Wednesday, February 2, 2011

The American Dream

"The American Dream! It is a part of our vocabulary and the core of who we are as a people. It has been on the lips and in the hearts of millions of Americans for generations. For many Americans, the American Dream stood for opportunity. The Dream was rooted in the belief that, in a peaceful and democratic society, citizens were free to pursue their goals, and honest effort would result in a satisfactory degree of material comfort. The idealistic notion that in America one might reasonably aspire to a better life for oneself and one's family was a powerful symbol. It spoke not merely to personal aspirations but to our aim as a society as well. It is a wonder-filled, hope-filled, inspiring call to every person and to our country as a whole, but what does it mean? What does the American Dream mean to you?"

Use complete sentences to answer the last question. You will receive credit for your THOUGHTFUL response, and you will lose ten points if you fail to spellcheck your comment.

35 comments:

Anonymous said...

K Kim Period 2
The American dream means to me that, every person in the whole country is free and has a job. Also that everyone is treated equally and there is no more discrimination in the country.

Anonymous said...

M. Cole Period 2

The American Dream means hope and freedom to me. It means that we should not be held back from trying to aspire to our dreams. It means that we are free to work our hardest for our families to try and give them a good life, and it means that everyone has the chance for an education. The American dream is supposed to be about giving everyone an equal opportunity for a better life regardless of where they are from.

Anonymous said...

S. Proctor Period 2-
What the American Dream means to me is that everyone has an opportunity to do anything that they wanted to do. It means that they got to pursue their dreams and reach their goals in America. It gave people hope when they thought of the American Dream.

Anonymous said...

T.Burton Period 2

To me the words "American Dream" means succeeding in what I believe in and carrying out those goals and ideas to make the world a more peaceable place to live in. If I plan on becoming a doctor I can help people overcome what they believe isn't possible to overcome. If I become a political figure, I can help reassure that this nation is in good hands and protect my fellow citizens. If I choose an astronaut as a profession, I can make a huge discovery of another world and the young students and teachers will reap the profit that I have sown. So to me the American Dream is showing the world that anyone can leave a special legacy in history if they work hard enough and stay the course.

Anonymous said...

J.Diaz Period 2 -
The American Dream to me is when you grow to be very successful in life. It could be successful financially and emotionally as in finding a life partner and having a wonderful family. As long as you are satisfied and happy throughout your life, I believe you are living the American Dream.

Anonymous said...

K.Walker Period 2
The American Dream to me is living economically and emotionally well. If I am happy and able to afford a modest lifestyle I am enjoying the american dream.

Anonymous said...

period 1
Donovan Pritchard
"The American Dream" if it would ever happen would mean a lot to me. I don't think it will ever happen because us humans cannot make this happen because all of the constant controversy.

Anonymous said...

B.Meredith Period 1
To me the American Dream is going to school and getting the job of your dreams when you are finished. It means making money,having children, and being happy. The American Dream means that even if you are not born in America and you live here you have access to the dream. To me it means hard work and determination to reach your goals.

Anonymous said...

CM period 1:
The notion of the American Dream means that its the idealistic vision that most,if not all hoped in some shape or form of another. The American Dream to me means that it was a symbol that stood for something better like opportunity, chances, risks, adventuresome future chances that had great promises in them. Promises that many Americans had deemed to be believable.The American Dream is ambitions embedded in optimum inspiration.

Anonymous said...

L.M Period 2

1. The American dream stood for opportunity for job occupations, a better life, and also to be able to believe in what ever belief you wanted. It was a symbol that meant promise and success for those who longed for a democratic society.

2. The American dream means to be equal and free with no boundaries limiting one person from the other. It means that everyone shares the same opportunities and everyone has the same rights. The dream was thought of as paradise that showered everyone who lived there with bliss.

Anonymous said...

J.S Period 1-
The American Dream is what everyone single American desires and a inspirational goal. For Example in the book "Of Mice and Men" the two main characters George and Lennie have their own American, to live their lives and to work on a farm. My American dream is for equality to spread from country to country and everyone to live their lives without being persecuted. I hope that one day that my American dream may be realized on future generations can live in peace and harmony.

Anonymous said...

Period 1 LGiboyeaux
We all share the American Dream. We hope to achieve perfection or at least something close to it. It's the dream to go above and beyond. It's the dream to conquer all. It is the goal to be great.It is the dream that we all dream for and if we lack the ambition for it we lose it entirely.The American Dream cannot be achieved through laziness because it is the mission to be extraordinary. For me, it is the desire to be an influence, impact, and an example for society.

Anonymous said...

JH Period 2:
A lot of books and movies define the American Dream as a perfect life, with huge houses and fancy cars and always describes their life to be rich and magnificent. However to me that dream seems so pointless and unrealistic.The true American dream to me is having that chance to be able to choose and pursue any career that you please and having the chance to become rich and then successful without being discriminated and belittled by your race, gender or beliefs. Yes I wish that I can be rich and have a "perfect family", but is that my dream? No and it shouldn't be my dream it should be just simply having a healthy family that you love and to having the opportunity to have the career you wish and you love and are able to become successful off that career.

Anonymous said...

M. Bohn Period 1:

To me, the American Dream says that I may pursue my own goals, whatever they may be. For example, one of my goals is to enter a career in robotics. Basically, the Dream is that I may pursue that goal freely. On a more general level, in reference the nation as a society, the Dream is that eventually there wouldn't be discrimination, and that ANYONE would be able to FREELY pursue their goals.

Anonymous said...

S.Slaughter Period 1

What the American Dream means to me is everyone being who they are. Many say it's the money, or famous life. But honestly I don't want that, having people want me for my things and not who I am. I prefer being poor if it was for that. The American dream is a when everyone can get along, all racism will stop. The crime that happens will stop; this country comes together as one to change. Rather then keep saying we want it to change but take no actions. The American dream is life worth looking forward to, many believe it could never happen with the way the country is now but with little changes at a time it can change. The American Dream is a world full of believers and dreamers, that one day will make something of them self and be all that they can. Living up to their goals, and being all they can.

Anonymous said...

NJG Period 1

The American Dream in its simplest form is the guaranteed freedom to pursue your dream. It doesn't guarantee that this dream will come true, nor does it say that one dream is better than another, but what it does tell you is that no matter what you want to do, you can try. It guarantees that you will not be persecuted for that dream, and that you can fight for your rights to retain that dream.

Anonymous said...

D.S Period 1: To me the American Dream means ultimate opportunity for success in the American society. It is when you have your own personal place in America that you are comfortable with.

Anonymous said...

K.Johnson Period 1

The American Dream to me means for everyone to be at peace. I think that everyone should learn to get along no matter what they look like or what race. Everyone should be treated fairly. Also everyone to succeed in whatever they want to do or want to become.

Anonymous said...

L.I.R period 1

To me the American Dream means that everyone has the opportunity to be their own boss, and make their own jobs. That is what the American Dream means to me.

Anonymous said...

B.Mack Period 1 - The American Dream means that everyone has an equal opportunity to be successful. When a citizen works hard and is a good person in their community;then they will have a good life in America. This dream is about how you can start over with a whole new life when you come to America. There are many opportunities for children of the future. Schools are more efficient and have more educational programs to offer to the students that live in America. America is known to be the successful country that is "land of opportunity" and we as Americans should keep it that way with our freedom and opportunities available.

Anonymous said...

A. Ortiz Period 1

In my opinion the American Dream means hope for everyone. This dream gives everyone the opportunity to believe in something. The name "American Dream" says it all, it defines the word American meaning everyone, and the word dream gives everyone something to work toward. To me the American Dream means that I have an opportunity. The American Dream makes me feel as though I have something to not only believe in but live for as well.

Anonymous said...

H. Cerna Period 1 - The American Dream. A title in itself. It may have much and many different meanings to many different people. However, for me it honestly means when you are happy. Happy with what you have, what you have accomplished, and you couldn't ask for more but more years to keep living that life. That to me is The American Dream. Hopefully I will have that dream someday. :)

Anonymous said...

C.Malave period 2 - My American dream is to have a steady job that I love to come to everyday. I would have a beautiful wife with 2 kids. We would live in a good house not too big and not small at all. I would have enough money for two nice cars and spoiling my kids and wife. We would go on vacation twice a year to different places around the world. My wife would cook about 3 or 4 times a week and on the weekends we would go out to eat. My wife is a stay at home mom taking care of the kids and house while I make the money. It would be a happy life and seems so perfect. Being able to be free to do whatever I want and not worrying about wars or anything else.

Anonymous said...

K. Buckner Period 2:
To me the American dream means freedom and equality. To have equal opportunity and protection from violence and social justice. To be able to work hard, start businesses, and get ahead.

Anonymous said...

C.Britton PD2
The American dream is who we are as people. To many people the American dream meant opportunity. The American dream pretty much means dream big and you can become successful.

Anonymous said...

H. Thompson
Period 2

The American dream means you have a "perfect" house,husband/wife,children.

The American dream to me means that you have the house with a picket fence,nice children, a dog, a nice husband/wife,money,everyone is smiling,you have a mail man, you live in the best neighborhood, and there is no crime whatsoever.

Anonymous said...

M. Bellamy- Period 2:

The American Dream to me means of a nation that wants to be the place of opportunity but can't be because of the harsh world we live in. It means that maybe the emphasis on the word "dream" may just be some sort of example or pedigree to show the people who already succeeded in life. This so called "land of opportunity" maybe just something to get more people to come here so America can still stand as the greatest country in the world.

Anonymous said...

N.Pharris PD#2:

The American Dream to me means a lot of things. When people would come to America, they would come with the mindset that anything is possible. What the TRUE American Dream means to me is that you are doing what you always wanted to do with YOUR life ever since you were little. It is settling for nothing less than what you wanted from the beginning.

Anonymous said...

A.Ortiz Period 2:
An "American Dream" means to have success, be wealthy, and hard work. To me having an "American Dream" is more like a goal, it's a way to predict what you would want your future to look like. A lot of people think that the "American Dream" is a way of living better than your parents did, and a desire among parents for their children to lead happy lives.

Anonymous said...

S.Banks Pd. #2

- The American dream to me means that if you are a citizen of America you are free to do what you believe and follow your dreams. You have multiple opportunities to do what ever you want. America allows equal opportunity for all. As a peaceful and a democratic society, citizens are free to pursue anything of their choice. The American dream allows for diversity in America.

Anonymous said...

B.Jones period 2;
I think the term American dream has a different meaning to every one,but personally i think it is one of you biggest dreams that will affect America.

Anonymous said...

T.Banks Period 2
To me the American Dream means that everyone will have an equal oppertunity. It means that we would all have the chance to have the same jobs, homes, and lives. It means that there would be no discrimination or racism.

Anonymous said...

N.Carrier Period 1

In my way the term or expression "The American Dream" means to have that success everyone strives to get. I don;t want anything to stand in my way or set me back to that goal i want to reach. I want to be judged by the outstanding things I have done in my past to get to my future. I do not want my personal experiences or my appearance to affect me. I think everyone one wants to take part in changing America for the good.

Anonymous said...

C. Lay Period 1

When I hear the term "American Dream", I think of accomplishments and open opportunities that are given within everyone. It gives people the chance to have a goal set forth for themselves and it gives that person a reason for their hard work and I believe that it inspires themselves to work onto achieving that dream of theirs.

Anonymous said...

R.Rivas period 2

To me the American dream means that people all around the world have equal rights and opportunities like everyone else no matter your skin color. It means that every American citizen is available to rights, opportunities, and freedom.