So how would I describe this "American Dream"? Similarly to the song, the "American Dream" is something we as humans search for, yet have not successfully attached ourselves to because of a constant search for self and improvement. For instance, "Life is but a dream" means that life isn't a dream- or at least, that is my interpretation of it. We could row our boats down the stream as many times as we want to, but we will reach the end, and the "dream" like state of it will terminate.
I would apply the term euphemism to describe the world's view on the "American Dream" only because America prides herself on the diversity to which she entitles herself to; however, if the goal is to have equality, education, wealth, and righteousness in our country, the likely hood of it happening is slim to none. Think about the saying, "A rectangle is a square, but a square isn't a rectangle". We can apply that to ourselves because while humans are animals, animals are not humans. When we have human characteristics and features, we also have our animal-istic natures in us that over compensate the way we do things and how we preserve ourselves.
The ironic thing about the "American Dream" is that it can't successfully happen when the country is still stricken with significant groups of people who are unable to achieve this "dream", and the fortunate groups who can, and more. Poverty and wealth, as they are called, are the extremities of one another. My views on it is that wealth is capable, where as poverty puts the "IN" in wealth's capable. (I know- a smidgen confusing).
I would also say that America's views on wealth and poverty are similar to my views, and that is that we look at wealth like you are well on your way, and that we look at poverty like it is a disease or sickness. Wealthy rhymes with healthy! Ha-ha. And poverty, on the other hand, is at the bottom of the totem pole; the place that is extremely tough to get out of.
First, when you are wealthy, you are able to have more opportunities such as going to parties, concerts, traveling, eating at expensive restaurants and buying from the top grocery stores with organic food. Likewise, when you are healthy, you are able to run outside and play on sports teams and have more energy to do things.
When you are in poverty, it becomes a struggle to survive. Plus, the government has some funds for those in poverty to try to help them (of course, it also is given to those who apply and meet the requirements, and not all those who ask for help are given help). There are charities, fundraisers, and the GCF to help those as well. But you have to keep in mind that when a person is in poverty, trying to breach the surface of living comfortably is tough because if you fall down again, you don't have anything to support you.Therefore the process repeats. Similarly, diseases and sicknesses have ways of coming back, or have ways of sticking around for an unwanted amount of time. Sometimes, it leaves you paralyzed, and I don't mean not being able to move with your arms or legs. I mean losing the energy to keep going, or diminishing some working function on your body, making it even tougher to do more things.
America recognizes that wealth brings in opportunities, and that poverty is invisible to them, but America turns the blind eye to it. Coming from my personal experiences, I know how to live with everything and I know how to live with nothing. As of right now, I feel that if you do not have the experience to live both, you can't understand fully (tok, taking in those perspectives!). So to bring back in the idea of the "American Dream", this goal of Americas is too far out there. It resides on the tip top of a sail boat with the look-out deck and flags, completely ignoring the sand at the bottom of the ocean.
This was super cool to read. It pretty much summed up a lot of my thoughts. I feel like the idea of the "American Dream" is all about wealth and opportunity, but it isn't exactly reachable. I think it was interesting how you brought up poverty being this sort of invisible thing we try to "sweep under the rug" because it tarnishes the idea of America's perfect dream. I think it's interesting we associate happiness with wealth -- it's like saying you can't be happy if you aren't well off. I always wonder if this isn't a root problem of the "American Dream."
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