Your American Dream, Can you Reach It?

What is a myth? In my opinion, a myth is something that is believed and lived, but is not true. Many people live and believe the myth that is taught throughout their lifetime. An American myth is very much like an American dream. Most people believe the American dream having luxuries, happiness, and respect. In my opinion my American dream was to work hard, be honest, and to treat others the way I wanted to be treated; I would have the American dream.
One artifact that represents the American dream is the Great Immigration period. During this time people from all over the world came to America to live. Many of the immigrants arrived at Ellis Island in New York between 1892 and 1954. The reason for this was to have freedom and to be allowed to follow their personal dreams. Many of the people ever planned to return to their original homes. The percentage of people to return was about two. The peak of immigration periods were early spring through mid fall. There was never much violence in during the immigration periods. The people just wanted to be in America. They had plans of starting their life over here. (Researchers, 2009)
Another artifact that represents the American dream is Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King Jr. was as Baptist minister and a social activist that lead many civil rights movements. He won the Nobel Peace Prize. Martin Luther King Jr., came from a middle-class family. He wanted his life to be different. During the time that Martin was growing up, blacks and whites were separated. Martin wanted to be treated the same. The only hatred Martin had in his heart was toward racial segeration. Martin Luther King Jr., was a non-violent man. He did not believe in violence. His American dream was to be treated equal. At this time, this was only a myth. Although his dream is somewhat fulfilled, there are still some people out there that are racist. (Martin Luther King Jr., biography, 1996-2009)
I chose these two artifacts because they both had a desire to have something different. At the time of this, it was myth; not everyone could stay in America and not everyone got treated equal. Both of these situations have a goal to achieve, but yet, it can still be a myth that is not ever going to change or enhance the life of others.
Some people in America set their goal so high it is virtually impossible to achieve; therefore it is unrealistic. The reason for this is because people are never satisfied, or happy with what they have; there is always something bigger or better. Competition is the main problem with making the American dream a myth instead of reality. People always want to be able to say look what I have got. This has affected me my whole life, as it has others. My American dream was to have happiness. Although I have had happiness, I have had heartache. I have shed tears as well as had laughter.
A movie that comes to mind when I think of the American dream is the “Butter-cream Gang” by featured family films. In this movie, two boys grow up as best friends. One boy, Scott, stays behind with his family and learns morals. The other boy, Pete, leaves the small town for a big city, he joins a gang experiments with drugs. He later returns home to the small town. The two boys are reunited, but things now have changed. Scott has a goal to help others, work, and be happy. While Pete, is out stealing from the honest town people, doing drugs, and miserable because he wants have Scott has. This is how people are today. Many have set their “American dream” in arms length, therefore they succeed. While others have set their “American dream” high as the sky, therefore their dream never comes. The smaller set dreams become reality, while the high set dreams will always be a myth. (Neibaur, 2004)





References
Martin Luther King Jr., Biography (1996-2004). Retrieved November 20, 2009, from BIO True Story: http://www.biography.com/articles/martin-luther-king-jr.9365086?part=1

Neibaur, B. (director). (2004). the Butter Cream Gang. [Motion Picture].

Researchers, L.C. (2009, November 3). Selected Images of Ellis Island and Immigration, ca.1880-1920. Retrieved November 20,2009, from Prints and Photographs Reading Room: http://www.ask.com/barq=Ellis+Island+Immigration&page=1&qsrc=6&dm=all&ab=4&title=selected+images+of+Ellis+Island+and+Immigration%2c+ca.+1880-1920+u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.locgov%2Frr%2print%2Flist%2F070_immi.html+sg=PljYxrql48N%2BwwyNLigoDN6HfRUrgOHBpZpLD2w


HUMN341
Assignment 2-3