American Creed
Introduction
The American Dream can be defined in many different ways depending on who you are asking to define it and in what decade they live in. For example, Dr. King defined the American Dream as a dream of justice, a dream of equal, fair, and equitable treatment for all peoples living in the US (I have a Dream). President Jimmy Carter wanted the American people to define the American dream according to the founding principles. Obama had a similar vision in that he believed that the American Dream was based on freedom, equality and opportunity and not related to stud accumulated (The American Dream Power Point). The original definition of the American dream was based off of the high to liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The American dream has changed and is now defined as having a house, car, college education and comfortable retirement. Again, I do not think any of these definitions are wrong, they all just have a different bias towards them depending on who the definition is coming from. I would define the American Dream as freedom, equality and an opportunity for someone to come out of their current situation to create a better life for themselves if they work hard in society.
Story of my Family and Community
The documentary the American Creed, directed by Sam Ball, had a great quote from Condoleezza Rice. Rice stated, “It doesn’t matter where you came from, it matters where you are going.” My family helps contribute to the American Melting Pot. My dad is from New Zealand, and my mom’s family is from Poland. My parents have worked hard to create the life that they live. They also have worked hard to give my brother, sister and I the great opportunities that we have been given in our lives. Both my mom and dad were first generation college students. My mom got her undergraduate degree from the University of Rutgers and my dad got his undergraduate degree from the University of Auckland. They always stressed the importance of bettering yourself through education. Deidre Prevett, a principal, at Lindbergh elementary school states, “The message from my family was that Education is the key to success and to better yourself” (American Creed). My parents preach the same message to my family. They believe that education is the key to success. They do state that a college education is not necessarily the holy grail, trades are just as great. However, they do believe and have engrained in us that in order to find success you need to be well educated. It is important to give back to the community. Success attracts itself, and when successful people are inspiring others to create better lives for themselves it is a trickle-down effect. I think that bettering yourself through education will help create a better life for yourself and others, which aligns with my definition of the American Dream and the theme of the significance in education and community in the American Creed.
Conclusion
The American Creed is a film that defines the American Dream. They do this by diving into the stories of Americans who talk about where they came from and where they are going to express their own version of the American Dream. A student from Stanford, Measha Ferguson-Smith states, “The importance of remembering where you come from. It is crucial to remember who you are, where you come from and the community that poured into you and to always return to that” (American Creed). Americans are constantly striving to better their situation by striving to achieve the American Dream. What they don’t understand is that where they come from helps give them the purpose and drive to help become their future, better self. Overall, when striving for freedom, equality and an opportunity to better yourself, it is important to strive for a good education and to give back to the community. Investing in these two things, will help attain the end goal of this sought-after American Dream that everyone is determined to find.
Works Cited
Ball, Sam, director. American Creed, www.americancreed.org/watch.
King, Jr., Martin Luther. “I Have A Dream” Speech. History Channel, 13 Jan. 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IB0i6bJIjw.
The American Dream Power Point. FSW.