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For this week I chose to listen to the podcasts “Buried in Debt, Young People Find Dreams Elusive” and “Persuading Banks to Give Homeowners a Break”. I selected them because they are a relevant in my life… Paying off student loans and becoming a homeowner. They both resonated with me about the same because I am worried about making money with my degree and worried about my future as a homeowner. I feel that in the “American Dream” it is expensive to be poor. When listening to the “Buried in Debt” podcast about school loans, hearing that over 1/3 of graduates felt that they would not be as successful as their parents whom were less educated than them really struck a cord in me. I am fortunate enough to have my student loans forgiven because of my permanent disability. I feel that the property value in Oregon has risen so fast it has pushed affordable housing off the market. I live in fear that if I lose my house it would be difficult to find or even afford an apartment in Portland. I also get the feeling that I will have to move to another state to pursue a career with my art degree. With all the new people moving into Portland the job market for creative types is very limited at this time. I feel that the “American Dream” has devolved into an illusion… Because no matter how hard I work to get myself ahead in life it constantly feels like I am about to drown. I am sick of living paycheck to paycheck and wish it was easier to change things in this country.

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For this week’s discussion, I chose the audio recordings “Grad Who Beat The Odds Asks, Why Not The Others?” and “Great Expectations, And Some Hope Of Meeting Them”. I chose these because they largely deal with the highly subjective nature of the American Dream, as well as addressing some of the common criticisms of the concept. To me, these ideas about the American Dream have always been the most resonant. My life experiences have largely told me that while the American dream absolutely exists, it exists as this largely intangible universal cultural imperative. A lot of it can change with one’s own interpretation and in many cases can be as simple as a way to encapsulate one’s hopes for the future. In a more objective sense though, the American dream certainly isn’t what it used to be. There is far less of a sense of certainty to this sentiment than its historic origins, though the American dream is an ideal that has remained an ideal in American culture ever since, albeit somewhat eroded.

As for the audio recordings, I would say the first one resonated with me a bit more, as it is about a college graduate that the American dream never quite rang true for. While I'm sure the jaded college student will be a pretty normal archetype across everyone's responses, there were some details on Juan Carlos Reyes’ story that I found pretty relatable. In particular, the process of learning a sense of growth and achievement outside of school is something I am pretty familiar with, as was Reyes’ focus on how many people he knows without college degrees. Stepping outside of college social groups, I honestly know quite a few people (many older than me as well) without any kind of college degree, and job opportunities are often scant for them. Easily one of the most common criticisms of the American dream is found here, in that while hard work and dedication can in theory get you places, money gets you there far quicker, and get you a great deal farther. The second recording, “Great Expectations, And Some Hope Of Meeting Them” is largely an example of how the American dream is typically a universal aim at the pursuit of happiness, and always in different ways. David Hwang’s character based on his father was that of an eager immigrant that in many ways is emblematic of the old American dream. However, Hwang simply defines the dream as “the ability to imagine a way that you want your life to turn out, and have a reasonable hope that you can achieve that.” I think if there was any aspect of the American dream we could include in a lesson for the students, it would be some distillation of this. The American dream is a part of our culture that everyone observes, and is bound to interpret differently in such an individualist culture. While the American dream isn’t quite what it used to be, what it remains as is a sense of hope and flexibility that means something different for everyone.

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Reshaping what it  means to be American in the dreamland 

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Reshaping what it  means to be American in the dreamland 

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I chose “Native American Comic Living the Indigenous Dream “and “My American Dream Sounds Like Ruben Blades “.The reason why I chose these audios is because their beliefs and ideas challenge what it even means to be American and they also analyze what it takes to have a dream accomplished .As the native American comedian called Charlie hill  said “many people weren’t even allow to have a dream” but his view of such was an indigenous one which is rooted in community , collectives and it’s all about supporting your own people .Historian Robin Kelley’s interpretation of the American dream is represented by Blades’ song “Buscando America”. His interpretation also shed light on the fact that this dream has been paid in blood by people who are looking to get better opportunities and a quality of life. It also brings awareness of how this beloved country has been developed and built with the bones and backs of many immigrants who are “looking for America “not only to work it but also to “find it “by fighting for the right values such as freedom, equality and justice for all .  I love that the stories show how people that are often undervalued by the American society are often succeeding by using their own uniqueness, creativity and community. I listened to  many of the audios and I concluded that both of these resonated with me because they are interconnected. They both mentioned what values and beliefs America represents such as freedom, opportunity etc. but it also brings up issues about identity, and equal opportunities .Some ideas from the audios to include in future lessons regarding American culture are: explore the concept of identity : what it means to be an “American” and how there is a constructive idea about it. Study about Diversity of cultures of Americans, give a platform to the accomplishments, books, materials made by undervalued or underrepresented writers, creators etc .

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For this weeks' discussion, I chose to listen/write about the NPR's "Immigration Law Slows A Family's March Forward" and "Buried In Debt, Young People Find Dreams Elusive". I selected this mostly because I have my own connections to them since, though I try to stay as optimistic as possible, it's hard to imagine a future at times when you have to worry about how much you have in the bank and if you can survive until payday [like mentioned in the firsts clip] and it's equally as hard to stay optimistic when it seems that in order to be part of the 'American Dream' you have to fulfill a state of requirements and even if you are born in the US, if you don't 'look' American (i.e. if you're a person-of-color) there's always a set of barriers trying to keep you away from it.

I would say that both audio clips resonated with me since I understand and am living through situation but I think that the one that could be most reflected on it the audio clip focusing on immigration as it is one of the most dividing conversations in our country at this time (though if we look back at history I guess immigration has always been one of those polarizing subjects). We [the United States] are certainly not the only country going through immigration problems and debate but I feel that there's always this tension or urge to point the blame at others, and it just so happens to be Latinos, and that creates a very hostile environment for not only undocumented people but even for US-born citizens as they have to battle everyone who questions either citizenship and is almost forced to choose on which 'side' they want to stand with. Thankfully, for us, we live in Portland where there is a more liberal atmosphere but that obviously not always been the case and just because the state is left-leaning doesn't mean all Oregonians think/feel that way.

So, all that being said, I think it's important that to teach someone about American culture, we have to make sure we don't overly romanticize the idea of the United States and are able to properly represent both the good and the bad. It would also be beneficial to show that the United States is actually full of a mixture of cultures (I guess we can refer to the infamous 'Melting Pot' idea) and how that has lead for the creation of locations dedicated to specific communities (like the mercados in California, the bodegas in New York, or the Chinatowns/K-Towns in various states) to not only serve that community but open up to others that are willing to experience and enjoy their culture as well.

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I chose Buried In Debt, Young People Find Dreams Elusive. For the reason, that I am a young person who will inevitably be buried in debt while chasing my own dreams. Holshue tells of her experience with advanced degrees, pursuing her dreams, and all the while, barely surviving. This is a common narrative with some millennial graduates. I wanted to listen to hear of her experience with this growing problem.

I then picked Right Fears Entitlements Are Killing American Dream. As someone who is far left, I wanted to challenge myself to listen to other people’s ideals. That being said, listening to it was mildly frustrating. Malcolm’s belief that government aid removes motivation to pursue the American dream is a valid argument, I guess. I think government welfare has to the potential to help the disadvantage, but I could see how some people can abuse the system.

First and foremost, the “American dream” is just a hokey, pipe dream. Sure, hard work can help you climb the social ladder. Though, there is a significant portion of the nation that doesn’t have access to this ladder. Due to lack resources, lack of opportunities, institutional racism, and the list could go on… Unfortunately, some people will never be able to have an “American dream” because they are too busy trying to simply survive.

Therefore, after listening to Right Fears Entitlements Are Killing American Dream, it had resonated with me. If people are too busy trying to just survive, any government welfare is crucial to them even having a chance to climb that social ladder. It’s not killing the American dream; it helps it be a possibility for some.

I think an interesting idea for a lesson about American/Portland Culture would be our indigenous roots, the PNW natural beauty, student debt and it’s consequences.

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Between "'Globals' Generation Focuses On Experience" and “Korean Families Chase Their Dreams in The U.S.”, I chose the latter because I’m a Korean, and there’s a lot more I want to talk about this American Dream. What the Korean goose families explain about all the current situations happening in Korea are true. Students are heavily pressured with excessive school curriculum, and when they are finished school, they directly head to after-school programs. They don’t have time to go out to play or to hangout with their friends. Students seem to get used to this intensive academic life, and it’s really abnormal. Like the audio said, the families are called goose families because parents apart each other for their kids’ education. Usually a father stays in Korea to work to support his family who stay in the U.S. They claim it’s American Dream because they could escape from rigorous school system in Korea, and the kids can learn English in the U.S. The parents believe it’s a better way for their kids, but I’m a little skeptical about it. I’m majoring in Psychology, and we’ve learned that there’s a big impact on children if one of their parents is absent during their childhood. I understand that parents always want to give what’s the best for their children, but they should consider their being away from their children has a negative influence. Many of such goose parents later complain in their interview that when their children grow, they less and less talk to their parents because of the language gap because children feel that English is much more comfortable. Who could blame for such issue? Some children may be forced to move to America as their parents always expect them to be the best. I say it’s greed and for the children, the American Dream can turn into the American Nightmare.

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I listened to the following audios: My American Dream Sounds Like the Jackson 5 and Persuading Banks to Give Homeowners a Break. I selected these two audios because they express the American Dream in two extreme situations. The Jacksons had enormous and exceptional talent—something that the majority of us don’t have. Michael Jackson was a talented child who tapped into an opportunity that made his dream. The other piece shows that the majority of Americans are struggling to achieve the American Dream.  For many in the larger population, even owning a home is a dream. Families often commit to long term mortgage payments.  Loss of a job or an expected incident can very quickly throw the dream off track. Lenders are quick to levy penalties or foreclose on the homes when monthly payments are missed.The homeowner’s piece resonates more with me because it is the experience of the wider population.  It demonstrates that achieving the American Dream can be a real struggle.  It is not attainable by everyone. The common lesson about the American Dream and Portland culture in these pieces is that to own home, you have to borrow money from a mortgage lender.  In many cases the borrower is tied up for thirty years of monthly payments. If the borrower does not have the means to pay the loan off early, thirty years of interest charges will result in doubling the original purchase price of the home. The other lesson is that if you possess exceptional talent that can be exploited by entertainment agencies, you are likely to achieve the American Dream much faster. The cultural lesson is that ambition, opportunity and talent help propel you to achieve the American Dream. Some are still striving to achieve the dream, while others have already achieved it.  For those who do achieve the dream there is the issue of how to hold onto it before it tumbles back down on them, as we have seen with many celebrities. Either way it is a struggle. The other cultural lesson is that a part of the American way is to own a home. It is a dream for most families—something they strive very hard to achieve. Over time an individual is able to build equity in a home that can be used as collateral for other purchases—or for other important purposes such as paying for children’s education. Owning a home also gives a person a better opportunity to get more loans.   In some ways a home is like a currency. It is linked to the market place which means its value might go up or down depending on the economic situation.  People around the world continue to be inspired by the American Dream and want to come to America.  They see it as a land of great opportunity and want to experience it for themselves. Thousands endanger their lives to come to the U.S. to escape political, religious and criminal cartel persecution.  The people already living the American Dream, those still striving to achieve it, and those who come from far away in hopes of achieving new opportunities—all believe in the American Dream.      

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I listened to the following audios: My American Dream Sounds Like the Jackson 5 and Persuading Banks to Give Homeowners a Break. I selected these two audios because they express the American Dream in two extreme situations. The Jacksons had enormous and exceptional talent—something that the majority of us don’t have. Michael Jackson was a talented child who tapped into an opportunity that made his dream. The other piece shows that the majority of Americans are struggling to achieve the American Dream.  For many in the larger population, even owning a home is a dream. Families often commit to long term mortgage payments.  Loss of a job or an expected incident can very quickly throw the dream off track. Lenders are quick to levy penalties or foreclose on the homes when monthly payments are missed.The homeowner’s piece resonates more with me because it is the experience of the wider population.  It demonstrates that achieving the American Dream can be a real struggle.  It is not attainable by everyone. The common lesson about the American Dream and Portland culture in these pieces is that to own home, you have to borrow money from a mortgage lender.  In many cases the borrower is tied up for thirty years of monthly payments. If the borrower does not have the means to pay the loan off early, thirty years of interest charges will result in doubling the original purchase price of the home. The other lesson is that if you possess exceptional talent that can be exploited by entertainment agencies, you are likely to achieve the American Dream much faster. The cultural lesson is that ambition, opportunity and talent help propel you to achieve the American Dream. Some are still striving to achieve the dream, while others have already achieved it.  For those who do achieve the dream there is the issue of how to hold onto it before it tumbles back down on them, as we have seen with many celebrities. Either way it is a struggle. The other cultural lesson is that a part of the American way is to own a home. It is a dream for most families—something they strive very hard to achieve. Over time an individual is able to build equity in a home that can be used as collateral for other purchases—or for other important purposes such as paying for children’s education. Owning a home also gives a person a better opportunity to get more loans.   In some ways a home is like a currency. It is linked to the market place which means its value might go up or down depending on the economic situation.  People around the world continue to be inspired by the American Dream and want to come to America.  They see it as a land of great opportunity and want to experience it for themselves. Thousands endanger their lives to come to the U.S. to escape political, religious and criminal cartel persecution.  The people already living the American Dream, those still striving to achieve it, and those who come from far away in hopes of achieving new opportunities—all believe in the American Dream.      

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1. Marco Rubio Draws On Family To Keep Him Grounded
2. Hollywood Dreams Of Wealth, Youth And Beauty

Which audios did you listen to and why did you select them?

I  listened to the Marco Rubio interview and the audio about the American dream in relation to how Hollywood portrays it. I chose the Marco Rubio interview because of the focus on immigration and young immigrants being provided an education in the states. My father was an immigrant from Jamaica and the discussion on education for immigrant children was a topic that my father experienced when he was becoming a citizen of the states. The audio recording about the American dream presented by Hollywood was especially interesting to me because of my degree being focused in film history.

Did one resonate more with you? Which and why?

I think the Hollywood recording resonated with me a little more because of its close relation to my film studies at PSU. In a majority of my classes we study film theory and its impact in both a domestic and international market. The audio was especially interesting in the section where it talked about how Hollywood manufactures optimism through their portrayal of beauty and wealth. I think it’s always been an issue in Hollywood when directors choose certain people to portray characters who live normal everyday lives and who we as the audience, are supposed to relate to. Its this sort of behavior that fosters the idea that you must look a certain way in order to make it in America.

What ideas did you get from the audios that you believe could be included in a lesson about American/Portland Culture?

I think a key take away from both audio recordings that could be included in lessons about American Culture is how this culture is represented in both the media and Hollywood. I think developing a course around the impact that media has on culture and how immigrants are portrayed in Hollywood films could provide insight into some of the key issues we face today. I think focusing on specific media outlets that portray immigration in a negative light could provide material for an impact study of viewers and their understanding of the immigration problems we face today. There could also be a lesson that involves analyzing popular Hollywood films and the way they portray American culture.

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I chose Buried in Debt, Young People Find Dreams Elusive I selected this one because I find it to be quite relevant to a lot of the ways I think about people my age and the ways we are navigating the world compared to our parents and other generations. This definitely resonated with me for the above reasons and the ways that we approach money and debt. I think what I could gather from this audio that could be included in lesson plans for kids is definitely relating to money and the ways kids can relate to it in a postive way. Recently while in my hometown visiting I heard an ad on the radio that involved a bank teaching kids about money and how to save, and it made me think about the ways that I never learned about money as a kid or in school and just how important it is in life to know how important money is to our current social climate and how to approach debt while going to school. I also listened to Great Expectations,and Some Hope of Meeting Them. I found this one quite interesting because unlike the former it had a bit of a more immersive experience talked about. I enjoyed listing to the creative side of the question of the american dream and being a playwright. The immersion of art as a speaking point of the construct of the “american dream” is something that I find so important in terms of art created in our current world. I think it’s so important for minorities to talk and create art that speaks to the ways in which our capitalist society behaves within their experience in america. Out of these podcasts both really resonated with me, more individually the first one, Buried in Debt, because like other people have said it really speaks to me and the people I am surrounded by.

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I listened to Buried In Debt, Young People Find Dreams Elusive
and 'Globals' Generation Focuses On Experience because they felt like two articles that I would be able to relate to based on my generation. Starting with the debt audio, I thought it was really interesting to hear how trapped and stuck the woman felt because of her 100k+ debt scenario. I understand that these younger generations are finding themselves in situations where they have to borrow money to survive, but I am curious about the path that leads many of these people to such serious debt. Growing up without much money I knew that going to an in state college is what would be the most practical option expenses wise, and as a result I had to take much smaller loans out than I would have if I went out of state. I recognize that I wasn't raised in a family, or in a community that made it seem like going to a prestigious college was where I would find value, which I'm lucky for. I wonder if social pressure leads many of these people into debt. It is interesting to think about the American dream and to contrast that concept with the way to achieve the American dream is to have a prestigious college education, a big house, nice car, etc - the American dream then becomes closely tied to debt.
With the audio clip about the generation of 'globals', I realized that I am just used to peers engaging with that lifestyle without having thought about them any different than past generations. Almost all of my friends have spent time abroad either teaching, studying, or doing personal travel, and it certainly seems like a very important aspect of young adulthood in my community, and to those in my generation around the US. I think more and more people feel the desire to contribute to communities outside their immediate community. It seems like there is a lot of curiosity and generosity in many of these people, and they have a drive to put themselves in new and uncomfortable environments.
I think it would be interesting to explore the way the American dream changes from decade to decade, and where those changes are influenced from.

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First I listened to “Korean Families Chase Their Dreams in the U.S.” I chose this audio because I am highly interested in Korean culture and have recently been looking into moving over there for a while (to teach English). It was interesting to hear how much more rigorous their academic environment is than ours, although this seems to be the case with many countries around the world. The audio said that Korean schools are all about bookwork and memorization, leaving no room for creativity or individual thought. Many Korean families thus come to America to give their kids a happier, less stressful life. I admired that the families were able to acknowledge what they determined to be a flaw in their education system, which ultimately shows that they are willing to be critical of some of their cultural norms, something that is not an easy thing to do. This audio helped me think about the culture surrounding education in America, which also ties into cultural beliefs about money and jobs and work ethic. I want to know more about why our K-12 system seems so inferior or "easy" compared to the educational standards of other countries. I can't decide if it's a good thing (as the Koreans
seemingly believe) or something we should be concerned about.

I also listened to “Hollywood Dreams of Wealth, Youth and Beauty”. I chose this audio because I am really fascinated in how the media is able to shape our perception of the world around us. This audio resonated with me in a personal way, as I think it would with almost anybody who has seen a Hollywood film. The audio talked about how Hollywood has, for a very long time, painted the picture of the “American Dream” to not only those within the states, but to people all over the world. I have personally heard people from other countries talk about “the movies”. I’ve even had people ask me if America is “really like the movies”. The audio brought up a good point about the difference between allusion and reality - even when things “look” really great, there is often much more to the story than what the masses are shown in blockbuster movies. Hollywood films have been extraordinarily influential and powerful in shaping this concept of the “American Dream”, notably creating an image that is representative of what the rich, powerful, and attractive movie makers of Hollywood see through their eyes. Although a lot of good comes out of these films and the stories that are told, they also have historically fueled ignorance, lack of self-esteem, and frustration. You cannot have a modern day lesson about American culture without the power of the media, as it continues to influence the ways that we see ourselves and others in this country and all around the world.

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For my assignment I listened to “A Baseball School For Big League Dreamers” and “Rebirth: From Millionaire To Prisoner To Pastor.” I chose both of these because I was raised not only in a Christian home, but some of our family have enjoyed baseball games.

When I was a child, I played baseball for a couple years before stopping, but my youngest brother played for years. Our family also has gone to major and minor league games in the past and still do whenever we get the chance, despite me not being much of a fan anymore. The way those kids chase their dreams like that is pretty inspiring. I wish I had found my passion that early in life like they seem to have.

The Millionaire to Pastor story resonated with me because it sounded so similar to what many other Americans have gone through. It’s a very typical story of winning it all, then losing it all, then gaining it back or gaining something just as good. And the turning to religion is something that seems to happen a lot for people in situations like this.

I’m not sure which one I resonated with more, because I could both relate to the material. If I had to choose, I would say the Baseball story resonated with me more because these kids already have a passion at such a young age. It took me until my mid-twenties before I had a goal in mind, which is what I’ve been working on ever since.

If anything can be learned from those two audio files, its that the American Dream can come in many different ways. Everyone wants something in life, and with patience, hard work and perseverance dreams can be attained. From owning your own business to helping others by running a charity, and everything in between.

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Buried In Debt, Young People Find Dreams Elusive

Native American Comic Living ‘The Indigenous Dream’.

I listened to Buried in Debt because it really resonated with how I feel about my own future and fear of paying off student loans for years to come. As a student who has intentions to apply to a CNM program, I am looking at another large chunk of loans that will add to my already large sum. I understand the concept that eventually I will have a job that pays really well and I can pay off those loans, but it’s incredibly daunting. The individual in this audio had a combined twenty loans, totaling $140,000. Her debt is $1,100 per month for student loans. Part of the American dream is to work hard and have an enjoyable life. But, because of student loans, young students feel like they will never be as successful as their parents. I resonated to this one much more because I am a white American girl who is following in the footsteps of her parents, listening to their opinions about what a successful individual does. But, in reality, my education is far more expensive than theirs ever was.

The comic stance on Indiginous American dream showed me the strength of making your diversity and at times, a point of oppression, a means to succeed and share strengths. I feel like this recording really relates to the classic Americana...work hard and reap the rewards. But, this dream wasn’t a financial burden as we see in Buried in Debt.

The American Dream is being able to become whatever you want. But, of course it takes hard work, courage, and a little luck.

I would highlight the differences in the American Dream. America is a country of diversity and many individuals have dreams that are much different than others. I believe this is because America is a country where people believe that they can be themselves. And in that, they have the ability to then create whatever dream they desire and they feel almost self-righteous in their ability to have it. I also would include that the ideal American Dream has really changed over the years, especially as our economy has changed and the morals of our nation is increasingly more profit driven.

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I listened to “Buried in Debt, Young People Find Dreams Elusive” and “Great expectations, And Some Hope Of Meeting Them”. I chose these as like many of my fellow students I will also pile debts and we have dreams jobs. I can also relate to having a goal to do better than my parents who immigrated here and wanting a better future.The video that resonated with me more was the Expectations article where David Hwang defines the America dream as an ability to imagine a goal and having an expectation of reaching it. I find that the American dream is something that can give many people hope for a better future, although many families especially immigrant families don't realize how hard it can be. As I want to become a dentist but i will have to accumulate debt to achieve my goal. I believe it is an issue with the notion that in America, anything is possible. That people get too caught up in their dream they fail to realize how difficult the path to success is. America isn't perfect and there are many issues that families face day to day making their dreams more unobtainable. But then again many countries where these immigrant families flee from are in worse condition. I find that I resonate more with the immigrant viewing of the American Dream, as I was raised in an immigrant household.

I always found it interesting how American culture is very different than many other cultures in that American culture is a melting pot of all these different cultures. Of course this is true everywhere you go as many different ethnicities live is vastly different places then where their from. But the American dream has a ring to it, because America is held as a country where you can achieve your dreams. I believe that it is important to outline how important this is to many immigrant families who come here to achieve that dream. The America dream is something everyone can experience because fundamentally it's a hope for a better future.