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination,
and initiative is the basic definition for the American dream. However, it’s
clear to see that this definition isn’t completely true because many Americans
(especially African Americans) feel that this is unobtainable. I would like to
think that if the American dream was obtainable for all US citizens…..the
concept of “the Dream” wouldn’t need to exist amongst African Americans?
The dream or “the Dream” is referred to as an alternative
narrative of The American Dream, which factors in setbacks, the need to rise
again, and a quest for group dignity. The model assignment that went in great
detail on this particular topic is titled “The American Dream and the Dream”
written by an unidentified author. In the essay, the author makes references to
Martin Luther King Jr. and his work to eliminate the nightmares of many African
Americans. The author stated the following: The Dream is that one day setbacks
will be overcome and that minority cultures will rise again with dignity and
unity. I loved this essay because it was very detailed and it delivered a
powerful message. Not only did I love it, I was also able to learn and extend my
knowledge from it as well. I learned that both Dr. King and Douglass were much
more passionate about their activism than what we learn in a typical history
classroom.
The second model assignment that caught my attention is
titled “The American Dream vs. The Dream” written by an unknown author (this
essay didn’t include author’s name). I picked this essay because I admired the
way the author gave a detailed description of what the redundant American dream
is. He/she stated the following: Most people define the “American Dream” as the
beautiful, two-car garage home, surrounded by a white-picket fence, two kids (a
boy and a girl), a pet and a happy pair of parents.” Although the example
includes the typical hopes and wishes of many Americans, it’s followed by an
example that basically states (how I interpreted it) “Many minorities work just
as hard as members of the dominant culture, yet never get to enjoy those
luxuries.” The author mentioned an excerpt that he/she got from a book called
Bread Givers. From this, I was able to gain some knowledge about a new book
about the life of an immigrant Jewish girl. Although the “typical Jew” isn’t
African American, many of their experiences and struggles are very similar.
The third and final model assignment that grasped my
attention is titled “ Dominant Immigrant Culture vs. African American Minority
Culture” written by an unidentified author. This essay stood out to me from many
others because of how detailed and well written it was. The author exhibited
fascinating organizational skills, while still managing to stay on topic. He/she
mentioned “Unlike the American Dream, which stresses the here and now, The Dream
looks forward to the future, to “one day.” I believe that the previous line is
vital in understanding “the Dream” from the African American perspective. It
separates the two concepts, while really focusing on the underlying purpose of
“the Dream.” The exact purpose of “the Dream” is to uplift African Americans so
that they can rise up. The idea of overcoming oppression, being treated fairly,
and having the same opportunities as the dominant culture (without the color of
their skin being judged) fuels this dream for an entire community. From this
model assignment, I was able to expand my knowledge by learning more about the
immigrant experience as opposed to that of minorities.
Each essay or model assignment taught me something
different. I believe that they were all unique in their separate ways. Prior to
the assignment, I only knew a little bit about “the Dream.” However, I knew much
more about the American Dream because it is usually the talk of the town. I know
for sure that “the Dream” that African Americans hope for has still not been
reached. Each generation seems to be getting a lot more liberal than those
before them. Hopefully this new found liberalism will be just what many
minorities need…particularly African Americans.
