A Beginner’s Guide to the American Dream
The infamous “American Dream”, a term popularized in 1931 by James Truslow Adams, meaning “each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position.”
As bold as it is, this “American Dream” is perhaps one of the most highly regarded ideals in the development of this country. It has indirectly attracted millions of immigrants over the decades, silently promising them a land of economic opportunity. In a world of nations where the output of hard work is distorted through sociopolitical turmoil and corruption, the United States became characterized for being a novel platform for prosperity.
But what significance, if any, does this “dream” have today? Is a strong work ethic all it takes to achieve one’s “fullest stature”, or is even that unnecessary?
When I think of people who “got rich quick”, one of the first names that come to mind is Jordan Belfort, known as the “Wolf of Wall Street”. Belfort was born and raised in New York to Jewish parents who had stable jobs and incomes. In an interview with CNBC, however, Belfort referred to himself as a “hustler, [who] could and would get more”. In the summer between high school and attending American University for pre-dental studies, Belfort and a friend made $20,000 selling Italian ice. In fact, Belfort turned down acceptance from one of the best dental schools in the US at the time once he was told “if you’re looking to make a lot of money, you’re in the wrong place” by the dean of admissions.
You probably know what happened next. Belfort set out on a personal mission to recover from his layoff as a stockbroker, and eventually would become the founder of a franchise which would net over a billion dollars in fraudulent stock sales. Before being arrested and sentenced, Belfort described himself as being “on top of the world…everything was happening my way”. In his departing speech to his firm, he claimed “Stratton Oakmont is America…and each one of us has fulfilled the American Dream.”
To him, he had evidently achieved “the fullest stature”, and had pursued and attained happiness.
But did Belfort and his company work hard? Without a doubt, Belfort had to work his way up the economic spectrum, and his acclaimed reliance on drugs and alcohol would make it seem so. However, as much as he’d try to defend his company after release from prison, the answer to this question is surely, no. Illegally holding stocks and feeling no remorse for essentially stealing money from the public is without a doubt out of line with the American Dream.
The Jordan Belfort story is one of many that affirmed the claims made in American literature during the time period. Twentieth century authors, namely F. Scott Fitzgerald, Arthur Miller, and John Steinbeck, have produced prominent literary works, such as The Great Gatsby, Death of a Salesman, Of Mice and Men, and Grapes of Wrath, that challenge the validity of the Dream.
The underlying message? The American Dream has evolved the US from the land of opportunity to the land of entitlement.
The Dream is just what is, a dream. One would think capitalism would allow for anyone to achieve anything. It’s quite the opposite; free enterprise operates solely on the competition of private owners and small businesses, which are willing to go to great lengths to maximize profits. The tradeoff, often times, becomes an ethical issue, where morals are thrown aside to what individuals believe is the “greater good”.
And this is just the economic side.
Racial discrimination and social prejudice works hand-in-hand with class conflict to provide the perfect roadblock for anyone to attain their “fullest stature”.
Take, for example, the role of African Americans in the US. Although the abolishment of slavery explicitly equalized blacks and whites, segregation and inherent racism continued for 100 years afterwards. Multiple Supreme Court cases, along with numerous protests, sit-ins, rallies etc. were necessary for official legislation. Today, decades later, police shootings and targeted hate crimes are on the rise.
Are there exceptions? Certainly. “Happiness” is purely subjective. For some that may mean a 6-digit salary, and for others that may mean respect from their community. Each one of us works towards happiness in some way, and do attain levels of it.
But the general notion of the Dream being applicable to anyone and everyone is one that we must begin to abandon.
So what is the key to happiness? What does success mean in a developed country such as the US? What does it take to get there?
The American Dream boils down to nothing more than diligence in work, reasonable ambitions and aspirations, the right attitude, and a little bit of luck.
“When you think about me being president of the United States, it was quite unlikely…Some of it had to do with just chance. It was just luck.”
— Barack Obama
