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Depending who you ask, The American Dream can have many meanings. For most, it's the equal opportunity for anyone to make something of themselves. To achieve the golden family, the perfect job, and the white picket fence. Coined in 1931 by the historian James Truslow Adams,  when defining the American Dream he stated," That dream of land in which life should be better richer and fuller for everyone, with the opportunity for each according to ability or achievement." That regardless of race and gender I could be someone in this world. My background and family does not define my meaning, but instead the work I put into it matters.

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When speaking to the subject of my interview I learned quite a few interesting things. While the traditional meaning of the American Dream is considered dead there are those who still wish to achieve it. To continue to work hard in hopes of no longer living paycheck to paycheck with the belief in the reward of a comfortable life. For example, when asked about their idea of the American Dream, they stated," “Being able to retire, to be able to afford, just be retired with enough money where you don’t have to struggle, not having to live paycheck to paycheck, to have healthcare and to be safe." When asked if the American Dream was alive and realisitic, the answer she gave was," The American dream is a potential. It's that hope. I think the American Dream is that hope that anything is possible and if you work hard enough then you will see the fruits of your labor. The American Dream is a hope."

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Article: The American Dream is still Alive and Well.
Author/Writer : Jack Kelly, Forbes
Link: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2020/11/11/the-american-dream-is-still-alive-and-well-us-started-record-setting-number-of-businesses-during-the-pandemic/?sh=72dc2a4e7b78

Evidence : " Americans are a relentless, maverick, rugged and determined bunch of people. While we like complaining and arguing with each other, Americans have this built-in sense of self-determination and grit. We refuse to give up in the face of disaster. Against all odds, we persevere and bravely forge forward, in pursuit of our dreams and goals."
Americans got grit. I have no idea what it is, but it has been proven that Americans don't know how to quit. Depending on the situation that could be a good or a bad thing. When wanting a better life and becoming someone, the determination for greatness compares to no other. Now when it's Karen, recording and making matters worse, than yeah, not a good thing. Either way, in working hard and staying focused, your definition of the American Dream could come true.

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Americans are a relentless, maverick, rugged and determined bunch of people. While we like complaining and arguing with each other, Americans have this built-in sense of self-determination and grit. We refuse to give up in the face of disaster. Against all odds, we persevere and bravely forge forward, in pursuit of our dreams and goals.

You'd think that with the pandemic raging on for eight months, we'd throw up our hands in despair. Instead, people who are in between jobs continue to diligently search for a new role-knowing full well that the odds are stacked against them.

Another unique American trait has resurfaced. The U.S. has started new businesses at a record-setting rate, in what is being deemed as a " startup boom." John Haltiwanger, an economist at the University of Maryland, said that within the first two months of the virus outbreak, there was a noticeable rise in new business applications. Working on a project with the government provided him with official data detailing new business formations. He was flabbergasted as he saw the upward trend of new business applications. Haltiwanger pointed out, "The third quarter of 2020 is the highest quarter of applications we've ever seen."

Inc. Magazine, a publisher that covers small emerging businesses, echoed Haltiwanger's findings and wrote, "Over the past three months, more new businesses were launched in the U.S. than in any quarter in history." The report showed, "Between June and September, nearly 1.4 million startups were founded."

When a person loses their job, they have tough choices to make. You can start searching for a new job in your field, try to pivot to a new type of role or reinvent yourself. After a number of months without any luck, you then have to figure out another plan. This could involve becoming an entrepreneur.

The Covid-19 disease has changed many things. Working from home or remotely anywhere has become standard. Shopping online has been the go-to means of purchasing goods, as people are concerned about interacting with others. Brick and mortar stores, shopping malls, movie theater chains, restaurants, airlines, hotels, bars, clubs, gyms and other sectors have been hit hard. Some have been forced into bankruptcy.

There have been big winners. Zoom, Apple, Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Netflix and other tech-based companies have fared very well, making their already-rich CEOs even more fabulously wealthy.

Change brings chaos and opportunities. As the way we work and live our lives has been altered, maybe even forever, a large number of people decided to take fate into their own hands and create a new business.

In full disclosure, I've started up a business too. I previously launched my executive search firm during a horrific time, in 2001, after Sept.11. Seeing millions of people out of work and having an incredibly hard time finding a new job, it prompted me to start a second business, WeCruitr. The mission is to help equip people with the skills, knowledge and advice to succeed in their job hunt. We also bring people together to be part of an online community, so that they have access to job leads, can learn from others and have people to commiserate with.

We've seen this in many industries. As some companies are severely hampered by the disease, others are springing up to fill the void. Zoom skyrocketed in popularity and became ubiquitous, as it served the need to easily connect workers through its video platform. Telemedicine was literally a life saver for people. As we were afraid, particularly during the first number of months of the outbreak, to visit a doctor, people didn't seek out medical attention. Then, medical professionals, noticing this trend, offered virtual visits, which dramatically changed the way things were done. Peloton, the high-end stationary bicycle maker and subscriptions service, thrived as gyms remained closed and people wanted to exercise and stay healthy.

The feeling among many people is that they realize big corporations don't care that much about their employees. They'll quickly fire them to cut costs. Many workers who hold jobs are deathly afraid of losing them. Taking up a side hustle has become common to have a second stream of income and a way to dip their toes in the entrepreneurial waters. There has also been a rise in people moving into the gig economy, driving Ubers, shopping grocery items for consumers via Instacart, opening up a Shopify store and delivering packages.

Despite all of the doom and gloom, Americans are a hearty group of people who won't stay knocked down for long. We pick ourselves up, brush off the failures and move on. It used to be only searching for a new job. Now, it's become socially acceptable to say, "Life is short. No job is really safe." So, it makes sense to keep all options open and starting up a new business, according to the data, seems like an attractive option to a lot of people.

The chance to call your own shots, take a risk, not being beholden to a mercurial manager and the exhilaration of trying something new is all part of the American Dream. This shows that we still have it and won't succumb to the pandemic and will try our best to overcome it and become successful.

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The American Dream Is Still Alive And Well: U.S. Started Record-Setting Number Of Businesses During The Pandemic

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Americans are a relentless, maverick, rugged and determined bunch of people. While we like complaining and arguing with each other, Americans have this built-in sense of self-determination and grit. We refuse to give up in the face of disaster. Against all odds, we persevere and bravely forge forward, in pursuit of our dreams and goals.

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Source Reference : Of Mice and Men
Chapter : 1 /Page : 14
“Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don't belong no place. […] With us it ain't like that. We got a future."
“We could live offa the fatta the lan'.”

Using this evidence from the text, I believe they truly support my thesis. Throughout their struggle together, the duo supports each other with the dreams of having a better life. Finally settling down and having a place to call home. Instead of being lonely, the have each other, which is more than the people around them can say. Working hard to own a house with everything they ever wanted with the opportunity in knowing that if they wanted more, it was possible. Despite the time period the characters are placed in, Steinbeck reveals that even through hard times, the American Dream is still possible. After all, the characters were fully prepared to save up money and buy a house during the Great Depression.

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Title: What Is Your American Dream??
Yt Account : UCLA

When watching this clip for the first time, it changed my perspective on the American Dream. I had two ideas of what I thought it was and none of them was purely based on my own opinion. I had initially thought it was dead based on things you see in the media. Secondly, that it was all a myth to help hide people from the reality of the world. This video helped me realize that the American Dream has multiple meanings and that perhaps the traditional meaning of the phrase isn't the only option. Many consider their definition of the American Dream to be different from others, so how can something be truly dead when it can be reinvented into new ideas.

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Song: Be Somebody
Artists: Elijah Kelley ,cast from STAR (Tv show)
Lyrics that support the thesis: “That our time won’t last forever but there’s a reason god made you you. Through the hard, through the pain, lonely nights through the shame cause the start of the change is in your DNA.It’s written in your blood, blood yeah, blood yeah, your blood, before the roof on the world was started, you were gonna be somebody.”
I believe this song defines my thesis by describing how the American Dream is alive and well. Fighting to achieve your hopes and dreams, even if they don’t align with everyone else.  Every single person has their own destiny with different journeys, but at the end of the road, they are somebody.Obstacles are gonna be there to stop you, but it’s up to you to not let it stop you. If you want it, then you get out there and work for it. Earn it, so that no one can take it away from you. Even if you don’t believe you are capable, you are destined to be someone. On days that you want to quit, remember that you were put on this Earth for a purpose, and while the reward might not be instantaneous it shall be worth it.

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While I do not strive to be super rich, I do not want my family to be poor. The lavish things have never really held much appeal to me, so I wish to be comfortable. Being able to afford a nice house with a car and never worrying if I'm able to pay the bills. Not splurging on every one of my kid's desires but being able to buy them new shows when they get holes. My mother gave me a limit of two new shoes a year, but only when it contained so many holes it couldn't be worn.While it helps a child show  value and care in their possessions, I often had to put tape on the bottom of my shoes because it wasn't time to get new ones. If I can make sure my kids never have to worry about being homeless, then I know I have succeeded. However, my kids will not be spoiled.

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Choosing Happiness over the pursuit of anything else

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Choosing Happiness over the pursuit of anything else

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I've learned that sometimes in wanting something/someone so bad you change in ways that you lose yourself. Getting what you wanted doesn't always mean it makes you happy. I want a life where I have no regrets and can come home smiling and content with myself. I want a job that makes me happy with a life that makes me joyous to wake up in the morning. I have spent so much time pushing down what I wanted just to fit it, but it never made me happy. I really hope that doesn't carry into my future. If it doesn't then I would be really content with my life, as long as my other 2 dreams come true.

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From a young age I've always known that I wanted to be a mother with my children growing up in a healthy home. To be so in love with their father that they wouldn't ever have to worry about being a child of divorce. Growing up I envied the children whose parents were still together because it was something I could never have. Having no memory of my parents ever  being together and being raised by a single mother. Most children dream of their parents getting back together, but my sister and I could never do that. We knew from a young age that any love between them was because of us. I don't want my children to have to go through any of that. If I can succeed in giving them a healthy childhood, then I know I completed part of my American Dream.