Ah, The American Dream: the ideal that every US citizen should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative
We all know the story: a young man was born into humble beginnings at the bottom of the economic and social ladder… but with hard work, blood, sweat, and tears, he was able climb his way to the top of the ladder to achieve prosperity, economic security, and happiness.
Our country was built around the idea of the American Dream — the idea that someone born with nothing can, if they work hard enough, become successful and prosperous. Children would dream of the rise to the top of the economic system, and adults would grind and strive for it. The American Dream embodied everything that made America the greatest country on Earth.
But now, the American Dream ceases to exist. Maybe for rich, white men, but rarely for anyone else. Yet so many of us still have this preconceived notion that the American Dream lives and that America has persevered as the greatest country on Earth. But if we take a minute to look at the world around us… are we truly the greatest? The happiest? The most successful?
If America is truly the greatest country on Earth, then why do we reject the opportunity to achieve equality every time we have the chance? Why do we continue to shoot down not only justice, but our fellow Americans? Bang, bang, bang — every time a minority is unjustly murdered, every time a family in poverty has to go without eating, every time a woman is sexually assaulted, and every time we let down our fellow Americans… we take liberty and justice out of the question. So no; America is not the greatest country in the world. But we sure can be.
America’s best days are yet to come. I know that we can reach liberty and justice for all if we take the proper precautions. It will not come easy, but it is not far-fetched. We have to restore the American Dream for all citizens of the US — not just those at the top. The American Dream drives our country’s greatness… and we have the potential to be great. We have the potential to be the greatest. Together, united, I know that we can make America the greatest and most prosperous nation in the world once again.
