|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 12:31 pm
This topic was brought up today in my English class. Everyone put in ideas of what they thought was the American Dream. There were a ton of different things. I'm curious to see what the people in the Barton Army think.
What is the American Dream to you?
(Note biggrin iscussion of course not limited to only Americans.)
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 4:04 pm
To me, the American dream is to take what you have and use whatever resources and oppurtunities you can get your hands on to go as far as you can.
My family came from the war torn nation of Cambodia just after a genocide had killed 3 million people. My father had lost 6 out of his 12 siblings and my mother lost all but her mother and her brother. They came to this country with no grasp of English and younger than your typical high school freshman. Both of them grew up in two of Houston's ghettos, the 5th Ward and 3rd Ward respectively.
When I was born, they had moved out to the lower Eastside of Houston and were still in college. Years later, we now live in a two-story house with a dog and two cars. If two immigrants from ******** nowhere who came here as kids with no education can get in 30 years what some families have to spend several generations to get to, there has to be an explanation.
That explanation is the American Dream. It is the culmination of hard work that leads to a happy life in this country.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 11:25 pm
To me?
My situation isn't much farther from Chang's. I'll just say that.
Due to my environment, my dream is childish to some, but respectable to others;
Start a band, and play music for the rest of my life. Of course, settle down with a wife and kids, but still be able to play music. That would be my dream.
EDIT
Oops, I wasn't paying attention.
Well, the 'American' dream is subjective, and differs from person to person. The stereotypical vision is the white picket fence, dog, two kids, one baby or a kid on the way and the stay at home wife.
Realistic-Wise, that isn't possible with today's economic downfall. Unless you're a CEO of some medals-up-the-a** company, you're ******** if you try that.
Basically, what Chang said; that's a rather general, yet accurate description.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 3:59 am
The American Dream is your dream and exists if you can reach it.
No, that doesn't mean all your dreams are the American Dream.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 1:29 pm
I believe that the American Dream consists of several elements.
~Opportunity
After all, it is known as "The Land of Opportunity". Many immigrants come here for a second chance at a good life. However it is sad to think that these days, many immigrants aren't getting the best jobs due to prejudice and the like, which unfortunately enough still exists and always will.
~Equality
In many other countries, people are treated differently. Men treated different from women, race to race, etc. Some come to America to become equal, as it states in the Declaration of Independence "All men are created equal."
~Freedom of all sorts
Freedom of speech, Freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, Freedom of the press, etc. Here, as long as you obide by the law, you're free to do as you wish.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri May 15, 2009 6:36 pm
After reading chang's post I feel like I am damn idiot but heres what I feel is my dream.
I was given up after i turned 5yrs old and was adopted by grandparents.
I do not know either of my real parents well enough to say that they are my parents.yes I do live with my birth mom but i dont say that she is my mom because for the greatest part of my life she was not around.
i have worked hard throughout my life to get the things i want and nearly died trying to get where i am at in life now. I have married 2 times and divorced 2 times over the fact that they tried to kill me and its a damn miracle that i am here to tell my story.
what pisses me off is kids today get credit cards, fast cars and live in their parents homes without paying one penny for what they eat or pay a bill . I work my a** off to pay my moms bills and make sure we have food on the table to eat the next day! I can not afford the life of luxury so I know where chang is coming from with using what things you have and make do with you have.
I am 36 years old and it has taken me most of my life to learn that a job is very important and its better to do what they ask you to do then to tell them that you wont do it. I am hoping one day to move to Oahu Hawaii with my RL boyfriend and make a new start there. I have been to Houston and I can tell you that its a bad place (some of it) and the things that happen there are horrible. Vidor Texas is not much better and we have the KKK here which I hate with a passion cause other people of different cultures can not live here with getting tormented in one way or another.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
