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In the epilogue of the "Distance Between Us" Reyna states "I became the first person in my family to graduate from college" (Grande 319). To her this is a huge accomplishment because of where she came from. Throughout her story, Reyna goes through tons emotions. She suffers in many ways because of her parents. First, her father abused her which affected her mentally. Next, she was abandoned from her mother which cause her to become depressed. Reyna's story is a huge example that the American Dream is still alive. Despite all of the challenges she faced she never gave up on herself. At the end of the book, she becomes the only one out of her family to accomplish her goals.

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https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/05/opinion/american-dream.html?smid=url-share

This article is about why the American Dream is alive and well. The author is a political scientist that thought opportunities to achieve material success and social mobility were diminishing. However, many people believe they are living it. When Americans were asked what makes the American dream a reality, they did not select as essential factors becoming wealthy, owning a home or having a successful career. Instead, 85 percent indicated that “to have freedom of choice in how to live” was essential to achieving the American dream. In addition, 83 percent indicated that “a good family life” was essential. Also, only 16 percent said that to achieve the American dream, they believed it was essential to “become wealthy.” This supports that the American Dream is alive and well because many people don't see the American Dream as being wealthy, they see it as having a good family life and being happy.

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The American dream: Is it still alive? | IN 60 SECONDS

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This video clip is about whether the American Dream is still alive or not. It explains that traditionally, the dream has been associated with a successful career, wealth, and home ownership. It also states that some people believe that the dream is declining. However, the results of the AEI Survey on Community and Society suggests that significantly more people believe that the freedom to live their lives as they choose, and the ability to have fulfilling family lives are more essential to the dream than homeownership, wealth, and having a better quality of life than their parents. 8 in 10 Americans believe that they are living the dream or are on their way to achieving it, and only 16% of people say that becoming wealthy is essential to the American Dream. This clip supports my thesis statement because the clip says that 80% of Americans believe that they are living the dream or on there way to achieving it which suggests that the American Dream is alive and well.

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0:00 / 1:18•Watch full video

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The American dream: Is it still alive? | IN 60 SECONDS

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Livin’ on a prayer is a song that was released in 1986. It is about the two main characters “Tommy” and “Gina” who are a real-life couple. Tommy is having a hard time earning enough to survive though he is supported by his partner, Gina. She is a low-paid worker however, and it isn’t enough to support them both. However, Gina has a hopeful outlook that the two of them together will make it. And “living on a prayer’ is a statement that she makes in the song that in the end everything will work out. One lyric from the song that supports my thesis is “whoa, we’re half-way there.” This shows that they believe in the American Dream and are going to keep trying to make their dream come true. Another lyric that supports my thesis is “whoa, livin’ on a prayer.” This shows that they are living by faith. They have faith in the American Dream and if they work hard enough they will make it one day. This song defends my thesis because the couple is going through a hard time in life, struggling to earn enough money to support themselves. However, they are very hopeful and have a lot of faith in the American Dream that they will make it.

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In this interview I interviewed my mom. I asked her many questions about the American Dream and what she thought about it. To her, she defines the American Dream to have the freedom to do what you want. Her American Dream is to own a home, to have a good career, and to be well off. When she grew up she wanted to be a counselor because she loved the idea of helping kids in need. In addition, she said that her mom influenced her American Dream and that her mom always told her “I have to study, go to school, and get a job.” I also asked her if the American Dream is still realistic to achieve and she said “Absolutely. If you fall short keep trying until you reach your goal.” A piece of advice for me regarding my dreams is to listen to your parents. If you listen to your parents you will always be well off.

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Paying back my parents for everything they have done for me is part of my American Dream because they have done so much for me and I want to show them that I appreciate it. I think it is important because hopefully it will pay off and be worth it at the end.

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A stable job is part of my American Dream because I think it is important to make a good amount of money when I'm older because everything is so expensive. Having a stable income will give me comfort so I don't have to worry about money.

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A house is important to me as part of my American Dream because it will keep my family safe. In addition, I think it will be a big accomplishment for me because it is a big purchase.

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To me, the American Dream means having a stable job when I'm older, owning a house to live in, and being able to pay back my parents for everything they have done for me. The American Dream can also be defined as no matter where you were born or what your status is, you can attain your own version of success. It offers the freedom to make both the large and small decisions that affect one’s life. It also offers the freedom to aspire to bigger and better things and the possibility of achieving them. Many people have a different perspective of the American Dream such as having freedom, equal opportunity, and rights to life, liberty, and property. It is possible to achieve the American Dream through hard work, sacrifice, and risk-taking.