Kiana K. Thomas C. Haines, Associate Professor Basic Writing, Wednesday (A.M.) August 21, 2013 I Am A Black American Woman Born In 1975 Living In The USA in Year 2013 It is year two thousand and thirteen. And, for my English, no my apologies, for my “Basic Writing“ class; the class must read and write on the great Mr. Langston Hugh’s poem “Let America Be America Again”. What the American dream meant to Langston Hughes After reading the poem, I first questioned the knowledge of a black American or perhaps an African American during 1935. I wondered this because the Americas are split in to South America and North America. But, I imagine, North America was still the “New America”. It seems that Mr. Hughes probably or may have meant. That in America during the early 1900’s the promotion and the marketing of The “New America”, was that any thing was possible. That “America” was and projected to be unified. Unified in its pursuits and efforts as a whole as a country. Mr Hughes seem to toggle through the dream and the actuality. Although that America was suppose to be unified and have limitless possibilities, that this “dream” only seemed possible if you were, possibly, in the right place at the right time. Or, knew the appropriate people to get what you needed or where you needed. It seemed that Mr. Hughes understood that the description of the America dream was grand dreaming. Pan to a street level, you know reality. The “American Dream” did not seem very obtainable by many who came or were brought to the “New America”. Perhaps obstacles were presented by many variables; skin color or perhaps by class status. But, the American dream did not always seem possible by all. What I think The American Dream means to most Americans. I think the American dream reaches more than just current Americans, although I question the wars that go on, and those who do not like America. But, for those who are born here and take the quest to become Americans. I think that America or the “American Dream” means freedom. To some, I think they are not aware of the freedom they have in America. Although they hear the “American Dream” is possible, they do not believe in their heart it is executable. I understand that obstacle, that is, blatantly ramped in black urban mindsets. I can grasp the concept of us divided in social and economic classes. It depends on the social class or economic class you are apart of, and desire to be in; the “American Dream” can range from bringing your family to a new country, to desire to be an American celebrity or one of the best black American female computer programmer. What the American Dream means to me. The American dream means that I can be the business owner that I am working hard to become. At the same time in these pursuits, I call attention to the parenthesized comments that Mr. Hughes used underneath the passages. Although, I see the America Promotion and marketing, and am apart of it promoting itself. For North America, you know the United States. I am some times am jilted by the obstacles of obtaining the American dream. And, perhaps it is because I am black American, I wonder are my obstacles because I am black, or perhaps because I am a woman. And, then I wonder about my freedom. Is the pursuit of happiness freedom in itself? Is the pursuit of a individual plan that difficult and take that much work and effort. Is it not a factor that my peers, of European decent, has records of their family history? And, yet my family’s records as a black American is not in whole? How much does that mean to the pursuit of the American dream. I have an array of international friends, that continue to empower me and re assuring that the American dream is possible. Perhaps they came over in a boat, or climbed over the Mexican border barbed wired fences. But even with their international explanations, my rebuttal is, I was born here and this country does not too much want me here, and if melanin is any factor in telling me where my heritage is that Africa sold me. And, the American dream to me, is to be one day thought of as just an American, that I will be accepted and praised and appreciate in this country. That my efforts, if up to par, will be commended and scored fairly, according to fair scoring. That a black American woman has a positive representation here in America. That my people will have a product. That I am supported just like any other race. That soul food will be purchased just like Italian, or Chinese. That the southern black American cuisine will not be looked at as slop, but as cuisine. The American dream also means that I can be a power house technology and media mogul. The American dream also means that I will teach my son the pledge of allegiance, god bless America, the star spangled banner. And, that any thing is possible, that he is great, but not better than any one because he was born in America. The American dream also encompasses preserving the story of the American dream. Conclusion The American dream is anything that an American wants the American dream to be. That although America is still a young country, that individual dreams fuels the American dream and helps flourish our country. That although we are all subjected to our personal laws, and they can be obstacles. That it is still possible to be either a doctor or a computer programmer. And, heck if you just want to sit and live off of the system and see how much you can get living off of the government that is possible as well. That what you put your time and effort in to, you will get results of that effort and work. And, if you aren’t getting what you want out of your works you may want to turn it up a notch to get what you desire. And, you may have to change or amend a law or two, but any thing in America is possible. I think that the American dream remains the same as it was during Mr. Hughes 1935 poem. I tend to think as a black woman, so as a black woman, a black mother. We have come a long way and have a long way to go, to feel fairly treated in America. Some on our responsibility, and some on the responsibilities of our American peers. As an American I am so proud to be an American, and because I now have international friends, I now wonder about the wars (how the American dream impedes on other countries), and are we truly bullies. But, as American I bleed red, white and blue. I see the American dreams every day, and every four years in the Olympics, in new technologies, cars that drive them selves and cars that drive and fly. I see it every day I make it to school being a single parent and comparing myself to an Iraqi or Yemeneese woman. I could go on and on about the American dream, but I’ll just say it still exist and it is still thriving and I plan to teach my son to pass it along as well.
Posted on: Fri, 23 Aug 2013 18:40:23 +0000