The american dream 2
The american dream 2The basis of this report, which is the pursuit of happiness, and mainly the American Dream, has always been present in the lives of all things living. The feeling of want for something better than what we already have is the foundation of improvement in our world today. Anyone who has ever thought that they deserved a promotion or bought a lottery ticket, has inevitably, at one point in their lives, thought about something better for themselves. If they hadn't, then they would not have tried to obtain the new corner office space or win that million-dollar prize. The idea of the American Dream still holds true in today's time, be it wealth, love, or fame. But one thing never changes about the American Dream; everyone desires something in life and everyone, somehow, strives to get it. Personal dreams symbolize the larger American Dream where all have the opportunity to get what they want.
The American Dream is to be able to do whatever you want. In other words, freedom. The main difference between the Unite States and other countries is the amount of freedom that Americans have compared to others. If a person were to badmouth the government in other countries, they would be jailed or even put to death. In the U.S., people have the freedom of speech. Take for example, Allen Ginsburg’s poem, “America”, he spoke his mind and nothing happened to him. Americans sometimes take for granted the freedom and opportunity they have until they see what is happening in other countries.
To achieve the American Dream, you also have to put the effort into it. Nothing is handed out to you on a silver platter. Take for example Andre Agassi, he is the number two seed in tennis right now. He is right behind Pete Sampras. Andre is an amazing person, well spoken, and speaks well of his opponents. Seems to be a good sport in all aspects of the game. Plays amazing tennis for a relatively small guy. And two years ago, he had fallen so far, that he was unranked on the tour. He was so low that he did not even rank in the top 100. How sad is that? And hey, look at him now, he’s over thirty years old. Fit, quick on his feet, ripped to the bone.
That could be anyone. Yes - anyone. People just have to want it badly enough. Because that's what happened with Andre, he went from being an out of shape thirty-year old to one of the world’s top ranked player. By running, working out, being on the court ten hours a day, and getting rid of his gut. And doing wind sprints even between matches. Not even resting when he is AT the US Open. He’s an example of a person who lived his American Dream – to strive and achieve - to be happy.
In Walt Whitman’s poem, “America”, he speaks of the United States of being the place with equal daughters and sons. He talks of the amount of equality and opportunities available to each and every person. In one of his passages he says “ … All, all alike endear’d, grown, ungrown, young or old, strong, ample, fair, enduring, capable, rich …”. Even though the poem is just a few sentences, it outlined the model for a typical American Dream. Opportunities give you the chance to pursue your dreams and ultimately be happy.
In the story “To�o” by C�sar Gonzalez, To�o had many opportunities to have a better life. The teacher did everything in his power to get him into school and provide everything necessary. In essence, he gave To�o opportunities that he never had before. To�o could have chosen to continue school and lived a better life. However he decided what was in his family’s best interest and got a job. He had brothers and sisters that he had to care for. He had to balance the happiness of himself and his family. Ultimately his family’s well being was more important than his continuing education. In a way, he probably feels happier and more at piece of mind with his decision to work.
Martin Luther King Jr. had his own American Dream. His dream was that one day everyone would be treated equally no matter the color of their skin. His speech was on August 28, 1963 when African-Americans were still unfairly treated by the law. One of his most famous lines was “ I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” He wanted equality for all. He was in pursuit of happiness not only for himself, but also for all African-Americans and minorities. In this speech, King urges black people to never forget their dreams. King preaches that in the eyes of God, the blacks are as good as any other race and should be treated as equals. “I have a dream that one day every valley will be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places shall be made plain, and the crooked places shall be made straight, and the glory of the lord shall be revealed, and all shall see it together,”
If a person want to be an obnoxious punk, that person can be that too. Isn't America great? Every time a person sits in front of the television and just vegetate, they are making a choice. Every time a person eats a Twinkie - they are making a choice. Every time a person does something constructive or something destructive. They are making a choice. Life is what you make of it. One would start thinking that everyone should read this and think that they need to stop eating Twinkies and watching MTV right now or make themselves into Andre Agassi. What I am saying is that you can be anything you want in this life. You can make it happen. No matter a person’s choice, they do what makes them happy.