The American Dream Will Always Be Alive
Fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger once said, “The road to success is not easy to navigate, but with hard work, drive and passion, it's possible to achieve the American dream.” This quote represents that any person that works hard with persistence and ambition can be successful in life. However, some people would disagree and assert that there is little opportunity in America’s poor economy. No doubt, America has an immense amount of debt and continues to spend, which results to the various ways the country is struggling financially. However, the state of economy of the country a person lives in does not mean he or she can not achieve his or her aspirations. The American dream has shifted into a new meaning due to the recessing economy of America; accordingly, the dream will always exist even though some critics argue that the dream is dead.
The definition of the American dream has changed and entered a new direction. No longer do people think of the goal to have a wonderful family that lives in a nice house surrounded with a white picket fence. Uniquely, the first definition of the American dream was originally stated by James Adams: “... is that dream of a land in which should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability and achievement, regardless of social class or circumstances of birth” (King 573). However, now people think of financial stability and having a 401k retirement plan. These new goals are due to the constant awareness that America and its citizens are deeply in debt in many areas (Thomas 569). As a result, American citizens’ new “dream” is to be financially sound. Brandon King, author of "The American Dream: Dead, Alive, or on Hold?", claims , “Today, most people do not strive for a rags-to-riches transition, and instead prefer a stable, middle-class lifestyle, one in which they can focus on saving money for the future and having secure employment” (King 573). In short, the American dream has went into a new direction; yet, the transformation of this dream is due to the poor state of America’s economy.
The American dream seems impossible because of the unstable economy. The United States of America is excessively deep in debt. The problem has slowed, but the country still loses heaps of money every day. Data shows that the stock market alone has lost trillions of dollars (King 572). Another fact: in the year 2009, United States born citizens lost over one million jobs while foreign-born individuals gained over 600,000 (Herbert 564). In addition, the government seems unable to develop any thoroughly successful solutions to end the recession. Bill Hebert, author of “Hiding From Reality,” asserts, “America will never get its act together until we recognize how much trouble we’re really in, and how much effort and shared sacrifice is needed to stop the decline” (Herbert 567). Also, the strong role of technology in displaying American economy plays a critical role. American financial issues fill the news and media, so people are constantly bombarded with these troubling statistics. Consequently, United States’ citizens become stressed about the economy and believe they will never be financially sound. Nonetheless, a person’s circumstances do not hinder his or her ability to drive and have dreams of success.
The American dream will always be alive because it is a matter of perspective. People can always work hard and follow their goals in life no matter the shape of their country’s economy or their personal circumstances. People can always dream and motivate themselves. King agrees when he writes, “The American dream, however, is based on perception, on the way someone imagines to be successful” (King 575). Equally, people generally still believe in the American dream. King further explains, “... a 2009 New York Times survey that found 72 percent of Americans still believe it was possible to start poor, work hard, and become rich in America (King 573). Adding to King’s argument, I would point out that as long as people have intense passion and inner drive, the American dream will be recognizable and thriving. Humans should not expect their aspirations in life to come true by the help of their government but from themselves. Author of “Is the American Dream Over?” Cal Thomas explains that any person who believes a nonfunctional government is going to help make his or her dreams come true is giving faith to the incorrect place (Thomas 569). But above all, in 1931, popular historian James Adams wrote, "If the American dream is to come true and to abide with us it will, at bottom, depend on the people themselves” (Meacham par. 38). This statement was true then and is still true to this day. However, the unsettling truth that America’s economy is poor results to individuals believing there is no dream.
Many critics would argue that the American dream no longer exists. These individuals believe that America is in shambles, and people are in denial of the system. For example, Herbert incorrectly declares, “However you want to define the American dream, these is not much of it that’s let anymore” (Herbet 565). These opposers also believe that no person will be able to thrive because humans will continue to suffer while recovering from the recession. However, these ideologies are inaccurate. Although, the evidence shows that the United States is still and always will be a global powerhouse and is a country filled with opportunities. People in general may not support the dream, but it still works exceptionally well. Thomas himself writes, “The rules for achieving the American dream may no longer be taught in and supported by culture, but that doesn’t mean they don’t work” (Thomas 570). The accomplishment of the American dream or any other dream in life will not be because of outside factors but as a result of hard work and intense dedication.
The American dream has shifted into a new meaning due to the recessing economy of America; accordingly, the dream will always exist even though some critics argue that the dream is dead. Tommy Hilfiger once said that “The road to success is not easy to navigate, but with hard work, drive and passion, it's possible to achieve the American dream.” This idea symbolizes that a person’s circumstances or surroundings do not play a role if he or she can be successful. Accordingly, every human knows that America is still crawling its way out of a recession. Yet, if an individual works hard and never gives up, he or she will achieve the American dream.
Works Cited
Herbert, Bob "Hiding from Reality" They Say I Say With Readings. By Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein. Ed. Russel Durst. 2E ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2012. 564-567. Print.
King, Brandon "The American Dream: Dead, Alive, or on Hold?" They Say I Say With Readings. By Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein. Ed. Russel Durst. 2E ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2012. 572-579. Print.
Meacham, Jon. “Keeping the Dream Alive. (Cover Story).” Time, vol. 180, no. 1, 2 July 2012, pp. 26–39. Academic Search Elite, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=afh&AN=77340917&site=ehost-live. Accessed 22 Feb. 2017.
Thomas, Cal “Is the American Dream Over?" They Say I Say With Readings. By Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein. Ed. Russel Durst. 2E ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2012. 568-571. Print.
The definition of the American dream has changed and entered a new direction. No longer do people think of the goal to have a wonderful family that lives in a nice house surrounded with a white picket fence. Uniquely, the first definition of the American dream was originally stated by James Adams: “... is that dream of a land in which should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability and achievement, regardless of social class or circumstances of birth” (King 573). However, now people think of financial stability and having a 401k retirement plan. These new goals are due to the constant awareness that America and its citizens are deeply in debt in many areas (Thomas 569). As a result, American citizens’ new “dream” is to be financially sound. Brandon King, author of "The American Dream: Dead, Alive, or on Hold?", claims , “Today, most people do not strive for a rags-to-riches transition, and instead prefer a stable, middle-class lifestyle, one in which they can focus on saving money for the future and having secure employment” (King 573). In short, the American dream has went into a new direction; yet, the transformation of this dream is due to the poor state of America’s economy.
The American dream seems impossible because of the unstable economy. The United States of America is excessively deep in debt. The problem has slowed, but the country still loses heaps of money every day. Data shows that the stock market alone has lost trillions of dollars (King 572). Another fact: in the year 2009, United States born citizens lost over one million jobs while foreign-born individuals gained over 600,000 (Herbert 564). In addition, the government seems unable to develop any thoroughly successful solutions to end the recession. Bill Hebert, author of “Hiding From Reality,” asserts, “America will never get its act together until we recognize how much trouble we’re really in, and how much effort and shared sacrifice is needed to stop the decline” (Herbert 567). Also, the strong role of technology in displaying American economy plays a critical role. American financial issues fill the news and media, so people are constantly bombarded with these troubling statistics. Consequently, United States’ citizens become stressed about the economy and believe they will never be financially sound. Nonetheless, a person’s circumstances do not hinder his or her ability to drive and have dreams of success.
The American dream will always be alive because it is a matter of perspective. People can always work hard and follow their goals in life no matter the shape of their country’s economy or their personal circumstances. People can always dream and motivate themselves. King agrees when he writes, “The American dream, however, is based on perception, on the way someone imagines to be successful” (King 575). Equally, people generally still believe in the American dream. King further explains, “... a 2009 New York Times survey that found 72 percent of Americans still believe it was possible to start poor, work hard, and become rich in America (King 573). Adding to King’s argument, I would point out that as long as people have intense passion and inner drive, the American dream will be recognizable and thriving. Humans should not expect their aspirations in life to come true by the help of their government but from themselves. Author of “Is the American Dream Over?” Cal Thomas explains that any person who believes a nonfunctional government is going to help make his or her dreams come true is giving faith to the incorrect place (Thomas 569). But above all, in 1931, popular historian James Adams wrote, "If the American dream is to come true and to abide with us it will, at bottom, depend on the people themselves” (Meacham par. 38). This statement was true then and is still true to this day. However, the unsettling truth that America’s economy is poor results to individuals believing there is no dream.
Many critics would argue that the American dream no longer exists. These individuals believe that America is in shambles, and people are in denial of the system. For example, Herbert incorrectly declares, “However you want to define the American dream, these is not much of it that’s let anymore” (Herbet 565). These opposers also believe that no person will be able to thrive because humans will continue to suffer while recovering from the recession. However, these ideologies are inaccurate. Although, the evidence shows that the United States is still and always will be a global powerhouse and is a country filled with opportunities. People in general may not support the dream, but it still works exceptionally well. Thomas himself writes, “The rules for achieving the American dream may no longer be taught in and supported by culture, but that doesn’t mean they don’t work” (Thomas 570). The accomplishment of the American dream or any other dream in life will not be because of outside factors but as a result of hard work and intense dedication.
The American dream has shifted into a new meaning due to the recessing economy of America; accordingly, the dream will always exist even though some critics argue that the dream is dead. Tommy Hilfiger once said that “The road to success is not easy to navigate, but with hard work, drive and passion, it's possible to achieve the American dream.” This idea symbolizes that a person’s circumstances or surroundings do not play a role if he or she can be successful. Accordingly, every human knows that America is still crawling its way out of a recession. Yet, if an individual works hard and never gives up, he or she will achieve the American dream.
Works Cited
Herbert, Bob "Hiding from Reality" They Say I Say With Readings. By Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein. Ed. Russel Durst. 2E ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2012. 564-567. Print.
King, Brandon "The American Dream: Dead, Alive, or on Hold?" They Say I Say With Readings. By Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein. Ed. Russel Durst. 2E ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2012. 572-579. Print.
Meacham, Jon. “Keeping the Dream Alive. (Cover Story).” Time, vol. 180, no. 1, 2 July 2012, pp. 26–39. Academic Search Elite, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=afh&AN=77340917&site=ehost-live. Accessed 22 Feb. 2017.
Thomas, Cal “Is the American Dream Over?" They Say I Say With Readings. By Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein. Ed. Russel Durst. 2E ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2012. 568-571. Print.