America and I and Other Literature on American Dream

Introduction

America in some cases gives the opportunity to obtain and achieve the American dream. But this also doesn't apply to everyone or anyone. So the “American Dream” is basically that every US citizen should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and happiness through hard work, determination, and initiative. But this doesn't actually bring happiness. It causes false hope and resentment. Say you're an incoming citizen of the US trying to follow this dream. You have to travel from your home country, which costs lots of money, try and settle and find income for you and/or your family, which can be very stressful. Oh and don't forget about all the debt. Also remember you do get knocked down many notches when you are a minority. But some cases may differ upon the person, race, ethnicity, demographic, doesn't matter. We will examine various literature, such as America and I, I, Too, Sing America and others.

The American Dream: An Overview

The American Dream can only be obtained by rich white men that have come or live in the country, with connections or a wealthy family. If you're a white male and have neither of those things, you have your privilege. For example, white girl or boy never having to face the neglect or oppression of what comes down on the black race.The experiences of privilege vary upon different people also, but experiences like this have shaped the way America is viewed in gaining success in this country. White rich men have access to the American dream through their privilege. Privilege is not just given to you. You are born with this. For me, I wasn't. People like me weren't. Privilege is not being the one who has to be separated from others because of the color of your skin.

American Dream in Literature of America

I, Too, Sing America

In the poem, “I, Too, Sing America”,“And be Ashamed--/I, Too, Am America.” (13). The black man is ashamed of what he had to go through while being and American, that is what privilege does. Here for him, America isn’t giving him the space to obtain the American Dream or have access to it. The racism he has experience doesn't give him the equality of opportunity. In my opinion, the access is almost sacred. It is a tough barrier that seems as if I cannot touch it, but I can, and I will break it.

Is the American Dream Still Possible

In the article, “Is the American Dream Still Possible,” by David Wallechinsky, there is a quote that says, “Simone laughs, then replies, “The words ‘retirement’ and ‘vacation’ are not in our vocabulary.”” Simone has to work so hard that she can't even afford a vacation and won't have enough saved for retirement. Simone has to work their whole life to stay financially stable. Where in this sense does the Amerocan Dream apply to them. If they are ironically laughing about having a vacation or retirement, do you think they are happy? Do you think that they are succeeding? I don't think so. Some people say that anyone can achieve the American dream through hard work. Well honestly, a lot of those people are the ones who made it easily through life, lived off their parents, or they just don't realize what influences that have access to in their surroundings. But we are not talking about everyone here. Just the rich, entitled ones. For example, in the speech, “Keynote Address to the 2004 Democratic National Convention,” by Barack Obama, say, “Through hard work and perseverance, my father got a scholarship to study in a magical place, America.” So obviously you can see that Obama's father made it out. This does show that in some cases America still gives access to the American Dream.

America and I

In the short story “America and I”, the main character Anzia is just coming to America. She is very ecstatic about this new idea, but, her dreams get crushed. To explain that she had the opportunity to come here and live the lifestyle of her dreams and have a good life but was denied that service due to horrible people. The house Anzia was working for would not give her the money that she worked for. That's their opportunity to steal that right from her and it's her opportunity to lose hope in America. Anzia says, “The money-my money-my wages!”(37). In this case, what opportunity hasn't been that Anzia has the chance to be paid and get wages but is denied the service. Knowing that she is an immigrant from Russia and doesn't yet have the opportunity to make money, Anzia works in their home to make money and is denied of her wages. “How could they know the gnawing ache of my avid fingers for the feel of my own”(17).

As you can see the opportunity of earning wages was taken from Anzia and she was very upset about that, that she left that house and found a new job in hope to make money. But see Anzia relied on the money to make her happy and for it to give her a better life. From the statements on page 77, “Money and the American Dream,” gives an anonymous quote, “Money cannot buy happiness.” Anzia relied on money to give you happy and to support her American dream. This quote crosses that out and says that basically America in this case cannot support her or give access to her to achieve her dream.

Shown here shows the evidence of qualifying that America still gives access to obtain the American Dream. So the “American Dream” is basically that each and every US citizen should have an equal possibility to obtain success and happiness through difficult work, determination, and initiative.In the article, “Is the American Dream Still Possible,” by David Wallechinsky, there is a quote that says, “Simone laughs, then replies, “The words ‘retirement’ and ‘vacation’ are no longer in our vocabulary.”” Simone has to work so tough that she can't even manage to pay for a vacation and may not have sufficient saved for retirement. She is very ecstatic about this new concept but, her desires get crushed. To say that she had the possibility to come here and stay the way of life of her goals and have a precise life however was denied that carrier due to horrible people. The residence Anzia was working for would now not give her the money that she worked for. That's their opportunity to steal that right from her and it is her chance to lose hope in America. Knowing that she is an immigrant from Russia and doesn't yet have the possibility to make money, Anzia works in their home to make cash and is denied of her wages. But see Anzia relied on the cash to make her glad and for it to give her a better life.

From the statements on web page 77, “Money and the American Dream,” offers an anonymous quote, “Money cannot buy happiness.” Anzia relied on cash to supply you happiness and to assist her American dream. This quote crosses that out and says that basically America in this case cannot support her or give get right of entry to to her to reap her dream. In my experience the American Dream has never supported me or my family nor has America given my family or I the opportunity. The only opportunity people like me are given is to do something that others don't think is ethical.

The dream that used to be sold to me used to be growing up used to be not being capable to say sure things due to the fact of the “Americans” we are, no longer having sufficient funds to relax, and gave out inconceivable beliefs from whether or not you take the probability and make a decision. It's difficult being in the society we stay in understanding someone's eyes are always on you. You can experience the resentment and disgust they have for you. You are also just a toy to these people. Something they assume they can pet and throw around like its nothing. Then we have those who choose to seem to be like you that would by no means desire to set-up a day in your shoes.

The Hardships of Living in America as a Black Woman

Being a black woman in this generation is hard. It’s past difficult and there is no phrase to describe what it feels like, But it hurts, it hurts even greater when you're even rejected by means of your very own race. Why is that? Because of the labels that are put on black women. We are either too loud, too big, too bold, too strong,ect. Then when we “can get a black man” and we locate any individual that defines treats us with our world, we are shamed for it. Where does that make sense? It doesn't. A black female will never be blissful in modern society because we are continuously hated on. Most human beings nowadays don't see that , and most people have made themselves blind to the truth that it is truly taking place

When I used to be youthful I thought that if my pores and skin was once lighter or if my hair used to be straight I idea I would be lovely boys at school would inform me that they didn't like me due to the fact I was once darkish skin. Why did they think like this? The media likes to focus on two that are lighter skin tones and have straight hair, once more the Caucasian features.That is the media’s beauty standard. Up till 2016, I was once seen as unpleasant in the way my skin looked. Now it is a large trend. Wow, is not that ironic.

In all, we need to work together to break down society and build it up again. Living in this America is tough for everyone. Everyone always has something on their tale no matter what. Nothing is free nor do you actually have a chance at success if you are a part of a minority group. This idea of the American Dream is false advertisement and it always has been. We need to rewrite it. Hopes will not be crushed, but they will be set upon what they can and cannot do.

Conclusion

This concept is all about high expectations, material things, and wants you'll never get. You know the “American Dream” is only based on wealth and social acceptance. Lots of us find it hard to even access that, but we are promised this dream that will bring us happiness based on hard work. My mother had worked everyday in her life day and night providing for my family. We don't have our happiness. We are not accepted in society. That “American Dream” concept is complete bullshit and only applies to certain people, which we already know is the white male. But it's supposed to apply to every US citizen. Really? I wonder how that's supposed to work.