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New York Times : The American Dream is Alive and Well 

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New York Times : The American Dream is Alive and Well 

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In the article "The American Dream is Alive and Well" by Samuel J. Abrams, a political scientist, is about the phrase "The American Dream" and what people mean when they say they are living in it. Abrams explains the social struggle and the opportunities to achieve success through hard work, which many people have assumed to be the main idea of the American Dream, seem to be diminishing. He goes on to explain that American don't seem to think as the American Dream as wealth or owning a home or even having a successful career. Instead, a high percent of people felt that the American Dream was the opportunity of freedom and freedom of choice in "how to live". In addition to that, people also stated that a "good family life" was also part of their American Dream while a low percent of people felt that it was more of being successful and being wealthy. This backs up my thesis as well as proving that the American Dream is whatever dream you choose to achieve with hard work and perseverance. Of course choosing to be successful for wealth and successful careers is great, but it's also just as important to follow your own dreams and push for success within them.

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Reyna Grande's well-known book, "The Distance Between", is a memoir based on her life before and after coming to the United States. Her story begins in her hometown, Iguala Guerro, where she had two sibilings and lived in extreme poverty. She had her mother but never had great memory of her father due to him leaving to El Otro Lado to build a better life for himself and his family, Reyna, Mago, Carlos and her mother. After a few years, Reyna's mother left to El Otro Lado to help build a life with her husband as well as promising Reyna that she will be back within a certain amount of time. Throughout the time her parents were in the U.S, Reyna and her siblings were left with their abuela where they were heavily abused everyday. By the end of the book Reyna had many traumatizing experiences but managed to work hard and get through college to become a famous book writer. Her story shows the difficulties and tribulations throughout her life that brought her where she is today. With all the experiences and poverty she went through, it only pushed her to work harder and fight for success which backs up my thesis that the American Dream is alive and well.

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The Pursuit of Happyness is a movie inspired by the true story of Chris Gardner, a San Francisco salesman who is struggling to find a future for not only himself but his 5 year old son. Throughout the movie, Gardner never failed to keep putting in effort every day to obtain happiness. After unsuccessfully selling medical devices, Gardner and his son become homeless, left with only a stockbroker internship to hopefully change his luck. After 6 months of no pay check and no roof under their head every night, Chris Gardner is officially offered the stockbroker job he has worked so hard for and is shown to be extremely happy at the end of the clip above. It's obvious that Gardner was an American Dreamer who took a gamble on a big opportunity given to him. Although this Dream took awhile to achieve, The American Dream always involves hard-work, sacrifice and taking opportunities. This back up my thesis perfectly showing the aspect of taking big shots and gambling opportunities to make a living and become happier in the end.

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The Pursuit of Happyness (8/8) Movie CLIP - Final Scene: Chris is Hired (2006) HD

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Michael Jackson's song "Man in the Mirror" provides many pieces of evidence that support that the American Dream is alive and well. The song is about the desire to change. It shares the idea of if you wait on the world to change, you'll get nothing. Some of the key details that Jackson provides in the song is that in order to achieve a better world around you, you must first look at yourself and change the negative about yourself. It gives a sense of responsibility for our mistakes or judgment and to reveal self-reflection. In the song Jackson states, “ ‘Cause they got nowhere to go Thats why I want you to know I’m starting with the man in the mirror”. Jackson states that he witnesses those who don’t have much and strives to make change but first, he must change himself from within before being able to create and see change in the world around him. Another line of lyrics Jackson sings is, "“I’ve been a victim of a selfish kind of love It’s time I realize that there are some with no home”. Jackson reveals that he seems to feel almost guilty for not paying attention to those who struggle to achieve success. This shows that some have a difficult time trying to find their dream but never fail to keep pushing for it. Throughout the song it is shown that Jackson realizes that others around him struggle to fight for their american dream and chooses to try and help by changing himself and his views on the world. This supports my thesis by proving that although people struggle to achieve their american dream, they don't give up and continue to strive for success with the support of others that know there can be struggles within reaching the american dream.

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Antionette Salazar is my young grandmother who is 61 years old and is currently a workers compensation claims adjuster. My Grandma's understanding, or definition, of the American Dream is to live a happy and fulfilling life. When she was younger, she had planned to become a registered nurse, but she did have some tribulations that led her to changing routes. She departed from her hopes and dreams of becoming a registered nurse because of having her first child at a very young age. This led her to having to make the choice between fully committing to a nursing program or caring and being there for her child, in which both require 100% commitment. My grandmother knew that caring for her child came first and being able to go to nursing school at the same time was just not realistic for her, but this doesn't mean she didn't keep working hard for success. With the influence of her grandmother and mother on her American Dream, throughout her childhood they never failed to remind her to be the very best person she can be, to take responsibility for her actions and to always continue to strive for more. As her life was tough, she never failed to try her best to remember what she was taught and think back on the good she's done and to make a good job of it. My grandma believes that the American Dream is realistic to achieve if you are very focused and have a lot of family supporting your dream. If one falls short of their dream, "such as myself", you must keep moving forward and be the best you can be at all costs. Falling short does not make you a failure, you just refocus. As of now my grandmothers dream is that her kids and grandchildren are healthy and living their best lives. To wrap up the interview, she left me advice that will forever resonate with me and my dreams, that I would like to share.. "Always be the best person that you can be, do great things and be kind and compassionate. I will always be here for you, no matter what and i hope that you know that you can depend on me, always and forever...I love you so much and never forget that".

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My American Dream is to graduate from college. I want to leave college with a major in speech and communications and a degree in speech pathology for children. Working with children would be a privilege, being able to work and care for them will bring me joy. With being a speech pathologist, I will not only be able to work with children but it will also support me financially with any future endeavors I choose to fulfill.

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The American Dream is a chance for opportunity and equality for those here in America. The American Dream allows achievement and success, but only if you always work hard for it. The concept of the "American Dream" was founded by James Truslow Adams, in 1931. Adams definition of this dream was "a dream of a social order in which each man and each women shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position". Adams also mentioned that he wanted to publish a book on the American Dream and would include, "a dream of better, richer and happier life for citizens of every rank".  My understanding of the American Dream is that it is an opportunity for anyone to be happier, have success, and live a fulfilling life with the capability of achieving any goals you have. This allows me to believe that the American Dream is most definitely alive and well. Yes, there can be downfalls but it's important to keep a motivated mindset to keep pushing for success. Although it has become more difficult over the years, it's achievable with the right amount of hard work and passion, as well as looking out for ANY opportunities that come your way.

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Another American Dream of mine is to get married. I would love to get married and build a life with my soulmate. I want to be able to share life, make lifelong memories, go on adventures with my significant other and most importantly keep God number 1 in our marriage.

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My last American Dream is to buy a house with my husband and grow a family. Nowadays, it's more difficult to buy a home due to inflation therefore making it a dream of mine to work hard to find an affordable and family friendly home with my husband. I would love to have two kids to raise and a pet cat(s).