The American Dream—We’re all chasing it, right? But is this dream the same for everyone? And does everyone have the same opportunity to achieve it?
There are many different stories on the origin of the American Dream. Some associate it with the opportunity and adventure offered to White settlers who moved west. Others believe it relates to the immigrant experience of coming to the United States for freedom and prosperity. Still others point to historian James Truslow Adams, who popularized the term in his 1931 book, The Epic of America.
No matter the origin, the American Dream is a driving force for many people. We want success, and we expect it to a certain extent. How likely are we to actually get it, though? Success looks different to each individual, and we’re all born into different support systems and social networks. Does our likelihood of achieving the Dream depend on who we are? If so, how “American” is that?
Dig deep into your own version of the Dream. See how it fits in (or doesn’t) with society’s expectations. Whether our goals are similar or vastly different, we all generally want to achieve success. Perhaps it’s time for a more inclusive vision of the American Dream, in which all our dreams are welcome and all have an equal chance to come true.
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Taken from The Issue Vol. 1.7: The American Dream