Over the weekend I was moved by the following tweets of CNN anchor Soledad O’Brien:
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I’m not one for hyperbole, but looking around one has to wonder if the old rules still apply. We were taught that if you worked hard, obtained a skill or education, and played by the rules you could create a decent life for yourself.
But increasingly it seems playing by the rules isn’t working for much of America anymore.
According to the United Nations, American workers are the most productive on the planet. Yet these workers have seen their inflation adjusted wages decline over the past three decades, while the price of housing, food, and healthcare has skyrocketed.
And the rungs of the ladder that helped people climb out of poverty are being decimated. Since 2000 the US has lost 10% of its middle class jobs. State and federal governments have slashed Pell Grants and other college aid just as college tuition has exploded.
As the New York Times reported nearly 100 million Americans are now “either in poverty or in the fretful zone just above it.” Fifty-five percent of Americans now believe that today’s youth will not enjoy a better life than their parents.
Meanwhile, the richest 10% of Americans have seen their income balloon. They now control two-thirds of America’s wealth. We are increasingly becoming a nation of haves and have-nots.
Yet, politicians like Mitt Romney claim the President’s and much of the nation’s increased focus over income inequality is all about “envy.” Others demonize the poor while simultaneously providing large tax breaks to multi-national corporations.
It’s no wonder a Pew Research Study released last week showed that two thirds of Americans believe there are “very strong” or “strong” conflicts between the rich and the poor.
But should we be so quick to paint a doom and gloom picture? We’ve overcome similar tough times in the past. In 1920s wealth was similarly concentrated in the hands of the few as it is today. But an end to child labor, the rise of unions, and educational initiatives helped build a strong middle class.
It’s not unthinkable that we could again build a nation where all children have good healthcare, top rate educations, and the other tools they need to achieve the American dream.
BMWK, do you think America is still a country we’re everyone can get ahead if they just work hard enough? Do you believe the American Dream is dead or are you more optimistic about our future?
Dasugo says
The dream is we know it is over. The notion that you can DO ANYTHING you want if you work hard and be successful. I think the dream will have to narrow. IF you get into these career paths and work HARDER, then you might be successful.
Alonzo says
Yes I agree,
Now-a-days it takes planning, initiative and drive to get ahead. You can’t be lazy. But people like Lamar and Ronnie are showing that we are also entering a world of immense opportunity. If you have a good idea and initiative you can build your own thriving business. As Lamar likes to quote, “the gatekeepers are gone.” The internet and technology have leveled the playing field. We just have to take advantage of it.
Tjohnson3676 says
This is a hot debate and a very serious issue for the future. I have so many thoughts about this topic but What i know to be true is that the wants and values of the younger generations isnt the same as it once was. Even those in poverty are more concerned about self and not the majority. The desire to fight is not the same. With this lazy none educated group we are doomed.
Phontas says
I know a few a few educated lazy ones that do nothing to better the lives of themselves and that of their children. They’ve left children alone with one parent to care for in such a tough economic time. It is very sad to see the value of being a leader and investing in your families future has come to such a mess as it is today.
Alonzo says
I still have hope for the younger generation but I do agree we do have a lot of selfish people in the world, more concerned about what they can get rather than give. It doesn’t help that our media promotes this type of narcissism through the tabloids and television.
Tony Blount says
The dream is not over, it has naturally evolved for better and for worse. We live in a capitalist society, it is built upon having things “now”, living outside of our means and “bigger is better”. The poor try to live rich and are never able to become wealthy. They never become wealthy because the wealthy exploit the fact that we, especially African Americans, are deceived into chasing the image of the American Dream instead of truly living within our finances in the name of stability and longevity . All of this has led to the instability that we now have in our economy.
On the other hand, we have recently elected the nations first black president, first black attorney general, and first Hispanic supreme court justice. There are things my children can now aim to achieve that I thought improbable, my parents thought impossible, and their parents would have been hung for thinking.
As a people I think we have more opportunities available to us then ever before, anything is achievable but the margin for error is small. The economy will eventually equalize again, unemployment will go down for the middle class because they have had enough. Now that poverty is creeping out of the lower class and affecting soccer moms, and Joe the sales manager it has all of a sudden become important…. But as blacks we need to make sure that when the economy does pull together we aren’t left behind. We have been hit harder than any other group, and truth is….. it isn’t “our” American dreams that they are fighting for.
Alonzo says
I totally agree Tony. The American Dream is definitely changing and the economy will eventually turn around. But I am worried about our kids. They need to be prepared for a new world where knowledge is king. They won’t only have to compete with fellow Americans for jobs but with the Chinese, Koreans, Indians, Brazilians, and rest of the world. We need to make hitting the books as alluring as hitting the basketball court because the rest of the world is hungry for the “middle class” life and won’t mind running over less competitive Americans to achieve it.
Roger Madison says
I agree with Tony about the mixed outlook for the American Dream. As a retired person, I am able to look back over the path we traveled. The window of opportnity has narrowed, and what that really means is that are more people chasing fewer job and career opportunities. The dream for many — regardless of education or how hard they are willing to work — is beyond their grasp as long as our economy is on life support. The “old American Dream is dead.”
The new dream will have to be constructed from the new global realities by the millennial generation. Yes, to fulfill that dream will require more education, more skills, and continuous learning. There will no longer be a “cruise control” which allows some to relax in the comfort of their status.
The new American Dream will include multiple “jobs” within a career path, and perhaps multiple changes of career paths. The most valuable skill will be the ability to adapt and learn new applications of one’s portfolio of skills learned at multiple endeavors.
If the dream is to include a loving and supportive family, the notion of “I can make it on my own” will have to be abandoned. The one lesson that carries over from my youth is that “we were married first,” then relied on the strength of our union to get us through the challenges of career, children, and the constant process of maturing. It was our marriage bond that got us through the challenges. The more baggage that is brought into the relationship, the greater the difficuly of even crafting the dream.
For us, marriage was the best thing that ever happened in our lives. We recently celebrated 45 years, and still counting.
Alonzo says
45 years of marriage!!! You are truly blessed. I agree that the “American Dream” is no longer a picket fence, large house in the suburbs, two cars, and 2.5 kids.
Maybe that’s a good thing. Perhaps the American Dream 2.0 will be one that involves doing work that you love and that contributes positively to society, valuing human relationships as much as material goods, and living less consumption oriented lifestyles that have us acting as better stewards of the planet.
One can only hope but regardless to make it in the world nowadays one has to get an education, a bankable skill, or inner drive to create their own business or brand because we are living in a world economy, competing with low income workers from around the globe.
Roger Madison says
I agree with Tony about the mixed outlook for the American Dream. As a retired person, I am able to look back over the path we traveled. The window of opportnity has narrowed, and what that really means is that are more people chasing fewer job and career opportunities. The dream for many — regardless of education or how hard they are willing to work — is beyond their grasp as long as our economy is on life support. The “old American Dream is dead.”
The new dream will have to be constructed from the new global realities by the millennial generation. Yes, to fulfill that dream will require more education, more skills, and continuous learning. There will no longer be a “cruise control” which allows some to relax in the comfort of their status.
The new American Dream will include multiple “jobs” within a career path, and perhaps multiple changes of career paths. The most valuable skill will be the ability to adapt and learn new applications of one’s portfolio of skills learned at multiple endeavors.
If the dream is to include a loving and supportive family, the notion of “I can make it on my own” will have to be abandoned. The one lesson that carries over from my youth is that “we were married first,” then relied on the strength of our union to get us through the challenges of career, children, and the constant process of maturing. It was our marriage bond that got us through the challenges. The more baggage that is brought into the relationship, the greater the difficuly of even crafting the dream.
For us, marriage was the best thing that ever happened in our lives. We recently celebrated 45 years, and still counting.
Roger Madison says
I agree with Tony about the mixed outlook for the American Dream. As a retired person, I am able to look back over the path we traveled. The window of opportnity has narrowed, and what that really means is that are more people chasing fewer job and career opportunities. The dream for many — regardless of education or how hard they are willing to work — is beyond their grasp as long as our economy is on life support. The “old American Dream is dead.”
The new dream will have to be constructed from the new global realities by the millennial generation. Yes, to fulfill that dream will require more education, more skills, and continuous learning. There will no longer be a “cruise control” which allows some to relax in the comfort of their status.
The new American Dream will include multiple “jobs” within a career path, and perhaps multiple changes of career paths. The most valuable skill will be the ability to adapt and learn new applications of one’s portfolio of skills learned at multiple endeavors.
If the dream is to include a loving and supportive family, the notion of “I can make it on my own” will have to be abandoned. The one lesson that carries over from my youth is that “we were married first,” then relied on the strength of our union to get us through the challenges of career, children, and the constant process of maturing. It was our marriage bond that got us through the challenges. The more baggage that is brought into the relationship, the greater the difficuly of even crafting the dream.
For us, marriage was the best thing that ever happened in our lives. We recently celebrated 45 years, and still counting.
Roger Madison says
I agree with Tony about the mixed outlook for the American Dream. As a retired person, I am able to look back over the path we traveled. The window of opportnity has narrowed, and what that really means is that are more people chasing fewer job and career opportunities. The dream for many — regardless of education or how hard they are willing to work — is beyond their grasp as long as our economy is on life support. The “old American Dream is dead.”
The new dream will have to be constructed from the new global realities by the millennial generation. Yes, to fulfill that dream will require more education, more skills, and continuous learning. There will no longer be a “cruise control” which allows some to relax in the comfort of their status.
The new American Dream will include multiple “jobs” within a career path, and perhaps multiple changes of career paths. The most valuable skill will be the ability to adapt and learn new applications of one’s portfolio of skills learned at multiple endeavors.
If the dream is to include a loving and supportive family, the notion of “I can make it on my own” will have to be abandoned. The one lesson that carries over from my youth is that “we were married first,” then relied on the strength of our union to get us through the challenges of career, children, and the constant process of maturing. It was our marriage bond that got us through the challenges. The more baggage that is brought into the relationship, the greater the difficuly of even crafting the dream.
For us, marriage was the best thing that ever happened in our lives. We recently celebrated 45 years, and still counting.
Roger Madison says
I agree with Tony about the mixed outlook for the American Dream. As a retired person, I am able to look back over the path we traveled. The window of opportnity has narrowed, and what that really means is that are more people chasing fewer job and career opportunities. The dream for many — regardless of education or how hard they are willing to work — is beyond their grasp as long as our economy is on life support. The “old American Dream is dead.”
The new dream will have to be constructed from the new global realities by the millennial generation. Yes, to fulfill that dream will require more education, more skills, and continuous learning. There will no longer be a “cruise control” which allows some to relax in the comfort of their status.
The new American Dream will include multiple “jobs” within a career path, and perhaps multiple changes of career paths. The most valuable skill will be the ability to adapt and learn new applications of one’s portfolio of skills learned at multiple endeavors.
If the dream is to include a loving and supportive family, the notion of “I can make it on my own” will have to be abandoned. The one lesson that carries over from my youth is that “we were married first,” then relied on the strength of our union to get us through the challenges of career, children, and the constant process of maturing. It was our marriage bond that got us through the challenges. The more baggage that is brought into the relationship, the greater the difficuly of even crafting the dream.
For us, marriage was the best thing that ever happened in our lives. We recently celebrated 45 years, and still counting.