2/23 post

On Thursday, we watched two documentaries about migrant workers and then had a seminar to discuss these issues through the lenses of science, literature, and economics. Examine  how this experience informed your understanding of major themes, such as questioning the American Dream and whether we live in a meritocracy, inThe Great Gatsby.

After watching those two movies, my view of how attainable the American Dream is has definitely shifted. For us, the American Dream seems a lot more realistic and achievable. For some of us like myself, because my parents and grandparents have achieved the stereotypical American Dream. For others, because they only know what they are told about it, which is that it is easily achievable with hard work, and that it is common. Both of which are untrue. There are people that work just as hard if not harder as people socioeconomically above them, yet can't break the cycle of poverty that they live in. It almost seems that in our society, we set it up so that people who already are financially well off are set up to keep receiving even more money, while making it harder for those who are socioeconomically lower to get ahead. 

American Dream

The American Dream is creating an ideal life for yourself in America. It generally looks like finding a stable job, being able to support you family, and setting up your kids to be able to have a better life than you did. Although this is definitely ideal, I don't think it is as realistic or achievable as it used to be, or as it is publicized. My grandfather moved here in the 70's with eleven kids, and no money. He saved up money overtime, and him and his friend bought one Burger King location. He saved up the money from that location, and bought another. Over time, this added up, and today the family company owns over 500 all over the country. He started a family company where all of his kids work, and some of his grandchildren have started to work. Even though he was able to achieve the American Dream, I do believe a lot of it is luck along with hard work. It seems like you have to be at the right places at the right time in order to have the opportunity presented to you. The cost of living itself is so expensive, its almost impossible to save up on a low salary, especially supporting a family. Although I do think it is do-able, I don't think it is realistic.