We've now spent three weeks reading material and discussion how people look at the American dream. We've also talked about elements of fiction and you've started reading your own books.
For this blog assignment, I'd like you to comment on the different writer's perspective of the American dream. What are some of the things they wanted to see? What did they believe in? How are the dreams of these writers or characters similar or different from the way YOU plan to obtain "the American dream"? Do you think the writings show a change in the dream over time or has it remained pretty much the same? Has your definition changed?
As you respond to these questions, please check out what others say and respond to their comments.
I look forward to reading your thoughts!
-- Ms. Thompson
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76 comments:
In I have a dream by Martin Luther King Jr. i think that he just wanted his kids to have a better life in the future and not have them judged by their color. I think everyone should be judged fair and equal. I think from his writing the dream has changed. There is not anymore slavery and white and black people have joined toghther and become friends.
Alot of the writers wanted equality. They wanted everyone to have the same rights. No one should be judged by their color and no one should have different restrictions then anyone else. Martin Luthars american dream has in ways come true. Black and white people have come together and we all have the same rights and opportunities.
I think the American Dream is something that differs from person to person. My idea of the american dream is that we all want an opportunity to do well in life and be able to be acknowleded for that. The American dream gives us that chance to be different and to stand out and be noticed. It also means that everyone has a chance to be succesful in life.
The American Dream has definatley changed over time. Now peoples dreams are to speak english and learn how to survive in America and to be financial better.
In Malcolm X's interview, his interview really talks about how people are differnt and people need to learn to accept that. I think that was his American Dream
Cammy Martins
09/11/08
Period 4
i think they all had different dreams but all of there dreams could blend and they eventually did creating our government.
I think the most known is martin luther king jr.'s speech. it is very important as well. i look foward to the next blog talk to you then.
I think the american dream is to be free. It has changed because everyone is free.
Alisha Stewart
period 4
Martin Luther, Malcom X. chose to talk about equality. So that is a big part of the American Dream.
Other ideas of the American Dream are being able to provide for your family. You can come to this country and have freedom. But everyone has their own opinion of what The American Dream is.
They wanted us to see that it is not easy to achieve the American Dream. They believed that everyone can achieve the American Dream, but everyone has a different struggle. Most people talking about it are people who worked really hard for it and were not treated fairly. Everyones view of the American Dream is different because they are in differnt situations. I think the American Dream is being happy and do what you want to do with your life.
-Alex Schaaf
the american dream to them is freedom. my american dream is to be happy and successful.
Kiley Holloway
period 4
i think a lot of the authors have equality in mind when they wrote their poems and stories, one of them as mentioned was martin luther jr. he was strongly into equality about whites and blacks not getting along
thats what i think.
Most of the writers wanted equality for everyone. They wanted to have a good life in a country that would let them have freedom. The writers wanted to have a successful life.
I enjoyed reading the American Dream. It has taught me that everyone has a different american dream, its hard to have just one idea because everyone falues are a little different in some way. My american dream is really to have a family and a good job that I can help support my husband and family. But my ideas about others dreams have changed for the better!! ~Shelbie Humphreys~Pd.4
most of the writers wanted to have equality.the different writers were all different people and had different opinions on what is equality. everyone can have their own opinion of what the american dream is.
crystal chilson 4th period
The American Dream is different for everyone, for Martin Luther King Jr it was equality, for the people who fought in the revolution it was to be free and govern themselves. I think the American Dream is always changing, it is different for everyone. My American dream is to be succesfull and have a family it is different for everyone.
-Justin Beckstrom
The American Dream is what someone wants to happen in there lifetime. Martin Luther King wanted the blacks and whites to be equal. This didn't happen in his lifetime but it happened later. Martin Luther King was one of the main reasons that the blacks and the whites are equal now.
-Derrick Von Gunten
I think that all the writers wanted equality but not to the point of all of us being the same. We need to have equal rights. The American Dream is to be free and have an education.
The American Dream is about everybody being treated the same not different because you are a different race. I think things have changed from then and now because we go to the same schools and we have a African American running for president so things have changed a lot.
-Jonathan Valenzuela
I have really enjoyed learning about the American Dream. It has really shown me how different everyones view really is. My idea of the American dream has changed a little. I have seen how much we as Americans have and it has really made me be so greatful for what i have. Kelli Masterson.
In the stories weve read i think that all of the writers wanted some kind of equality. Like in the Martin Luther King Jr. speech, it was his dream to have every single person if they were colored or not to be equal to one another.
Um...... Both the Civil Rights activists had the goal of abolishing segregation and racism. They all wanted the same outcome but had diffrent ideas to acheive that goal.
Malcolm X used violence and intimidation while Martin Luther King Jr. used organized gatherings and discusions to reach an understanding with the government and racist groups to prove they were humans and wanted rights.
September 11 2008
Period 4
English 11
Well in "I have a dream" by Martin Luther King Jr. I think that he wanted everyone to be equal. Also to make it so everyone else has the same opertunities in the future.But after he was shot i think everyone relized that changinge would be better
The famous speech that Martin Luther King Jr. made has inspired many people today. In the speech I Have A Dream, I think that he wanted equality for everyone. He was a great speaker and his words where inspiring. He not only wanted his children to live in a society that was not judged by skin color, he wanted it for everyone. I am glad that i live in a place where im only judges by the contenet of my character. Thanks Martian Luther King Jr. i love you!!! =]
They all wanted to see peace in the country! They wanted people to be treated equal and have people all have the same rights. I dont think the writings show all the changes but there has been changes. We still dont live in peace but we have became closer to peace!! In Martin Luther King Jr. speech ha said he had a dream that some day his children will one day live in a nation where they are not judge by the color of their skin but by the character. That is example of things not changing, there is a lot you judging in our generation but not just on blacks on every race, religion, style, etc. I think that is something every single individual could work on the make the nation a better place.
In the i have a dream speech, I think that his dream is that he just wants everyone to be equal and be treated just like everyone else.
The american dream i think is the people fighting for our country to make a free and safe place to live
Zach Brannon
Period 4
9/11/08
I have a dream that Martin Luther King wanted everyone to have a better life then he did. i think he wanted everyone to see how bad the nation was. and to see how we could change it. and he wanted everyone to be able to have freedom of speach.
brandi leith
i love the story and the american dream!!! omg!! i read every night. hahaha!! i love your class. i love learning about dreams. i am a hard core dreamer. miranda uffens
I think a lot of the stories we've read so far has many different ways and ideas of the american dream. The most popular one ive noticed was equality, Martin Luther King Jr. and Malclom X both wanted equality for the blacks but went at it different ways. Another one i noticed was get rich fast and live very well for the rest of your lifes I think this one is the one is the one people like the most but its not very likley to happen, it could happen but it is very unlikely. Finally the last one i've noticed was where you work to earn money and eventually get rich and live well from that. I think thats the most common one im America today and probably has been for a long time. You usually have to work to get rich and live the American Dream.
All of the writers had the same idea about the American Dream, it just differed slightly everytime. The image of the American Dream has changed a little over time but still is the same gereral idea. I plan on pursuing the American Dream by choosing the career i want and the lifestyle i want.
Martin Luther king Jr. wanted equal rights for his people so i think the american dream is to have freedom and have equal rights and that no one will be judged by how they look or by the color of there skin and so that everyone can live together and not judged eachother. (TeddyBear):)
I think everyones perspective of the American Dream is different. In the short story Chasing an American Dream, They Gather on a Corner in Brooklyn they are immigrants from different countries trying to support their families. I think the authors of these stories are trying to let us look inside the lives of these people and the struggles they are going through. I think a lot of the time we don't think about everything other people are going through. We get so caught up in our own lives and its hard to think about other things. I think that is why these authors wrote these stories to help us better understand other problems in the world.
The American Dream is the idea of a free nation that is equal through its diversity. All of the authors work that we have read talks about equality. Martin Luther King Jr. wanted equality. The All-American Slurp describes the difference between two cultures and how they can unite and get through diversity. Living in a country where you can be who you want to be is a great thing. I think that we all sometimes take America for granted.
I think that the american dream is to have lots of oppurtunities and live life to the max! Also to have fun while your doing it
-Nathan Shutt
9/12/08
5th per.
my thought on the american dream is still the same as it was on the first day. i think the american dream does change though, as time changes because things change in the world. in the storys the writers wanted peace and the same rights.
-carinne coesens pd.5
In Harrison Bergeron I think that his idea was that everyone were to be created equal, but he showed it to the extreme. Everyone had the ability to do anything, and look just like everyone else. You couldn't be individual, you had to look and think just like everyone else. I dont really think that, that type of equality is fair. You have to be able to Succeed at something, and not be just like everyone else.
I think that all of the stories have good meanings to them; such as the Herrison Bergeron story.It tells a story about how people in the future have to be exactly the same with no happy personalities. If that happend right now, it would seriously suck. I would hate to be exactly the same as everyone else. Peoples personalities is what makes them who they are. They can be whoever they want to be.
Everyone has a different perspective on the American Dream. In my opinion, i think the American Dream would to have no problems in life. Just to always be happy. I think there should still be competions and rules in life but all the other things i could honestly care less about.
My thought about the american is... The white and the blacks will get along and treat each other with respect. We should all be nice. No one should have different restrictions than others.
The American dream has improved more than it use to be but there is still room to improve.
Ashley Burnetttttttt
Period 6th
All that Martin Luther King Jr. wanted is that all blacks should have their freedom and their right so that they could live their American Dream.
i think that Martin Luther King Jr. wanted the world to be a better place. I think that he has influenced the world for the better.
i think matin luther ment in his speech that he wants a better environment for his family
All the writers believed in equallity and having rights, and the declaration, and knowing your safe all the time. MLK Jr. believed that EVERYONE should be created and treated equally by peacefully breaking the law. Malcom X believed in only breaking the law in extreme situations but also being violent. They were both very similar but they were both very critical of eachother, the way my definition is changed is, my american dream is not to be rich anymore, or to have a big home. It's that people come here to be free, and america is what people dream of, I think mostly all americans have the american dream cause we are all free and have our rights, and we can choose our religion and who we marry. No matter the color or race.
i have been okay with the class so far. looking forward to the rest of the year with u. i enjoyed reding the martin luther king story it had a great story.
The most popular opinion on the American dream so far has been equality under the law but, like in 'Harrison Bergeron', if everyone was forced to have the same abilities and talents everyone would be literally equal but it would take away the individuality that everyone has. The American dream to me is being equal, but not exactly the same because we can't consider ourselves living in a free country if everyone were forced to have handicaps just to fit into society.
Dilan Foutz 7th Period 9/12/08
The American Dream is to FREE
The American Dream is to be free of speech and those things. I think everybody should be equal in there own different ways. Everybody is becoming more equal day by day.
Zach Zdunich
I think the american dream is to Get Rich Or Die Tryn.
Most of the writers wanted to see a change in how everyone is treated. They wanted everyone to have the same rights. The dreams these writers have are very similar to mine, because i don't think it's fare that some people get treated differently just because of their skin color or what they belive in. To me that's wrong.I think the writings have shown change, because if the writers didn't write them then the dream wouldn't be real.
Krysta Church
I think that the dreams they had was to have equality in all things. To have the same oppertunites and consequences. It's changed because all of us do have the same oppertunites even if we don't thing we do. My dream is to be successful. To be able to have a good career and to be able to have a family. To be able to fufull the resposiblities I have. To be able to be free to choose for myself not have others make me choose or do something that I don't want or need to do.
When Martin Luther gave his speech I have a dream, I think he wanted everyone to be equal, and to not be judged. I think he believed in everyone having the same chances and opportunity. This dream is similar and different than the way I want to achieve the American dream by treating everyone fairly. I think some of the stories have changed the way we look at things, for example Malcomn X and Martin Luther's stories have given people a different way of looking at things.
I think that most of the writers or characters had similar thoughts on the subject of equality. For example, one person being used a lot in these comments is Martin Luther King, Jr., I think that he is a great example for the american dream because he helped others and himself to stand up for what they believe in. He said that we all should be treated equally in the sense of justice and the rights we have in this country. Also, I agree with Christian per.5 because I think that we sometimes do take America for granted. People need to realize what we have here. Yeah, everyone thinks we have a messed up government and all that. But is that really what it's all about? What about the actual freedoms we have here? So many people around the world are fighting for those rights which they should have had since birth. We have a lot of those freedoms just because this is where we are born. Not many people get that oppuratunity in the world today. However, i am not saying that we should be "equal" to the extents listed in the Harrison Burgeron story. If our world was like that, would we really be happy? There wouldn't be any progression in technology (that would mean no more new cell phones, or ipods) and soon everything would outdate and be totally useless. No one would be your favorite sports star, your favorite singer, dancer, writer, actor/actress, because they would all be the same!! It would be a pretty boring world in my opinion.
Sorry you guys. That was a pretty long comment.
Everybody has there own ways like Martin Luther King how he wanted everything to be not so judgemental all the time on black people. So everybody has the right to do what they want to do but their are limits to on what you should say around other people. But Martin Luther King wanted to do the best that he can and try to make things happen.
- Emily Talbot pd7
Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X both had the dream of equality. They wanted to see blacks and whites working together in a community. They believed all men were equal.I agree with them. My dream is similar. I believe in maintaining equality. My dream is different because times have changed so the demand for equality isn't as great. The dream has changed over time. Blacks and Whites are equal.My dream has changed over time also. As i grow older my priorities change. Other things become more important to have a successful future. --Tess Nell period 5
I hope Obama wins the election because it will be a real step up for this nation, it used to be no blacks go into certain bathrooms now there is one that has an excellent chance of winning. That is probably what Martin Luther King Jr. wanted and Malcom X. >Gerardo Flores<
nice one erin
gerardo flores
In most of the articles we have read so far in class most of the writers all beleived in and wanted to see equality for every type of person in America and have equal rights. they also believed that no matter who you were you should be treated equally. I think that the American dream has changed over time because we all have the same rights in the law and education systems in America and we have been able to put are differences aside and be friends with all sorts of people. My definition of the American dream hasn't quite changed yet.
-Kandace Stapley period 4
What i think about the different views of the American Dreams are that in the American slurp their dream was to come here and discover different things to meet new people and learn our ways of doing things.Martin Luther King Jr wanted so that we could all be equally alike but didnt want to do it with violence.When Malcom X was the opposite of Martins speech. People usually come to America to get better and new lifes, if that means new jobs,being able to be free and live for what you really are and also not to be judged.My American dream is to make my career goal in life.So that i can grow up and be a great person and safe lives of young ones everyday and to know that i did it.My view on the american dream has changed sense Martin Luther gave his speech because now we are equal with everybody doesn't matter what color their skin is.We have all come together and are friends.
All the writer's percpectives are based upon one thing. They all wanted to be free. Matin Luther King wanted everyone to be equal, blacks and whites. Malcalm X thought different. He thought that the blacks should have more right than the whites. In some ways i believe the same as Martin Luther King.I think to achieve the American Dream you need to be equal, but i also believe you need to work for the American Dream. You cant just expect to have the American Dream with out working for it. I think over time everyones opinions change.
I think in most of the stories in The Amerian Dream book are telling how they picture America to be. Because most of the writers in them are telling about how they think it should be. They beleived in a more civilized USA then it was in their time. One in paticular was similar to the way i see the American Dream to be and thats that everyone should and could have a chance to be happy, that storie was I Have A Dream by: Martin Luther King. He thought that everyone should have the same rights and be treated no different than anyone else.
Charles Cordova Jr.
many writers have talked about the american dream and how people can make it. also how it has change over time. the american dream to me is that people can be free and that they com to america to chance their lives and to make a better life for them.
shadyn vandebrake
I have no idea what im supposed to do on this, I think im supposed to say how and what guys and girls think of the Amrican Dream but im not sure, so ill just do what I think is right. Ok so the Amarican dream is freedom everyone wants it and thats what most guys come hear for but maybe im wrong. Equality is another thing guys want but it gose hand in hand whit Freedom I think.
I think that in most ways they author in every story always has the same ideals of the American dream. But with details they vary tremendously from why they are writing to why they think the way they do. I think the American dream has remained pretty much the same, fighting for whom ever to become what they want to become. They all want freedom from something: religion, racism, etc.
i think that all the writers had one thing in common they wanted us to be equal and not to judge people for the way they look and act, they may have said it and approached it in different ways but i think they wanted the same thing, they wanted everyone to be apart of the american dream. i beleive this and i think we should all treat everyone equal!!!
kaylee bowles per 7
I think that the writers all believed that everyone should be seen as equal. No matter how different they are or looked. They wanted us to see what people had to do to achieve their dreams.
I think their dreams has changed in a good way. We've gained so much over time by starting out with their dream. Well it really hasn't changed much in my opinion the only thing i think has changed is what you have to do to achieve the dream.
The American Dream is so many things, it rally depends on the person. I believe Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream for EQUALITY. All he really wanted was for the world to be a better place and I think thats one thing that hasn't changed.
We should all strive to make the world a better place not only for us but also for the people that live on after us.
The American Dream really depends on where you come from and who you are its different per person it might be based on religon, ethnicity, or even the sex of a person.
The American Dream changes with the times of the world.
I can't wait till are next talk ... thanks
Laticia Romero 4th period
Equality is not the being the same in every way. Equality is having the same rights and opportunities. Life isn't fair and nobody should get things just because others do. The American Dream is to have equal rights and opportunities
To me.. having the same and equal rights is for everyone to have the same rights and to be treated equally by everyone around you. In a lot of ways... in most ways in some places in the world, this doesn't happen. Like for example.. You have the candidates running for president, and there are people who stereotype Obama because he's from a Muslim descendant, and we as a people, stereotype him for that. And there is also Hillary Clinton, we stereotype her because she's a woman, and there are a lot of people who still feel that a woman shouldn't have such a high position, especially over men. And for a candidate who exited the elections a while, Mit Romney, he was stereotyped for being LDS, and we came here to the U.S. for freedom of choice, and especially religion. The equality is getting better in most areas, and it will continue to grow and grow. But we need to help by watering the seed so that we can have peace in our world.
haha thanks gerardo.
I feel that in the different stories and poemes we have read in the past few weeks all the writers had different perspectives on chasing their american dream.
some thought it was money others fame, but most just wanted to be able to settle down with their familes and enjoy their lives with freedom and happiness.
Everyone has their own oppinions on what they believe is the American dream. All of those people have their own ways to pursue their dream. Many people have multiple dreams. In particular, Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream for equality between races. I also believe that everyone should be treated equal, especially after everything we have to look back on that should demand us to have equality. We need to become unified as one and become the strong bound people that we have the potential to be!
Martian Luther King Jr. and malcom x just wanted to be jsut like everyone else and not have to be herast every minute. Thats the thing everyone wants freedom and im greatful for it.
Sorry Ms. Thompson.
Mine is kinda late, didn't really understand this whole process we got going on here, but now that i do, i like it :) and cassie says hi shes right next to me.
but i really enjoyed reading these short stories, but id also like to read stories from another point of view. they are all expressing the same feelings and what the goal that they are trying to obtain. i would like to hear from the people who grew up with slavery and racism and although they may not have been discriminated against in the same way most these writers have made obvious how did it effect them in other ways?? thats my question and response :)
byeeee
i agree with emily and i also think that these short storys are realy good
Sry mine is late i just got how to do this blog thing, anyways i loved how Martin luther King Jr was such a great leader i really enjoyed reading his speech!! And i loved how he reached out to people in a kind peaceful way even though there was some people who didn't want anything to do with him he still tryed his hardest and didn't give up, and that is why i look up to him so much.
Kristian Kaae
Period 7th
late blog :/
barley figured out how to so this!
hmmm
Martin Luther King Jr. gave an amazing speech that not only reached out to black citizens but whites also.
He made a big impact on the future, and the lives of many!
cassie sorensen. Period 7
In the articles we've read so far, people wrote about what they've wanted and believed in. They wrote about how they want to see the world change and how they want to see all of us have the same rights. The American dream has been changed over the years. We have made improvement but we still have to go a long way. We still have a lot of racism and prejudice in this country. My American Dream has not yet been reached.
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