“The ideal that every US citizen should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative” -- the exact definition of the American Dream. The American Dream remains seldom achieved by today’s youth. My own American Dream embodies graduating high school, earning a full-ride scholarship which allows me to play soccer at the highest amatuer level in the United States (NCAA Division 1), and eventually playing soccer professionally.
Predicting that my college career turns out as a success, playing professional soccer in the overseas or in the U.S. will encapsulate my American Dream. Coach Pingatore from the film Hoop Dreams says “My mother, God bless her, she's always said in America you can make something of your life.” I can relate to this because my mom shares the same belief that when I put my mind to something, and work really hard at it, I can achieve it. Both William Gates (NBA hopeful from Hoop Dreams) and I know that …show more content…
A great example of this is in Charles Johnson’s short story, Exchange Value. Cooter says “...like Papa, he be always wanting the things white people had out in Hyde Park…” His dad’s idea of the American Dream entails obtaining the same things as the white folks in a different part of town. The promise of a better life for someone and their future generations is captured by the phrase “American Dream”. In Toni Bambara’s short story, The Lesson, Sylvia undergoes an epiphany regarding the American Dream. She realizes that her perception of money changes as soon as she enters FAO Schwarz. She wants more for herself than her miniscule, in comparison, penny change. Sylvia feels bad when Ms. Moore asks “Anybody learn anything today?”. Sylvia, like me, finally understands that people rarely are born with everything they desire. We both expect more for