American Dream The American Dream is defined as a happy way of living that is thought of by many Americans as something that can be achieved by anyone in the United States especially by working hard and becoming successful. ("Merriam-Webster Dictionary") A shadow has been cast upon the eyes of average Americans. What is wrong with the American dream? Our attention has been shifted from the true problem of economic inequality to the patterned racial discrimination. Take for example Oprah Winfrey, Tyra Banks, Ellen DeGeneres and Kelly Ripa. Oprah and Tyra are both African American while Ellen and Kelly are Caucasian. Tyra is a lot younger than Oprah. Ellen is a homosexual female while Kelly is not. Do these differences of race change the fact that they make a equally substantial amount of money? Today in America we feel the need to justify the economic inequality not with class differences but with the racial borders. As Walters Michaels describes in The Trouble with Diversity he states that “the argument, in its simplest form, will be that we love race – we love identity – because we don’t love class” (Michaels, pg 966). Is this the art of the fundamental teaching of our elders? Is America truly the melting pot of the world, or should it be the salad bowl? In this social “salad bowl” we would be open to retain the cultural identities of our ancestors while assuming a part of larger America whole. The American dream is and always has been fundamentally powerful because of its ability to change its shape based upon the needs of its believers. It is seemingly a relgion without a deity that functions solely on faith. We as Americans have often times worked our way through harsh and tough situations with only a strong ideal to believe in and guide our path. Now the American dream will truly be tested amongst the masses of people in Middle American. The traditional American dream is undergoing a rebirth. The idea of the American youth having such a dream now-a-days is quite different from that our parents and our parent’s parents. We may no longer need to look towards achieving success in our endeavors, but rather to sustainability in the long run. If we look at the success of China and India, this presents a picture of the dwindling window of American opportunity. That is, we always have seen ourselves as the world super power that until recently we have succeeded in being. It is now obvious that the American dream is not a race specific notion but rather a look for American acceptance of the problems of society. There is strong evidence that suggest socioeconomic class does play a part in how the American dream is viewed. For example, a man is unable to provide the necessary luxuries for his family might have a negatives view of the dream. He might see the American dream as unattainable. Almost two-thirds of Americans say that they live from paycheck to paycheck, and 47% say that no matter how hard they work, they cannot get ahead and more than a third worry about job loss. (Wallechinsky) While a man that makes a six figure income might easily see himself as already living the American dream. The middle class still sees this dream as in a focus and ready for the dream to be conquered. This might explain why surveys show just how reluctant American are to identify themselves as being lower and upper class (Michaels, pg 967) This demonstrates one of the main key principles of the American Dream. Is the American dream a way for Americans to dodge the true problems of our society? This question raises a valid argument as whether we truly strive to meet our American dream or is it simply a way to escape from the reality of the Dream. Why does this have to be a problem in America? The trouble is that our problems become harder to solve after they have been shrouded in veil of escapism. America’s true focus should be to promote economic equality and American unity through diversity. To champion diversity is to a champion the free will of the people to make decisions are based upon their cultural influences and backgrounds. Inequality is not something to be ignored but rather something to be embraced because no matter what the Constitution tells us we are not all equal. We may be equal as citizens of the United States but we are not equal as African-Americans, Asian-Americans or Europeans-Americans. This gives a new positive meaning to the phrase “separate but equal.” We as in Americans tend to sensationalize the problems that we cannot solve with a rational mind. Nobody wants to take the time to correctly answer problems that are not easy to solve. We try too hard to keep the problem hidden. We do what we find is the easiest way to get by with and not what is hard to survive. It all starts with developing a course of action to makes the American Middle class stronger. After all, was not American built upon this vase of “buckling down” and getting the job done? As Americans have an obligation to look beyond race and socioeconomic status to the bigger and better picture. The American dream can only be achieve through one’s willingness and ability to put their nose to the proverbial grindstone and fight for our differences. Success in our struggle is not measured by our wins but with our ability to pick ourselves up from our losses. In our efforts to be equal we are missing out on the true point of quality that we can maintain our individuality while working together to better our country and assure that all people are given that exact same basic liberties. As President John F. Kennedy famously said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”(Kennedy) We are being led alone like sheep to think that we must fit into the cast mold the “perfect” American. But, who are we to define perfection?

Works Cited
Michaels, Walter. “The Trouble with Diveristy: How We Learned to Love Indentify and Ignore.” Everything’s an Argument. ED. Karen S. Henry. Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2010
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Encyclopedia Britanica Company, 0. .
Wallechinsky, D.. "Is the American Dream Still Possible?." Parade. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Mar 2012. .
"What is the American Dream?." Familyonbikes.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Mar 2012. .