America has always been branded the land of opportunity, for at least as long as I’ve been alive. This has been heightened by the idea of Capitalism. However, it is harder to believe in that notion that every individual in American society can better themselves if they try for it.
in the essay “The Paradoxes of America” it highlights on the contrary side of the idea that America is not the land of Opportunity. In the essay, it brings up the main arguments that it is harder for certain people to become the “successful American” that is so sought after in society. While this is certainly true because of the structure of people and the ability to pass wealth from generation to generation I do not believe that it is a valid enough claim to disapprove of the entire system. However, the claim that the racial aspects of people being born with things that they can not control are a valid point. I believe that this negative externality is a core part of the system that needs to be fixed. Without the full completion of this problem, America could never be the land of Opportunity.
In reference to the poems by Whitman and Hughs, highlights the negative effect of the American system in the Capitalistic efforts. In the Poem “Let America Be America Again” Hughs says how America was never America for him due to the oppression he faced.
After reading all of the essays and arguments being presented I still stay true to my own personal feelings. Potentially I am too stubborn to comprehend the idea that America is not the land of opportunity. However, when I see every case of a self-made millionaire I can not help but inspire to be like those people and strive to work as hard as the many top 1 percenters.
I really connected with the last part of your post. I feel the same exact way about America; I can’t help but feel that it is the land of opportunity and that I can achieve the American dream even though I hear it can only be achieved at the expense of others. This is why I think the definition of the American dream should be changed to not be about lavish houses and cars, but about happiness, because everyone’s definition of happiness is different, not some sociological standard, if that makes any sense. Good job explaining the poems!
I feel like you embrace more of the American individualism discussed in the article because you value individual success and obtaining success through individual values. I agree that it does suck that America isn’t the land of opportunity for everyone, as described by Langston Hughes, but this is also why the sociological imagination is important when it comes to evaluating the success of individuals.