Anushka Reddy Week 5: Is the American Dream Achievable for Everyone?
Many immigrants move to America—“the land of opportunity”—in hopes of a better life. This idea is called the “American Dream” The American Dream more specifically refers to the idea that every citizen in the United States, despite their background, has equal opportunities to achieve success and prosperity through hard work (Oxford English Dictionary). However, this might vary depending on certain factors.
My parents were both born and raised in India. My parents studied and worked hard while growing up to support their family. My dad moved to Houston, Texas for better job opportunities while my mom remained in India. He visited India for the wedding arrangements and shortly after their marriage, they both decided to settle in America for better job opportunities and a better life for their children. They put a lot of thought into finding the best-suited place and environment to start a family. They first moved to Missouri and then decided to settle in Dallas, Texas, where I was soon born, as it was less conservative than Houston.
The majority of the population in Dallas was white with very few people of color—Asians specifically, with less than 3% of the population. Due to this, my dad, unfortunately, faced discrimination in his workplace and was constantly accused of snatching opportunities from white people. Although my dad worked very hard, these racial and ethnic inequalities, made it difficult for my family to achieve the American Dream.
My dad, already getting exhausted with the discrimination and inequalities, soon got a better job opportunity in California so we moved to the Bay Area. In Bay Area, there is a lot of diversity so we did not have to face any racial discrimination anymore. However, the cost of living has grown increasingly higher over time. Due to this, many people in California moved to Texas which is very ironic of my family since it was the other way around for us. The high cost of living along with other expenses, make it harder for individuals to achieve economic stability, which is a crucial element of the American Dream.
In pursit of the American Dream, many immigrants similarly move to America in hopes of better opportunities. However seeing all the struggles my parents went through made me realize this belief as long as you work hard, may not always be always be true. My parents agree that in the end they have achieved the American Dream. Although the cost of living is high, my parents think it is not a problem for them personally, but this might not be the case for other individuals living in California. The American Dream might still attainable for some, although reaching it may involve navigating a difficult path and overcoming the other factors that make it difficult for immigrants to achieve their end goal. It is significant to realize that not every citizen has an equal opportunity to gain success due to these factors.
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Hello Anushka! An intriguing aspect of your blog is the visual that accompanies the text that you present. The image depicts the diversity of the population who seek fulfillment and opportunity while pursuing the American Dream. The American Dream has formed a platform for many individuals who seek opportunity in the free world—you address the limitations of the increasing reliance that individuals place on the value of the American Dream. Including a personal anecdote enhances the emphasis of the message you deliver. Presenting demographical information in your blog supplements your portrayal of a racially unequal area. The beginning of your argument presents a specific instance of your parents’ experiences with the racial inequality that partly characterizes American society. Then, you move toward generalizing the scope of your argument to include immigrants in general. The issues surrounding immigration have been a point of contention for many Americans.
ReplyDeleteYou present the fundamental flaws in American society; the juxtaposition between ideal American values and the presentation of the reality of life in America is perfect to contrast how far we are deviating from our supposed morals. The links you provide in your blog are instrumental in shaping perceptions of the American Dream depending on the location and acknowledging a complex understanding of the dream itself. There is a visible element of comprehension and application of your understanding on the American Dream in your blog.
Hi Anushka! Your blog was extremely insightful, as it described the challenges your family faced while pursuing the so-called "American Dream." Your writing was very well structured as it began with an introduction of what the American Dream actually is and then transitioned into a personal and emotional story about your family. The description of the transition between living in Missouri then Dallas, and finally California depicts an image of the triumphs and struggles faced. I can relate to your blog in many ways as well. As a child of immigrants, I understand the struggle that we face living in this country. The discrimination you described is truly sad, but it is inspiring to know that many are able to rise and get above it. Additionally, the high cost of living is another issue that complicates the American Dream, as it makes fewer opportunities available for immigrants and other people. Overall, your blog had a strong and passionate voice as you spoke about the hardships your family faced and the two sides to the American Dream. Great Job!
ReplyDeleteHi Anushka! Your blog was relatable to read and clearly ties into the aspect of achieving the American Dream. Your blog reminds me of the many struggles immigrant families encountered in order to achieve a land of opportunity to live a better life. My parents have told me stories about the struggles they faced in order to find job opportunities while experiencing the racial and ethnic inequalities in their workplace. The journey followed throughout the blog from moving to Texas and back to California shows how hard it can be to achieve an American dream being an immigrant. Your blog was truly compelling with a well-thought structure with starting out defining what American Dream is to relating it back to the journey your parents experienced in achieving it. When you mentioned the economic instability faced in California with a high cost of living, it further expands to the difficulties of achieving a dream as an immigrant and how it made some families move back to Texas. This made me feel sad but also intrigued by the many hardships your family faced in pursuit of the American Dream. Your blog has a confident and a formal tone that conveys an aspect of the American Dream that immigrants struggle with.
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