Last week, I discussed the first part of James Truslow Adams’ definition of “American Dream” as described in his book The Epic of America. This week’s discussion will be about the last part of his definition. “It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position" (1931).
I believe Adams is saying the American Dream is being the best you can be. Make the best out of what you are given. Turn lemons into lemonade. Work hard and you will succeed at whatever you want to do.
In 1931, when the term American Dream was first coined, it specifically said the dream was not about money. However, when you ask people today what their American Dream is, the majority of time you’ll get an answer that is either, “win the lottery,” “to be rich” or something to that effect. When did the definition begin to change? According to Matthew Warshauer (2003), the shift from the American work ethic occurred World War II, when Americans became obsessed with material goods. He goes on to state that the “rags to riches” stories that at one time were about hard work are now about winning game shows, filing “frivolous” lawsuits and winning the lottery.
Some people have a hard time with the direction of their American Dream. Steve Jobs gave the commencement address at Stanford University on June 12, 2005. In the address, he told the graduates, “Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.” That, my friends, is why we have teachers, social workers and other people who are in notoriously low-paying positions. They do it because it is their heart’s passion, not for the money. It’s their American Dream.
It doesn’t matter where you started in life. It’s what you DO with your life. Find something you like and do it. If you stumble or fall, get back up and try again.
And until next week, keep dreaming.
Library of Congress (2002). The learning page: what is the American dream? Retrieved
October 15, 2008 from http://lcweb2.loc.gov/learn/lessons/97/dream/thedream.html
Stanford University (2005). Stanford News Service. Text of the Commencement address by
Steve Jobs. Retrieved October 22, 2008 from http://news-service.stanford.edu/news/2005/june15/jobs-061505.html
Warshuer, Matthew (2003). Who wants to be a millionaire? Changing conceptions of the
American dream. Retrieved October 22, 2008 from
http://www.americansc.org.uk/online/American_Dream.htm#_edn9
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1 comment:
Marcia,
Isn't it sad that so many in our nation have decided the only way to "make it" is to win the lottery?! The American work ethic has all but disappeared. I don't believe that you can truly appreciate anything that you don't have to work for.
I tell my career students to find a career that they will love, as you mentioned. There is nothing worse than going to work each day and dreading every moment of the work day. It may take more work to reach this, but it is well worth it.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Julie
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