By Trissean McDonald and Alexia Mersola

Many people throughout the world have developed different interpretations of what the American Dream is, and that’s not a bad thing. With a plethora of ethnic groups from countries abroad, who come to the United States with high expectations of obtaining the American Dream, the nation extends itself to these individuals. The U.S. also reminds it’s citizens of their potential strife in America.

America tantalizes its citizens with the notion that even though they may work hard, their chances of obtaining the American Dream are usually unobtainable even with a before plan. However, as mentioned previously, the interpretation differs among individuals. Also, there are those moments that are surreptitious. Nevertheless, harsh consequences usually result in situations in which clandestine individuals pursue the American Dream.

Sophia Macy, a daughter of actors Felicity Huffman and William H. Macy, received an official letter of withdrawal from Juilliard while flying to the university for a final round of auditions for the performing school of arts, according to The New York Times. Macy’s mother, along with twenty other parents, pleaded guilty to cheating on college admissions exams as well as other academic and legal infractions for their children to have priority. In addition to their pleas, many parents got sentenced to penalties ranging from probation to nine months in prison. Therefore, the American Dream holds high significance for those who seek it, even in illegal ways.

Several individuals were interviewed and got asked several questions about the American Dream and what it means to them. In a recorded Zoom conference, Abbey Volmer, who is a 20-year-old San Francisco State University student and is currently affected by COVID-19, shared several personal responses along with the other interviewees.

Does the American Dream Alter as We Grow?

Many people believe it does. Yet, some individuals believe that the American Dream should be somewhat like that of the 1950s (with a white-dominant male figure, a beautiful home, a car, a happy family, as well as a good job). Perhaps, even a dog or two in the mix. Patti Lupone, who is a Tony and Grammy Award-winning American actress and singer, desires the idea of an America during the baby-booming era, which was a time in which the nation tolerated overt segregation of people of color.

“I never expected America to be this broken in my lifetime. I feel like the America I was sold in the 1950s was a lie, because it’s c-r-u-m-b-l-i-n-g. I don’t want to give Trump too much credit. He was elected because the country was broken. He’s just compounding his idiocy by the way he’s handling this coronavirus,” the Daily Beast reported Lupone saying.

However, in today’s world, things have changed that, and the American Dream continues to reel in all sorts of different perspectives.

Volmer: “Personally, it does change as you grow because as you grow, you may want different things. You also kind of start to realize if that dream is actually obtainable.”

Steven Bateman, who is a self-employed writer, always had the intention to write a script for a movie. However, during his years of writing, Bateman’s dream has taken a different route. In addition to that, he has realized what goals could be attainable with hard work. Therefore, Bateman also believes that the American Dream alters as people grow.

Bateman: “Absolutely. Mine changes all the time. For example, I always wanted to write a movie. Well…on my journey, I ended up writing a book (I never intended to do that). Now, that book just got picked up for an adaptation to film. So while I made my dream of becoming a writer of a film, along the way, I became an author who is currently writing a second book. My dream now is to become one of the best selling authors. Growth keeps us moving.”

Although Bateman believes that ”growth keeps us moving,” another interviewee explained the limitations of achieving the American Dream due to COVID-19. Monica Chimmit, who is a mother of three, as well as a full-time university student, disagrees with the idea that the American Dream alters as people grow.

Chimmit: “I would say overall no, but in this short pandemic window, the fact that we all have bills paid and food on the table is as good as we are [going to] get right now.”

Have you accomplished your American Dream?

Many U.S. citizens, as well as people globally, wish for life to return to normal. Chimmit is amongst the many individuals who wants her life back, to continue the aspiring pathway toward fulfilling her dreams of success and normalcy.

Chimmit: “I want to go back to normal and work on my list of things to accomplish, but I can’t. No, I still haven’t achieved it.”

Some individuals aren’t sure about what the American Dreams mean to them. Therefore, these people adventure to find it, while others allow individuals to influence their definition of what it is. Franklin Yi, who is an alumnus of California State University, Northridge, is chasing the American Dream. However, he is seeking the concept to please others more than himself. An interview was conducted for Yi via Facebook Messenger in real-time, where he shared his response.

Yi: “I’m chasing my dream. My parents didn’t get a chance to do that. They sacrificed their dreams to give me a chance to succeed, and I hope one day I’ll get to return the favor [to] them and let them live their dreams through me. Most people I’ve met [who] believe in the American Dream are usually business owners or people in their field. What I notice with all of them is [that] they come from some sort of hardship. When they work, they have a chip on their shoulder.”

Internationally the idea of what the American Dream is also varied; however, some of the responses have a striking similarity to those who are American citizens. Osama Adel Zein, who is from Alexandria, Egypt, also got interviewed via Facebook Messenger in real-time. Although Zein is not American, his wish is to travel.

Zein: “I’m not an American. But I guess I [will] travel.”

Sammy Fernandes, a student at CSUN who majors in broadcast journalism, who is also an immigrant from Brazil, believes that she has accomplished her American Dream. Fernandes’ goal is to receive an education within the U.S. because she views it as an opportunity to grow as an individual. There are countless opportunities in America that she is unable to receive in her country. Therefore, Fernandes shared a personal response that explains this disparity.

Fernandes: “I honestly think that I have accomplished my American Dream because my view of the American Dream is to get a good education in the U.S. because I’m an international student from Brazil. I view the U.S. as an opportunity for me to grow professionally. I’ve had many opportunities here that I wouldn’t have had in Brazil. For example, I joined the forensic team at CSUN, and I have had an opportunity to work on campus since my second semester studying abroad. That was awesome because we don’t have that in Brazil. We can not work and go to universities there. So I definitely think that from my personal experience, studying abroad, I have accomplished my American Dream. But, I do hope that I could get a job in the future and continue to accomplish them.”

Is the American Dream Worth it?

Despite the minor setbacks of the virus, the interviewees in the Zoom conference agreed unanimously that the American Dream is worth it. However, with many dreams also comes reality. In addition to that, if your goals aren’t realistic, how then are they obtainable?

Volmer: “I think it definitely can be worth it, especially if you not only have realistic expectations for yourself, but also for the people around you, or for the objectives that are necessary to get what you want.”

Tyler Eveland, who is a Palomar College student, did not participate in any Zoom conferences.
Therefore, he had a different perspective on if the American Dream is worth it. Eveland believes that the American Dream is not worth obtaining and that it is the traditional concept of selfish behaviors. He expressed this idea in a short statement of disapproval.

Eveland: “The typical American Dream means [that] you put others after yourself and do whatever it takes to get to the top. I don’t think that [it] is worth it.”

Jermaine Johnson, who is a self-employed individual of many crafts, debunked Eveland’s belief that the American Dream promotes narcissism or egotistical characteristics. Johnson believes that if a person is passionate enough about a specific goal that that individual would see the worth of it. He gave a sophisticated rebuttal that challenged Eveland’s ideology; however, Eveland’s theory is not dismissible. Yet, many individuals feel that it is worth it, creating a pool of varied definitions of what is the American Dream.

Johnson: “ It depends on what you want out of life. Your worth is synonymous with your idea of what’s valuable to you. So if it’s something you are passionate about, then I say yes. It is worth it.”

Have you accomplished your American Dream?

Lisa Eveland is a mother of three who is currently unemployed; however, she says that she has accomplished her American Dream by establishing a working partnership with her husband. L. Eveland’s admirations are similar to that of a traditional American Dream. Her husband is a baker; she stays at home with the children, as well as lives in a suburban household.

L. Eveland: “I have absolutely achieved the American Dream through hard work, and [experiencing] the opportunity for my husband to get a good education. We’ve been able to raise a happy, healthy family [and] I’m proud that we now have the opportunity to help our children achieve the American Dream too.”

There are several women nationwide and throughout the world who are sufficient with L. Eveland’s interpretation of the American Dream. However, multiple feminist activist groups believe dependency on a husband is not beneficial for women pursuing the American Dream. Therefore, these women argue that other women shouldn’t be subordinate to their husbands. According to The Federalist, women worked difficult jobs as men have for centuries. Therefore, would it not make sense that these feminist groups are reemphasizing sex discrimination, a governmental issue that’s gotten reshaped in recent years to accommodate gender inequality?

Inasmuch, Johnson also believes that the American Dream should be obtainable without any prior restraints or cultural prejudices. Furthermore, the idea of race should not play as a factor as well. The American Dream centers on work ethics and passionate individuals, according to Johnson.

Johnson: “The American Dream, to me, is having the freedom to pursue your dreams without prejudice. The American Dream doesn’t look at race and culture, but rather work ethics and passion.”

However, the American Dream does look at race and culture rather than ethics and passion. That is why there are feminist activist groups, racial activist groups, as well as LGBT activist groups that always fight for equality. These individuals are misrepresented and are discriminated against perpetually. Nevertheless, multiple Americans, like Johnson, are oblivious of these facts and feel that the American Dream is attainable for all races in cultures.

Is The American Dream Accessible for All Cultures?

Yi: “It is; but, some will have it easier than others, while others will work twice as hard just to prove themselves.”

Jack Shaheen, who is a mass communication scholar, examined more than one thousand Hollywood films released from the early 1900s to the present. He concluded that although the depictions differed with the incorporation of new stereotypes, the consistency of images about vilification remains perpetuated amongst those who are Arabs and Arab Americans.

The 9/11 attack on America in 2001, influenced the western world media to create barriers against the ethnic groups, exacerbating the depiction of Arabs and Arab Americans as violent, religious zealots, terrorists, and villains. Before the nation’s attack, however, the media industry had already attributed negative characteristics to Arabs and Arab Americans, associating the ethnic groups with roles related to vilification.

Bateman: “People can be mean. Some harvest a great deal of hate toward others. Those who [can] say ‘Fuck you, I’m doing it anyway, regardless of ancestry,’ will most likely reach their dreams.”

Paris Roscoe, who is a women’s health nurse practitioner, believes that the American Dream is attainable. However, as Yi explained that the American Dream is achievable for all cultures, with some having it more accessible than others, Roscoe also shares the same belief. She spoke about the hardship of undocumented individuals, as well as those whose lives are deterred by drugs and alcohol.

Roscoe: “I think it may be harder for some than others. But I think it is. It may be harder [for] some undocumented people, but it’s accessible. You know, there are ways to have the American Dream. For some, if their lives were deterred by drugs, alcohol, crime, it’s never too late to get yourself together and have that American Dream. I think it could be harder for some, but I think it’s still achievable.”

Chima Simone, a former 2009 contestant from the reality show “Big Brother” and a journalist, was removed from the production by producers. Simone insisted that her elimination from the competition was because of her ethnicity and personality. According to Simone, the contestant got depicted as a petulant and prejudiced person.

Simone, exasperated behind the stereotypical depiction of her being a confrontational and angry black woman, advises people of color not to take into consideration appearing on the show. The contestant was recognized for her witty and crass remarks, giving Simone the reputation of being direct as well as a diva. Is the American Dream accessible to all cultures? The answer depends on the individual based on personal and environmental circumstances.

“Financial security is a huge component of what the American Dream stands for, but it’s alarming that so many people believe that is beyond their reach,” Forbes reported Tara Reynold saying, who is a corporate vice president with MassMutual.

What Does the American Dream Mean to You?

For many generations, the American Dream has developed a different interpretation for multiple people. As mentioned previously, most generations before the millennial hold firm to the traditional concept of the American Dream. However, for generations after the millennial such as Generation Z, the American Dream stirs-up ambition for genders and cultures between the ages of 7 to 22-years-old.

“I have constant and rising worries about our political state of affairs. This is the first time in my lifetime that I have felt such anxieties on a daily basis,” The New York Times reported Neeta saying, who is a South Asian American female born in 1995 and lives in New York City.

Cody Pfeifer is also born in the era of Gen Z. Studies suggest that people of the Gen Z pool are shockingly driven to becoming debt-free, and also depend less on their parents compared to millennials. They’re establishing wealth and are financially preparing for the future earlier than millennials, according to Business Insider.

Traditionally in a capitalist society like America, the characteristics of the typical American promotes individualism. However, Cody believes the American Dream is the ability to befriend someone who is less fortunate. He also assists and shows compassion to friends when times are tough.

Pfeifer: “It means financial security, a happy home, and a reason to enjoy the small things. The American Dream is keeping your family fed and safe. Being important isn’t important anymore [its] because being secure with your socioeconomic status means [that] you can enjoy the company of someone less fortunate and not only help, but have them achieve the level of greatness you could never believe you found in yourself. It’s going outside, and crying because you’re so happy it’s another beautiful day, and your only obligation is to live it up the fullest.”

Editor’s note- VIDEO ONLY: The video production company is fictional, as well as some parts of the narrative.