S2E6 AMERICAN DREAM

THE AMERICAN DREAM HAS BEEN PLAYING US

Is This a Nightmare?

I don't know about you, but pretty much every life decision I made, up to about 30, had thoughts of the American Dream at its core. I don't know if this is once again #capricorntings speaking for me or if the rest of you relate, as well. The way I remember it, from the moment we were tossed to the wolves on our first day of school, American Dream fantasies have been crammed into our impressionable psyches.

Play S2E6 American Dream

Work hard, be honest and you will succeed, in America, right? Is that even true for men of the dominant culture anymore? Was it ever?

The land of limitless possibilities

"We need to remain a nation that doesn't just welcome but that celebrates legal immigrants who come here seeking to pursue the American Dream," says Ted Cruz. We've never been that nation, Ted. Furthermore, that's never been an American value. I see this statement as simply more America The Great propaganda targeting potential immigrants.

"The American Dream is still alive out there, and hard work will get you there. You don't necessarily need to have an Ivy League education or to have millions of dollars startup money. It can be done with an idea, hard work and determination," says Bill Rancic. How would you know, Bill? You grew up in the suburbs, won The Apprentice and married an E! News host. American manipulation and gaslighting at its finest.

A dream controls your waking hours

How tragic. A philosopher once described religion or god as 24-hour police. I sense the American Dream is used in a similarly sinister way. We're given an idea. We're convinced we should desire this idea, through a variety of unethical methods of socialization. We're told if we lead each day of our lives exactly the way this person sees fit, we'll be awarded the idea we now so crave. However, if we falter in anyway, all bets are off and it's up to fate.

Of course there's a double cross. The con, in this one-sided arrangement, is, though you may succeed at living according to this person's standard, it is still very unlikely that you'll be awarded the idea you desire. That vital piece is left out of the conversation.

Reforming your American Dream is an option

When discussing the American Dream, 1) wealth, 2) social status and 3) self-esteem tend to be centered in the conversation. The mental picture, of these desires amalgamated, doesn't have to be such a rigid concept.

Take wealth for example. What does that look like? Jeff Bezos is wealthy. So is Miriam Adelson. Yet, each leads completely different lifestyles. I'm sure the same can be said for their social statuses and self-esteem too.

To prevent running yourselves nuts, reform your American Dream. It can be whatever you want, with no regard for the Joneses. Is it really all about money, houses and cars? What's your dream?

"The American dream belongs to all of us." - Kamala Harris

Hope you enjoyed this week's entry! Be sure to check out our next post, Thursday!