"The American Dream" is something that we've all heard of. It's something that we might even be in pursuit of. It's something we've heard is in trouble and that is even dead. The real question, though, is the usual: "What is it?"
To answer the question, I shall use the words of those who are far greater and wiser than me. Wikipedia provides a modern definition for the American Dream, "...a national ethos of the United States, the set of ideals in which freedom includes the opportunity for prosperity and success, and an upward social mobility for the family and children, achieved through hard work in a society with few barriers." While Wikipedia might say that of the Modern American dream, it has changed over the years. James Truslow Adams, who is largely credited with the term, said, "...life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement regardless of social class or circumstances of birth."
Many other people have spoken about the American dream. Many great speakers, including Doctor Martin Luther King Junior, F.Scott Fitzgerald, John Steinbeck, today's presidential candidates, and hosts of others have spoken on the subject. The common thread, however, does not match up to what we live in today. A comedian once said, "It's called the American Dream, because you have to be asleep to believe it." In today's world, I believe that comedian is right. I believe that the American Dream has died. I shall tell you when it died.
The American Dream died in the hearts of its people long ago. It died when Eric Garner was strangled to death because he was might have been selling something that couldn't be taxed. The American dream died when Lilly Ledbetter did more work than others, but got paid less. It died when women made less than men for the same work. The American Dream died when people were profiled and arrested just for being black. The American Dream died when the country spent soldiers' willing blood for greed instead of necessity. It died when people looked at others and saw skin color instead of a fellow mind and a fellow worker. It died when every race had a scholarship but one. The American Dream died when people in a "free" country were beaten to death for being homosexual. It died when people got told they were worthless for being "privileged" whites. The American Dream died when the government started putting people in prison and taking their freedom for the '"greater good," when they did nothing but smoke a plant that hurt no one. It died when one's religion was mocked or used an excuse for murder. The American dream died when the police were able to fine a poor, working college student $400 in a single week for things that hurt no one.
The American dream died when the First Amendment was put into "safe zones." It died when people were labeled lunatics for using the Second. The American Dream died when the government started taking rights and selling them back. The American Dream died when the government took a crippling amount of money, but refused to help you if you were a single cent over an arbitrary earning line. The American Dream died when people could make it past all of that and become successful, but have be taxed more to "help those in need," when it really paid for more war. The American Dream died when people felt entitled to anything other than freedom and the fruit of their own labors. The American Dream died when I could be put on a watch list by the FBI or NSA for typing these things.
More than anything, however, the American Dream died when someone tried to tell you that all of that was alright. The American dream died long ago.
