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Deana Perritt (my mom) does not believe the American Dream is alive and well. She believes it could be realistic but not easy to achieve. Her idea of the American dream is the freedom to have your own beliefs and to make your own choices. Her American Dream is affordable housing. She states that for the most part her hopes and dreams have come true but the absence of affordable housing has halted some of these dreams. In her opinion she does not believe America is a land of opportunity anymore, there are too many laws and rules being put against certain groups of people. Her advice to me is to be kind always no matter the person, don't give up and work hard to make your "American Dream" come true.

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In the epilogue of The Distance Between us, the first paragraph says, "In June of 1999, I became the first person in my family to graduate from college. At UCSC I earned my BA in creative writing and in film and video and graduated with college honors, honors in the major, and Phi Beta Kappa. My family was there to celebrate thatt accomplishment with me: Mago, Victor, and their two children; Carlos, his wife, and their daughter; my mother and my brother Leonardo; Betty, her boyfriend Omar, and their son--and my father." Reyna came from basically nothing in Mexico, with no mother or father figures there for her. After her father moved them to the United States, she worked so hard from the bottom up and got a scholarship to an amazing school. She is now a writer and loves what she does and has her family there to support and be there with her.

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In this article, they asked people around the country in all different types of cities, rural, urban, or exurban, what makes the American Dream a reality. To their surprise the majority of people did not answer with the typical "to be wealthy" answer. Instead, they found most people said "to have the freedom of choice in how to live", and "a good family life" was essential. That being said they had already achieved their American Dreams, making this belief of community and individuality rather than a material success dream to be alive and well.

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Opinion | The American Dream Is Alive and Well (Published 2019)

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Most people in this country say that they are living it — but what they mean by the phrase might surprise you.

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The man in this video believes the American Dream is alive and well. He goes to say that everyone should have a dream even if you have to work harder than others. Everyone should have a dream and take every opportunity they get to reach it. This is very inspiring, some people do not have the motivation they need to begin working towards their dreams. This man obviously has some life experience and knows how to get things done. This is a reminder to never give up working towards that bigger goal in life, your American Dream.

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This poem implies that from nothing, you can still prosper and grow. The rose grew against all the odds of nature, no one believed it could. That being said even if you have to start from the bottom, you can work your hardest and become what you've always wanted. You can grow against all odds, when no one believes you can do it. Be like the rose, work hard, do better than you did yesterday, don't listen to the people who don't believe you can do it.

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The first part of my American dream is to graduate from Alta Loma with my friends and get into a good 4-year university like UC San Diego. There I would study Marine biology at their Oceanography college. I want to make many friends and have true college experiences, but also focus on my work.

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I have always loved the ocean, It makes me feel good. After college I want to work for an institution either helping marine animals or go out and research/record data about different species in the ocean. I will be saving money while doing this and maybe have my own apartment by the beach.

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By Google "The American Dream" is the idea that every citizen has an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work and determination. This phrase was first coined in James Truslow Adam's book, The Epic of America, in 1931. I believe the American dream is being able to say you are comfortable in life. You can buy what you need to support yourself. You can have the family and life you want for yourself. But, this does not come easy in just the snap of a finger. You have to work to achieve these comforts in life, have the motivation to always do better than yesterday, no slacking.

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While still working I want to move up the coast towards the bay area, around Monterey Bay. Being able to afford a house up there is my ideal American Dream. Getting married and having kids is also a part of that.