American Dream Article SOAPSTone
The Reality of the American Dream
By Saryah Robinson
________________________________________
Remember when you were a child and somebody asked you what you wanted to be when you grew up? Personally, I wanted to be a NASCAR racer. I know, a little far-fetched if you think about it. When we were children we were so optimistic. We hardly accepted failure. This was the time in our lives when we sincerely believed in ourselves. We believed in the American Dream because it was instilled in our minds by our parents that we could be anything we wanted to be. We dreamed without limits.
The American Dream can be generally defined as living a prosperous and fulfilled life. As Americans when we consider the American Dream we think of being rich, but if you ask a foreigner what their idea of the American Dream is, you will most likely get an answer that has the words, “freedom, equality and opportunity.” The American people have changed the definition of the dream over time, defining it as a word that signifies the hope of becoming rich and prosperous.
Today we have moved away from the belief that anyone can achieve the American Dream. Bob Herbert, an op-ed journalist for The New York Times, wrote in his article, Hiding from Reality “However you want to define the American Dream, there is not much of it that’s left anymore.”
First year student Nia MooreWeathers said, “the American Dream was more achievable when the economy was growing in the 20th century, but the American dream has changed its definition therefore it is different. It may not be the same for everyone.”
The idea of the American Dream has definitely changed over time. Today’s version of the “American Dream” was created during the time around the Great Depression of the 1930s. This was the time when people believed they could succeed from rags to riches. Nowadays, that idea has faded.
First-year student Dora Castillo said, “I feel like the American Dream for the most part is everyone wanting the same
By Saryah Robinson
________________________________________
Remember when you were a child and somebody asked you what you wanted to be when you grew up? Personally, I wanted to be a NASCAR racer. I know, a little far-fetched if you think about it. When we were children we were so optimistic. We hardly accepted failure. This was the time in our lives when we sincerely believed in ourselves. We believed in the American Dream because it was instilled in our minds by our parents that we could be anything we wanted to be. We dreamed without limits.
The American Dream can be generally defined as living a prosperous and fulfilled life. As Americans when we consider the American Dream we think of being rich, but if you ask a foreigner what their idea of the American Dream is, you will most likely get an answer that has the words, “freedom, equality and opportunity.” The American people have changed the definition of the dream over time, defining it as a word that signifies the hope of becoming rich and prosperous.
Today we have moved away from the belief that anyone can achieve the American Dream. Bob Herbert, an op-ed journalist for The New York Times, wrote in his article, Hiding from Reality “However you want to define the American Dream, there is not much of it that’s left anymore.”
First year student Nia MooreWeathers said, “the American Dream was more achievable when the economy was growing in the 20th century, but the American dream has changed its definition therefore it is different. It may not be the same for everyone.”
The idea of the American Dream has definitely changed over time. Today’s version of the “American Dream” was created during the time around the Great Depression of the 1930s. This was the time when people believed they could succeed from rags to riches. Nowadays, that idea has faded.
First-year student Dora Castillo said, “I feel like the American Dream for the most part is everyone wanting the same