American Dream Final

Christopher Gass

Professor Kelly Warren

English 1102

March 5, 2013

America

It is the year 2013, and The American Dream is Alive. America has changed course a bit, and looks completely different than it did thirty something years ago, but the heart of the American people still beats. A few years ago, a case for a fallen American dream could have been easily argued among the economic woes. Today you still find dedicated workers, and America is adjusting to the ever changing climate. You have children experiencing first generation American life because their parents or grandparents made the decision to move to the United States for the dream. These American newbie’s are still learning the basics of how America operates. The longer you have been established seems like the more knowledge you would have making the “American dream” a reality. The house with the white picket fence still remains, it just looks different. There may be a fence, but it’s not white picket, its fire engine red.

Struggle is a part of the sweat I think unifies America. I have to believe that my dream is active and alive. Between a dream and a prayer, I embrace the new season of America that has become the now, fast paced reality that doesn’t have an off switch. Through the economic challenges, the engine of the nation is still moving. We most definitely have to get creative soon. With constantly growing technology, and the unemployment holding steady, we have to begin looking at alternative ways of bringing the best out of our America. Our carbon footprint can leave a negative impact on ones outlook of the American dream, but we can move forward, it’s America. Some things haven’t changed over the years; the dream has been repackaged, and it is just waiting to be reopened.

The uncertainty of the future sometimes concerns me, but the idea is to keep trucking, keep moving forward. I feel like I’ve been holding a poker face for thirty years, and I’m so close, and if I can just keep the smile on a bit longer, life, the dream will happen. This, some may say may be the curse of my generation or generations after me. People migrate towards America for a reason. How long should I ponder life or my purpose or my place? The truth is, unless you’re lucky enough to have been born into some kind of privilege, or just very good fortune, the American dream is still really hard work. The work type has changed, because of major automation. There is a difference in what work translates into this day in age. Consolidation and outsourcing in America doesn’t exactly inspire confidence to live the dream. One should remember the heart of America, it does not say RSVP on the statue of liberty.

In addition you have the new American family to consider, which if chosen and placed correctly really has an opportunity to shine. You can basically create your own, like you were customizing anything else, a car or maybe a meal at the drive through. A broken home isn’t so broken anymore when you can mix and match. The Washington Post said earlier this year four out of ten families are blended.  Is this the American dream? Future America will never be the same. My grandparents and their six children came here to the US over forty years ago in search of a more promising future. My grandmother ended in having 19 grandchildren. The six children all went on to work to death until achieving their version of success. We have stayed local somehow, and now all my cousins are coming of age. Everyone is getting married and working on their first or second child. When I look around I see the dream unfolding, that is reassuring.

 Today I’d be happy to meet someone to share my life with. After all is said and done my version or my match or my combo doesn’t look that different than the next guys. I want to find unconditional love with a life partner. I want kids, I want pets, maybe a dog, probably no cats. If my kid begs me for a cat one day and the timing is just right, you never know. Welcome to New America. Unlimited consumption, and an opportunity to still do right by yourself and your neighbor.