What Does it Mean to be an American? by Joshua Sawyer

"Love's gonna get you killed but pride's gonna be the death of you, and you and me -- Sick venom in Men and women overcome with pride a perfect world is never perfect only filled with lies-"

joshuasawyer — 2024-05-29 17:35:04 UTC

Kendrick's intro melody and the beginnings of his seventh verse in the song "Pride" show the imminent danger brought by the pursuit of the American Dream. He discusses the driving force Americans have to reach a perfect world that will never be achievable without hidden corruption and lies. This force he writes about is pride. America has an overwhelming sense of pride in its "guaranteed" American Dream lifestyle. But, as he says in the song, this pride only leads to the death of you. A prime example of this is Jay Gatsby and Myrtle Wilson. Each character, driven by their intense pride for the American Dream, was killed ruthlessly.

"What you want, you? A house or a car? Forty acres and a mule, a piano, a guitar? Anythin', see, my name is Uncle Sam, I'm your dog..."

joshuasawyer — 2024-05-29 17:56:31 UTC

At the beginning of Kendrick's verse, he describes some of the common "wants" that are associated with the American Dream, but he does it from Uncle Sam's perspective. The writing in this verse is almost hypnotic as if Uncle Sam is trying to hypnotize Americans so that they hold on to their Dream, despite the consequences. Uncle Sam (America/The American Dream), also represents "your dog" in the song. This is because a person's dog is a close and meaningful part of their lives. Lamar is trying to show that we keep the American Dream too close to the important things in life and that we value its progression more than other important things in our lives.

Bonus:

In Lamar's list of things people may want in order to satisfy the American Dream, he includes "Forty acres and a mule". This refers to the Special Field Order No. 15 of 1865. It states that some slave families after they are freed, will be granted Forty acres and a mule as a "head start" in their American journey. Lamar includes this detail to show the specific struggles that African Americans face in America regarding the American Dream.

"If your motives (while "Faking it 'till you make it) are to prove your worth to other people, however, your efforts won't be successful, and research shows that this approach actually backfires".

joshuasawyer — 2024-05-31 14:13:25 UTC

Some Americans' motives behind achieving the American Dream are the approval of other Americans. This motive, paired with "Faking it till you make it", shows how so many Americans have experienced the backfire on their dreams that Morin speaks of in her article. Her concept helps us to understand the massive influx of unsuccessful attempts at achieving the American Dream, and how the journey of obtaining approval from others can leave you worse than you were before.

"Incarceration, for me, was defined by deprivation - not just deprivation of freedom, opportunity, and safety, but deprivation of the senses."

joshuasawyer — 2024-06-03 18:05:20 UTC

Johnny Perez's quote reflects his experience of being incarcerated. His description, in my eyes, connects to how Americans describe their world while not imprisoned. In other words, to be an American is to be blinded by your aspirations and privileges. In prison, Perez describes a whole list of deprivations. There are no physical colors, no freedom, no safety, and so on. Americans, who live in a world where there are little to no deprivations, describe their world the same way as his. The only plausible explanation for these descriptions is that Americans are blinded by what could become of their lives. They are so influenced by the promises of the American Dream that they cannot appreciate the basic privileges they possess. One example of a person who was not influenced by these promises is Chris McCandless from Into the Wild. He left the drama of the American Dream behind and disappeared into the Alaskan Bush so that he could truly appreciate the little things in life. Out there, he was unblinded from his aspirations and experienced an environment with no deprivations.

"The root of this prejudice lies deep in our histories, but its impact is felt every day. It is not women and girls alone who suffer. It damages all of us".

joshuasawyer — 2024-06-04 13:20:29 UTC

This quote reflects what it means to be an American because it highlights how American's refuse to change the ways of their countries past time, despite the negative affects. An example of this is within the plot of Colson Whitehead's The Nickel Boys. Despite its abusive nature and negative affects on the community, Nickel Academy has been a prominent correctional school for decades. As Americans, we are too stubborn to change the past even if it hurts us severely.

"Maybe it just sags like a heavy load (a dream deferred). Or does it explode?"

joshuasawyer — 2024-06-04 13:31:15 UTC

Hughes poem provides a greater understanding of the American Dream, and why Americans have such a hard time deferring this dream. His description of a dream deferred sagging like a heavy load provides a meaningful insight on what it's like for American's to have an unsuccessful dream, and how that unsuccessful dream holds them back from moving on in their lives. This visual helps to explain the why the American Dream is so important to most Americans.

“At forty-four, Mollie could finally spend her money as she pleased, and was recognized as a full-fledged American citizen.”

joshuasawyer — 2024-06-04 13:58:41 UTC

This quote shows the irony between the people who achieve the American Dream and the ones who don't. Some would consider Molly Burkhart as someone who achieved the American Dream. After all, as the quote says, she can finally spend all of her riches and she is recognized as a real person now. For most, that satisfies the Dream. But, what is not shown in this quote is the fact that Molly has lost her whole family in the process. This forms an irony between what American Dream aspire-rs see vs. what the person who is living that Dream sees. On the surface, Molly seems to have succeeded in life because she has achieved part of the American Dream. But really, that journey has practically ruined her life.

“To me, the American Dream is being able to follow your own personal calling. To be able to do what you want to do is incredible freedom.”

joshuasawyer — 2024-06-04 14:08:59 UTC

Lin's quote shows the true definition of the American Dream (in my opinion). I think Americans these days are too focused on obtaining big houses and fancy cars. They need to realize that America is the land of opportunity. Almost anyone can do almost anything if they work hard enough. Pursuing what you want to do in life, and being happy with where your at is extremely valuable in today's daily life. I think this mindset reflects the definition of a true American.

“For many, the American dream has become a nightmare.”

joshuasawyer — 2024-06-04 14:19:44 UTC

Sander's quote shows a frequent problem that occurs for millions of Americans each year. They become too reliant on their image of the American Dream, and it becomes a nightmare. I think this idea represents what it means to be an American because it shows the tendency Americans have to be hyperfocused on one aspect of their lives. When they hyperfocus on things like the American Dream, everything else in their lives (which is often extremely important), becomes second to that dream. This can cause everything in their lives to crumble along with their hyperfixed American Dream which they have worked so hard to achieve.

“The faith that anyone could move from rags to riches – with enough guts and gumption, hard work and nose to the grindstone – was once at the core of the American Dream.”

joshuasawyer — 2024-06-04 17:18:30 UTC

This quote from Reich underlines the idea that hard work used to be the center of the American Dream. Key words, used to be. I think one of the reasons why Americans are becoming less and less successful when it comes to reaching the American Dream is because they are less hardworking. With the progression of American technology, life has become easier. With an easier life, everyone works less hard. Without hard work, there is little to no chance of becoming extremely successful. Overall, this quote tells us that as Americans, we are set back in the long run by the everyday advancements that have made our country so successful.