Blog #2: The American Dream in the 21st Century Introduction Response

The American Dream in the 21^st Century is an anthology that addresses the American Dream in modern day life. In Sandra Hanson and John White’s introduction, the two editors speak to a variety of ways Americans interpret the American Dream. Considering relevant political, social, and economic factors, Hanson and White begin to tackle a number of the endless meanings behind pursuing or achieving the American Dream.

While some believe that reaching the American Dream is a matter of economic, spiritual, or social success, others believe that it is a simple fantasy. Hanson and White make the point that the “American Dream will always remain elusive and, therefore, disappoint us.” Because the American Dream is elusive—indefinable, vague, difficult to achieve—chasing after it will mostly likely result in discontent. I found this observation interesting because I realized how, as the typical American life becomes increasingly modern, the American Dream constantly evolves and takes new meaning to fit with the times. Although, it will ultimately always remain unattainable.

With the 2016 Presidential Election, surfacing of radical racist groups, and other current world issues, certain aspects of the American Dream have become further out of reach—and thus more emphasized. As Americans realize that prejudice and racism still rage in our nation, many wish that the States was still where all men and women are created equal. Equality has become a larger part of the American Dream as we see that it is no longer enforced in our communities.

Although we see equality—along with other details of the traditional American Dream—fading in society, it is something incredibly difficult to save. No matter how many Americans wish that the KKK or white supremacy did not exist, we also acknowledge that it is not something that can be easily shut out of our society. But this applies to many other aspects of our culture: the decreasing availability of jobs, competitiveness of receiving college educations, growing number of unnoticed crimes. Because new problems are constantly arising in the U.S., the American Dream becomes both altered and further out of reach.

Personally, the American Dream seems further away than it ever has. Along with the nation’s political turmoil, the transition from high school to college also puts things into a new perspective. I realize that I’ll soon be competing thousands of other students for higher rankings, job openings, internships, and much more. Seeing hate crimes take over the news while grasping the vast amount of work required to simply succeed in life makes the American Dream seem far away.

But Hanson and White go on to state that achieving “the American Dream will always be partly an individual pursuit.” Although the American Dream will remain elusive and seemingly impossible, individuals have to keep their faith. Hanson and White acknowledge that the American Dream may never be achieved, but they also believe that Americans can’t let go of their drive and determination to attain it. I believe this insight is also significant, especially after the first quote, because it urges readers to maintain their commitment to the American Dream. Although it can only be achieved as a community, with society working as one, its still possible as long as individuals continue to purse it.