Keeping The American Dream Alive Is Your Responsibility And Mine Summary

“The American Dream,” states historian James Truslow Adams, “is that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement.” It is known as the common goal amongst many that thrive in America; although, that is not always the case. In the years since Adams himself first coined the term, opposing sides have grown to relate the American Dream with the corruption that follows its devastating failure, accounting for so much despair in America. They believe that people who live their life solely to achieve this “ultimate goal” will be overall unsatisfied, as the highfaluting American Dream is conclusively unattainable. However, in his article “Keeping the American Dream Alive is Your Responsibility and Mine,” author Cameron Smith disagrees, stating that we cannot give up our hope—it is our …show more content…
When explaining one reason for the division within communities across the country, Smith holds the media responsible for corrupting the thoughts of the citizens. Specifically, he states, “Our television, computers, phones, and mailboxes carry a steady stream of division... Each message carefully designed by consultants, ‘experts,’ and cronyists is targeted with laser precision in an effort to affirm our own perspectives while subtly portraying our neighbors and aspiring public servants as potential enemies that would take from [us]” (Smith). Essentially, he is alluding to the fact that though different forms of media were invented to improve communication amongst its users, it is actually inhibiting that intended use and further corrupting the people’s ability to trust. The irony that Smith points out is critical to understanding what exactly is hindering progression towards a future of instilled American pride. After all, “America the Coward” does not sound as intimating and confident as its opposite—America the