American Dreams

This is a video of 2 native Kenyan's at a Barack Obama rally, who both now live in America. It got me thinking about the "American Dream" and what this means. For starters, Wikipedia gives this definition. This New Yorker article tells about the decline of the middle-class and poor as compared to the rich, and what this implies for the American Dream. It's been addressed in classics such as The Great Gatsby to recent horror flicks such as American Psycho. The Atlantic writes about it multiple times throughout their history. In a way, almost anything produced in America can be tied to it's dream and our unique view of what we deserve, want, and require from our nation. As a principal, it seems to extend far past material wealth and having a comfortable lifestyle, but an equitable pursuit to reach each individuals full potential. And even with the many flaws and gaps between this dream and reality, it seems as if this guiding idea is one of the things that make America truly unique. Many countries share a lot of our freedoms but it's good to take a step back everyone once in a while and see why all the flaws are still worth trying to change. Sometimes it's easier to see it through the eyes of people who don't always take it for granted. I have to admit I sometimes do.

This ain't a love it or leave it, it's a change it or lose it.-Sage Francis