Seeing The American Dream From Here

“What you see is what you get,” they say, however, “how far can you see?”

The experiences of African Americans in the 21st century continue to be defined by history, heritage, and hope. Since the first arrival of slaves in 1619 on board a Dutch-man-of-War at Jamestown, Virginia, the quest for equal treatment, justice, and opportunity remain central to achieving the liberties that are embedded in the American Dream.

Without question, the contributions and personal sacrifices of African Americans over the past four centuries have been significant to the social fabric of the nation and continue to enrich the American experience for all. The passage has often been hard, clouded by mistrust, betrayal, misunderstanding, and prejudice. Still the journey to racial equality has proven to be worthwhile for most African Americans who embrace the promise of a great nation. Indeed, the problem of the 21st century remains the problem of the color line.

 

Finding A View

The term “American Dream,” was first used by James Truslow Adams in his book The Epic of America written in 1931. He stated that the

 

“American Dream is that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement. It is a difficult dream for the European upper classes to interpret adequately, and too many of us ourselves have grown weary and mistrustful of it. 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. (p. 214-215).

Adams’ definition of the American Dream became the benchmark for future generations and continues to be the banner for all citizens to aspire to. He captures the essence of the hopes and dreams of a nation that was coming of age in a time of great challenges and a new world order. This concept of the American Dream gave a new meaning to those who were seeking to become an active participant in the making of America during the Great Depression.

The Journey

The quest to achieve this American Dream continues to be a moving target, ever-evolving and more or less embedded as a goal in every generation. What the American Dream first meant to people and groups in the late 1800s after the Civil War and Slavery; to the early 1900s and WWI, the Great Depression (when the construct emerged), the New Deal, WWII, the Korean and Vietnam conflicts, the Civil Rights Movement, Integration, Regan-Economics to now in the 21st century with the election of the first African American President is certainly different and cannot be compared in the same light. The times and values have changed, and certainly what the American Dream means to people today and even the world has changed.
 

Robert Longley wrote an article citing that two thirds of Americans say the American Dream is becoming harder to achieve, especially for families as they point to financial insecurity and poor quality public education as significant barriers. According to a survey by the National League of Cities in 2004, the American Dream is defined as financial stability, living in freedom and enjoying good health. Of course these goals vary among generational age groups as well as among people of color.
 

Lasting Value

Many consider the American Dream as a promise or contract that entitles each citizen the right to pursue their dreams in a land flowing with milk and honey. Too often this pursuit of the American dream comes with a high price. In many situations, African Americans find their pathway to the American Dream full of pitfalls, unchartered waters, winding roads, a narrow pathway, a bridge too far or a river too wide to cross.

Regardless of the disillusionment, setbacks, hurdles, and the resulting heartbreak, the quest to achieve the American Dream remains the goal in the African-American community. For many it is not reaching the dream that makes it worthwhile, it’s the journey and the experience of achieving the dream in the face of insurmountable odds. “How I made it” is the story line and the badge of courage of contemporary accounts of successful African-Americans. Nevertheless, the goal, the destiny, the hope and the inspiration that comes with “making it” and holding on to the dream is what the American experience is all about. This is especially true for all who have come to America as first time immigrants as well as their descendants and those whose bloodlines are reflective of those who died in the faith and hope of receiving the promise.