OH LOOK A PUPPY

    So, now that I have your attention, let's get down to some real talk. We all know about the American dream; we’ve heard about it, read about it, blogged about it, but why is it so significant? How did it come to be? How is it still persisting in American society after all these years?

    If you expect me to answer those questions I’m not going to. For one thing it’s going to be different for everyone since everyone is looking through different lenses, seeing from unique perspectives, coming from different backgrounds. Plus, that’s not my goal here. If you want answers you can find them in The American Dream in the 21st Century, a compendium edited by Sandra Hanson and John White. Within its chapters you will find the writings of many respectable folks providing their views on the American Dream.

    And no this is not a book report.

    See, there was a certain section within this book that I found rather interesting–well, 3 small sections actually, but let’s just lump them together by referencing pages 8-10. Here you can see 3 smaller separate paragraphs set apart from the rest of the text, listing various responses to certain aspects of the American Dream. Of course, what immediately stands out is the repeated mention of freedom, equality, equal opportunity, success, security, etcetera etcetera. What really caught my attention was the idea of educational opportunity and educational advancement.

    Why? Because I’m the first in my family to go straight into a 4 year university after high school.

    In this day and age having a great education can make or break you; the importance of getting a college degree in order to get a good job with a stable income is emphasized again and again. I especially hear it from my mother, a wonderful little Filipino woman who dreamed of getting a college degree but could only make it as far as high school because of her family’s financial situation. My father was quite similar in the sense that he was never able to get to college, and instead joined the Navy. Luckily for him he was able to ascend to high positions after retiring, and makes a more than stable income. Because of this my parents reiterated time and time again that we 3 kids had to go to college so we would live better lives than they did.

    My brother and sister didn’t quite listen.

    Instead, they started working in retail or restaurant jobs, only to realize later that it wasn’t paying them enough for them to be satisfied. So my sister, the oldest of us, started trying to get her degree; 11 years later she earned her degree in Communications while racking up a whopping debt of some amount I don’t quite remember (it would make your wallet cry though). My brother, on the other hand, didn’t bother with school and just kept working hard; 11 years later and he’s struggling to pay bills and make ends meet.

    I was the youngest, and often called “the good kid” who listened to mommy and daddy and did what I was told. I took the higher level courses in high school. I focused on my studies. I took advantage of as many opportunities as I could and I made it; I got into one of the toughest schools in California to get into, on track with units already complete to pursue a degree in Engineering.

    Despite the odds stacked against me I made it, and that is what’s so important about this section. 

    That it speaks of people’s American Dreams being linked to getting a good education, or paving that path for their children. It speaks of a desire to succeed, a desire for future generations to live relatively comfortably, a desire for the educational opportunities that didn’t exist in the past, a desire for financial security in a world where good finances are practically everything, a desire for a better future.

    This was the American Dream for my parents.

    This is the American Dream I hold for the children I will have some day.

    This is one aspect the Dream I live, and it’s important that everyone know that they can too.

    After all, White and Hanson stated on page 8 while introducing the idea of equal opportunity “the American Dream endures [because] it has been closely intertwined with deeply held American values, especially freedom and opportunity.”

    The opportunities are there; it’s a matter of whether or not we’ll seek them.

    Thanks for reading, have a dappertato

Fluidity of American Dreams

Often times it seems to me that the general interpretation of the American Dream is getting a good education, followed by a stable job, and eventually buying a home to start a family. But this idea of the American Dream has become outdated as times and demographics have changed. Sure, you’ve still got the cut and dry individuals that fit into the type described above, but like american races and ethnicities, ideas of what the american dream is are diverse; there is no one set definition that applies to all. Rather, the meaning continues to change and evolve as times ticks on.
    In the article “American Dreams” from the New York Times (July 1, 2016), this couldn’t be more evident. From the get go we see from the perspective of a woman who descends from african american slaves, whose desires are by no means wealth centered or success centered, but human rights centered. Weah expressed the dream and desire for nothing more than equal rights; for the ability of americans to pursue the famous phrase of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” This dream goes beyond herself to other americans. Yes, other americans. And she wasn’t the only one either. Many other individuals who took part in this study held similar sentiments; wanting a safe place for people of all walks for life, wanting to reach out to those suffering from drug abuse and save them, wishing to empower one’s community, doing honest work to ensure that those who receive your products are satisfied, wanting everyone to be advocated for in the world, these are just a handful of the american dreams shared by others. And all of these are concerned with matters beyond the self.
    I mean, who even thinks of other people’s advancement before their own? That’s just plain crazy!
    All joking aside, the fact that so many of the individuals dreamt and hoped for something better for all people and not just themselves is pretty heartwarming. The mere thought that someone else is thinking of you is pleasant in and of itself, but knowing that complete strangers are wishing for your happiness? Your success? Your safety and acceptance? That can be life altering.
    And if people aren’t dreaming about every single good thing possible for every single person, then they’re dreaming of personal growth. Taking on challenge after challenge, learning and growing along the way; pushing oneself to the very limit to become stronger as a person; to become self sufficient, and unreliant on the materialistic and capitalistic values of society; to live freely as one desires rather than feeling the need to conform to the expectations of society; to rebuild one's life not only for one's own sake, but also for the sake of those around them.
    I can’t help but admire these people for having such positive goals and dreams in mind. They aren’t solely focused on making money and buying a house, they’re thinking more deeply with desires for positive growth, both on an individual level and on a nationwide level.
    After reading this article I’ve found that my own perception of the American Dream has changed, as has my personal dream. My american dream is for a world of tolerance, and acceptance. A world where people can step back and look at everything that's going wrong and try to find a way to make it right again. A world where people can live the lives they want without fear of judgement or being attacked, so long as that lifestyle doesn't involve hurting themselves and/or others. A world where people can coexist with this planet and the life all around us instead of destroying for the sake of expansion. I dream of a world where people could keep an open mind, and be accepting of change and progress rather than trying to go back to "the good old days".
    I dream of love.