THE AMERICAN DREAM

FREEDOM

EQUALITY

INDIVIDUALISM

MOBILITY

AMERICAN DREAM Land of Opportunity Rags to Riches—Anyone can become rich, famous, powerful. Jobs and education available to all who want them. Meritocracy (rewards) = skill + effort. Through hard work, courage and determination one can achieve prosperity. Americans can live better than their parents did. Emma Lazarus--"Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore, Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

The American Dream is the dream of a land where all people can succeed through hard work. It is also an idea that suggests that all people have the potential to live happy, successful lives.

Originally, the focus was on hard work and religious freedom Originally, the focus was on hard work and religious freedom. Today, however, the focus seems to be on material prosperity and fame. The American Dream is deeply rooted in American society. Several critics have pointed out that this dream is not attainable to all because of the inequality rooted in class, race and ethnic origin.

The phrase the American Dream came into the American vocabulary starting in 1867 when writer, Horatio Alger came out with his book “Ragged Dick.” It was a rags-to-riches tale of a poor orphan boy in New York City who saves his pennies, works hard and eventually becomes rich. It became the model that through honesty, hard work and strong determination, the American Dream was available to anyone willing to make the journey.

Dream Makers If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hour. - Henry David Thoreau

Arnold was born to a cop and housewife in Austria, later emigrated to the U.S. speaking no english He went to community college and started acting. Now he is a multi-millionaire, married into one of the most elite families in America—the Kennedys, and is governor of CA. He has said “In this country, it doesn't make any difference where you were born. It doesn't make any difference who your parents were. It doesn't make any difference if, like me, you couldn't even speak English until you were in your twenties.”

Ralph Lauren—maker of polo; son of russian immigrants who became a fashion mogul billionaire, started working in his teens to buy fashionable clothing.

Oprah—raised by her grandmother in rural poor mississippi

Benjamin Franklin—a founding father of the U. S Benjamin Franklin—a founding father of the U.S. famous for his witicisms and for discovering electricity using a kite. He was born the son of a candle maker (one of 17 children) and came to stand before kings and presidents. He is also on our $100 bill.

Finally—Tei Fu Chen is a Taiwanese immigrant who went from living in his car to building a billion-dollar herbal foods empire.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the PURSUIT of Happiness” Declaration of Independence written in 1776 by Thomas Jefferson. The general sentiment is that people are better off than their parents and that it is possible to start out poor and work hard to become rich. Is it true that people are free to pursue success and financial security in the U.S.? Do some have an easier time pursuing success than others? Do people have an equal chance in life to pursue their dreams and goals?

It all begins with a Dream . . . You see things and say, “Why?” But I dream things that never were and I say, “Why not?” ~George Bernard Shaw

Chinese Stowaways die while trying to enter the U.S. WHY TAKE THE RISK?

American Dream?... Shining city on a hill Or, a Tale of Two Cities?

REFLECT : How accurate is the American Dream?