In the opinion section, there is an article concerning the DREAM act, which would grant citizenship to students that were brought into the U.S. as children. When it comes to issues of immigration, people are split on the issue. Some people think, “they (the immigrants) are taking our jobs” while others say that these people are “striving for the American Dream.” For the past couple of days, I’ve been wondering, what is the ‘American Dream?’
If you turn on the television and see the images flash before your eyes, are those visuals representative of what America is or has become?
Our nation was founded by individuals who wished to escape religious persecution. However, between the landing of the Mayflower and the iPod, X-Box generation, it’s become obscured.
For generations, people have been coming to the United States seeking opportunities and a better way of life. Whether seeking board on ships crossing the Altantic or crossing the Rio Grande, many wish to live in a nation of possibilities.
America is a large melting pot. We’ve been meshed together with others and are attempting to realize our dream– the Amerian Dream.
But one has to wonder, what has it become?
Through our McDonaldization, commmericalization, globalization, and industrisuzation, has the dream been stretched out too far? We’re a drive-thru-quick-pace-get-it-while-you-can country that puts off our endeavours for tomorrow.
How far has your dream stretched?
Our nation doesn’t have one unified dream. We each have one. Where else in the world can you go from rags to riches?
Unfortunately, not everyone gets to reach that pinnacle. Some live off government aid while others work hard to fulfill their goals.
One sad aspect about our nation, however, is the commericialization that America has undergone. Kudos to Dick McDonald, Mac McDonald, and Ray Kroc, the key creators of McDonald’s, on fulfilling an endeavour of theirs; however, their dream unintentionally imposed a way of life for our country.
Some people work at McDonald’s across the nation, saving and striving towards their goals, whether it is to become the next NBA star or get a master’s degree.
I read in The Battalion, the Texas A&M student newspaper, that a senior in the College of Engineering might be deported. According to their staff reports, the young man, who was originally from Guatemala, has lived in the United States for 17 years and should graduate in December 2009.
Is it fair to deport him when he has lived here so long and worked hard towards his dream?
Some of you may say “let him stay” while others think he should go.
But ask yourself, how would you feel if your dream was snatched away?
According to the Census Bureau, there are over three hundred billion people in the United States and that number continues to grow everyday. That is a lot of dreams out there.
What is your dream?