Deciphering Its Meaning to a Modern Society, Essay Example

Introduction

The birth of the American dream was first introduced right after the occurrence of the occurrence of the economic depression. Knowing that the said era affected several countries around the world, the American dream did not only appeal to Americans themselves, but also to other people from other nations. The dream is specifically grounded on freedom and the benefits it does provide for one to realize his own dream and desires for a better life. Such condition allows people to see the capabilities they might have especially in relation to becoming what they want to be and enjoying what life has to offer the way they expect to. Notably, it could be realized that it is not only the Americans who needed to realize this hope, but also the other nationalities across the world.

The dream became a stepping stone for many to recover from the deep effects of the economic depression. Basically, the American government pursued the campaign with regards this particular idealism to further boost their economy as they invite more people to work. The opportunities of employment have served as tool for the realization of the dream and the indicative capacity given to each individual to do something about the dream he hopes to fulfill. Alongside this particular approach, the nation’s economy was boosted.

Through the years, up to the present era of modern living, the American dream remains intact and alive which follows the idealism of providing a good life to those who would want to step into the country. How much of the said approach to reaping the benefits of one’s work towards fulfilling a dream actually brings a person closer to his aspiration? In comparison to the past and the present situations in the society, is the meaning of the American dream still realizable at present? These particular questions shall be given attention to in the discussion that follows. The focus of this discussion shall be based on what the current aspect of human living imposes on the actual realization of the American dream and how it is able to affect the condition of living of individuals in the modern society that America presents them with.

The Dream Then and Now

As mentioned earlier, the American dream was an idealism that was expected to allow Americans to gain hope even from the point of losing everything during the economic depression. Starting from scratch became a stepping stone towards a more developed and more improved way of living.  It could not be denied that somehow, this perception among the people have strongly boosted the American economy hence allowing it to be in competition with other well developed countries across the world. After several years from the point of recovery, America has been opened to the world and immigrants poured in. People from all over the globe wanted to have a taste of the American dream and realize what the country has in store for them. For the American government, this movement meant more power from the people resource and relatively a higher rate of development for their economy in the long run. This is the reason why the doors of America remains open to immigrants even up to this day.

However, times change and the laws change as well. Realizing that more immigrants are coming into the country every day, the government had to alter the policies they have when it comes to accepting new visitors and approving applications for American citizenship every year. The balancing of the country’s resources for the people it is already supporting needed some attention as the original settlers of the country seem to be losing their place in their own home.

In relation to immigration and the aspect of globalization that is also being considered as this world’s modern ‘motto’ towards improving a nation’s status in the face of dealing with an international market, several issues of inequality have also been realized. For instance, immigrants coming from the middle-eastern region are often stereotyped as terrorists especially after the 9/11 incident (Al-Arian, 2012). People coming from the said region are accepted and yet are closely monitored through government rules. It is as if they are already labeled as criminals even before they are able to establish a name in the country. Another race that is being discriminated in the country includes the Asians. Having less capability to speak in the English language, Asians often are called and treated with derogatory conditions making it harder for them to be accepted in the society. Black African Americans [who are at some point are not even immigrants] also experience the same level of discrimination. Relatively, the supposed mixture of different races in a country to realize their dreams has resulted to the division of the communities based on race, beliefs and diversity.

As of now, several immigrants are experiencing the course of life they have chosen to live. People who have already earned their American citizenship are not exempted from the situation. In fact, even they are often harassed as if not recognizing that they are already legal settlers in the country and are deserving a sense of respect as one of the major members of the community. Often, immigrants-turned-American-citizens feel the discrimination through being given less of the benefits that American citizens should actually be able to realize. Businesses established by the said individuals, although successful,  are often not supported by the government therefore they must be able to find strategies that would boost their business in the market on their own. Not to mention the passing of several legislations that kill the market that they serve, the immigrants and people of their own (Lohr, 2012). Notably, this situation has become a common scenario in the US and immigrants have become accustomed to the process where their rights are often trampled, their desires are often set aside and their dreams are often realized to its half-satisfaction.

True, instead of simply working for the dream, individuals who immigrate from other nations to taste what America has to give them are required to struggle hard to earn money for a living. Garnering their basic needs in a foreign country that is supposed to welcome them has become even closer to impossible especially at the point of the failing condition of the nation’s economy. The election of a black president in the persona of Barack Obama has promised a lot to immigrants and practically provided a good source of reliving the American dream. However, at the turn of time, the pressing economic issues in the country killed that hope and made the new president face more than what he promised to handle. The problems got bigger and the impact they have on the people became harsher.

People losing jobs and some other not even getting a good source of living has become a common ground of relative condition among immigrants in the country. At times, simply getting a good education as a source of confidence for getting a good job becomes a source of depression among young immigrants across the country. Could the resource simply be not enough for all? The situation is still the same, the immigrants fill most of the positions that the Americans do not want to take. In the service industry, there are almost 86% of workers coming from the immigrant class. They serve as servants to the white society, and yet they do not care of the discrimination since for them, this is the way they would be able to realize a dream.

Conclusion

The willingness of a person to face a mountain full of problems and complications simply to reach the top and realize his aspiration and expectations is the actual meaning of the American dream today. Nobody gets to see his dream without putting much effort to it and accepting the fact that to get to that dream, enduring social discrimination and displacement is a must. Nevertheless, even though this is the situation, it is most likely that the condition of living that the immigrants fall into remains as a greener pasture for them hence motivating them to accept everything that comes along with it.

References

Lohr, K. (2012). Immigration Law slows a family’s march forward.

Al-Arian, L (2012). When your father is accused of terrorism.