Reflection+on+the+future+of+the+American+Dream

There is a great distinction between what the American Dream used to be and what is has turned into. The American Dream used to be about working hard to be successful and actually feeling like there was something worth striving for. Back in the "good old days" Americans felt accomplished. They earned something. They earned the perfect house, lawn, family, education, job, dog, any possession that was deemed American. The American Dream was something that could be achieved by all. It was something that every citizen of the United States had to work towards and desire. Today, the American dream has turned in a different direction and as some would say, died. The "good old days" that our grandparents speak of so fondly are over. However, we are constantly striving to go back to the "good old days." These were the days when the American Dream was a plausible dream, a dream that could possibly have a reality. However, today the dream has turned into greed. All we want is more. Americans only strive to get what will make them the most wealthy or popular. We have turned into a society that does not value hard work but a society that only values how much money you have. Also, the American Dream isn't for everyone; it is only for those who can pay for it. Yet, in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzergerald, we see the hope of one man, Jay Gatsby, who is a whole dreamer. Gatsby is someone who believes that dreams can come true and will continue to work towards his dream, an American Dream, even if he has to go through some hard times to get there. However, Fitzergerald also shows the greedy side of the American Dream as well in other characters featured in the book. Nick realizes that someone such as Jordan, is only out to get money and that her voice was only "full of money." I think that almost all Americans voices are filled with money today. We don't strive for dreams like Jay Gatsby anymore. We strive for greedy and selfish dreams. We dream of having it all; having the good old days come back to us while still keeping our place in the present. As long as we continue this way, the American Dream will only continue into a terrible downward spiral in which the so called "good old days" will cease to exist.

__Our Racial Soul__