Current Issues of 2017

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     In every state of America there are many different types of neighborhoods. From wealthy neighborhoods to ones leaning more towards poverty. Everyone in this life is judged by where you come from. Where you’re from seems to describe what kind of person you are. Apparently where you’re from will decide if you go to college or not. Finally, where you’re from will tell you what kind of life you will live when you get older. Why do people listen to this nonsense!? Should where you are from decide what you do in your life? Some do not believe in the American Dream, but I do. Everyone has the opportunity to be successful, it just may be harder for some people to reach but this should not stop them.

           

     Here is one story that motivates my belief in the American Dream and that no matter where you come from, you have a chance to make something out of your life. Harold Simmons, grew up in a home with no electricity, nor plumbing. Simmons growing up did not believe he would become rich and live comfortably. Hard work was his motivation, he figured it might pay off in the long run even if he did not become rich. Harold went on to go to college by earning his educational merits (his parents were teachers). He graduated from the University of Texas with a master’s degree in economics. After graduating he went on to work as a bank examiner for the U.S Government. Simmons went on to become one of the richest people in America before passing away. Simmons went from what some would call “white trash” to well off all because he worked hard. This is one of many examples that proves that the American Dream does exist and can be reached by anyone.

           

     Where you are from shouldn't define who you are or what you are going to do in life. Why should it? Because someone told you that you can’t? Because you grew up poor? You are the only person in life that can define what you do. Not where you are from, not someone else, nothing but you can make it in your way. Many people may argue that the American dream is impossible to reach for some people but I disagree. America is the land of the free, and we all have the freedom to excel and prosper. According to the American Community Survey in 2008-2012 a third out of 563,000 teenagers dropped out of school to step into the work force. Six out of ten of the kids earned less than $10,000 dollars at their job. A third of these kids contribute to more than 20% of their household income. A tenth contributed to more than 50% according to the study. Is this supposed to define every person that grows up less fortunate? Should kids be preparing to be poor when they get older? No. The problem is that these kids did not have the right motivation. People go further when they have people expressing support and love. Statistics do not disprove the American Dream.

           

     Another story of someone who defeated the odds was Andrew Carnegie. Andrew started working at the age of 13 years old. He made $ 1.20 an hour. At 13 years old he had to go to work, help support his family. What teenage boy would want to have to start work that early? Carnegie became one of the richest men in the world!  He grew up in poverty but that didn't stop him from chasing dreams. At one point in time he was one of the kids who gave his income to help support his family. If a 13 year old boy growing up in poverty can become one of the richest people in the world, can’t anyone with the right mindset? Everything in life is a mindset, if you have a terrible mindset you will go nowhere but if you have a strong mindset just think about what you can achieve. People like Andrew prove my point that anyone can make something out of their life and that the American dream does in fact exist.

           

     An article that I found on USA Today called “American Dream is still alive, but unrecognized”, states that “A new study shows that a majority of Americans are living the American Dream — even if they largely don't realize it. The poll, conducted by marketing firm DDB as part of its 2014 Life Style Study, found that only 40% of American adults over the age of 18 believed they were "living the American Dream."” This is why a lot of people do not believe the American dream is still alive. They are blinded and do not see that they are already living it. “That same 7,015-person study also found that sizable majorities reported owning a home, receiving a "good education," finding a "decent job" and giving their children better lives than they themselves had—all traditional tenets of the American Dream.” So there you have it, Living the American dream does not always mean being filthy rich but working hard to move forward and achieve more than the generations before you. The American dream is not dead it is just unrecognized.

           

     In the Article “Why I believe the American Dream is still alive”, David Sokol says “According to a recent research report from CNN/ORC International, 59 percent of adults believe the American dream has become impossible. As the son of a grocery store manager and a homemaker from Omaha, Nebraska, this troubles me deeply because I see myself as a reflection of the American dream. I had parents that believed deeply in this concept and instilled in me – and each of my five siblings – that nothing was unattainable if we worked arduously, courageously and with conviction.” He goes onto say that as a nation we have stopped encouraging one another and the younger generations. Most people believe that kids will grow up to be worse off than their parents and as a nation we are making it seem as though higher education is no longer as important. It is not that the American dream has died, it is that people do not try to keep it alive or recognize that it is still possible.

           

     My life has not been an easy road. I know and so do many people that know me, I haven't had anything handed to me. I had to get a job in high school I didn't like it, but I was giving money to my father to help out. I look back and see where I'm at now, playing college football and furthering my education. My best friend was the same way. I remember in middle school we always talked about playing college sports but never knew if it would be possible because of money. We weren't the poorest but we weren't the richest. He went on to play basketball at Kentucky Wesleyan College, chasing dreams. We did not let where we are from and what we came from define where we are going. I will continue to have that strong mindset and work towards what I am destined to do. I will not give up on the American dream and neither should you. It is still alive.

 

 

 

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Work Cited

Rosenfeld, CNBC Everett. "American Dream is still alive, but unrecognized." USA Today. Gannett Satellite Information Network, 05 July 2014. Web. 23 Feb. 2017.

 

"Why I believe the American Dream is still alive." Fox News. FOX News Network, n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2017.

 

"The Harold Simmons' Life Story - From Rags To Riches." Worldsrichpeople. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2017.

 

Douglas-Gabriel, Danielle. "An alarming number of teenagers are quitting school to work." The Washington Post. WP Company, 16 Apr. 2015. Web. 23 Feb. 2017.

 

"Andrew Carnegie." Biography.com. A&E Networks Television, 22 Nov. 2016. Web. 23 Feb. 2017.