Inside My Mind

In 1931 historian James Truslow Adams popularized the term “American Dream.” Adams described the American Dream as a dream “life should be better and richer and fuller for every man, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement.” (1). The Great Depression challenged that. Unemployment reached twenty-five percent. Lines for the soup kitchens stretched for blocks. Families were evicted and homeless. America was plunged into a situation which didn’t allow its citizens to grow and advance. Despite Americans not being able to achieve their true potential, the dream endured. Americans were asked if there should be a limit to how much one can earn, where money earned above the wage cap would be collected by the federal government. Despite the economic hardship, 61% of the respondents answered “no.” (1). Why? I believe it’s because of the American Dream still burning in their hearts. The dream includes struggle and hard work. The dream includes humble beginn

In America, we do things  big . We drive the  biggest  trucks. We buy the  biggest  TV's. In America, we go big or go home. In the land of abnormal enormity, it's only natural we dream big too. The American dream is often portrayed as the rags to riches story of an individual who comes from nothing and finds success in wealth. However, we all have different backgrounds, aspirations, and therefore, different dreams. What is the American dream? The American dream is well expressed in Thomas Jefferson's 3rd natural right: the pursuit of happiness. Happiness is achieved when an individual feels free, and safe, and able to achieve his or her maximum potential. The individual must be free so they can live by their own accord and live by the means which they find fulfillment. The individual must feel safe to allow fear and anxiety to dissipate. Finally, the individual must be able to live up to their maximum potential which means he or she live in an environment where equal