American Dream Synthesis Essay Sample

The American Identity can mean different things to different people. It flexes and stretches to accommodate people from all backgrounds under a few central beliefs that all Americans hold. Central to this identity is the American dream. Many come here to become an American, someone who believes in hard work and has the ability to participate in American society without sacrificing our individual cultural practices and values. However, they are not necessarily true for everyone, as many people don’t have the same access to the American dream as others do. Over time, many become disillusioned with the dream and lose belief in it. Our level of belief also makes up a large part of our identity. Expecting and fighting for access to the American dream is what makes us American.  

The American dream can be defined as being able to pursue happiness while your rights to life and liberty are protected. Specifically, it is the idea that any person can come to America and be able to work towards achieving their dreams without the fear of persecution. In her hearing before the house committee on the judiciary, Susan B. Anthony defines the text in the declaration to mean that we have the right “not to give the blessings of liberty, but to secure them”. This means that though the declaration doesn’t give us the rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, it does give us the right to pursue and secure these rights.

Throughout history, many people have cited the American dream to prove that they are as American as anyone . In 1963 Martin Luther King jr. express an entitlement to the dream in his famous “I Have a Dream'' speech . In the midst of the civil rights movement when African Americans lacked access to the rights promised in the American Dream, King expresses an entitlement to the promises made in the dream, saying “[The declaration of Independence] was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Additionally, suffragette Susan B. Anthony expresses an entitlement to the dream in “Are Women Persons”, saying the rights in the declaration were promised “not to the half of ourselves and the half of our posterity, but to the whole people -- women as well as men.” (Anthony, 1). Both King and Anthony express that they feel that the groups they represent are entitled to the promises made in the dream. However, it is a well-known fact that the authors of the declaration only intended for white, land-owning men to have these rights. King and Anthony likely knew this, but still chose to interpret the words of the declaration to include all Americans. By including themselves under this promise, one made to all Americans, they are showing that they are as American as anyone else. 

People also use the dream to prove their rights. Those who are not American citizens do not have the same rights as those who are, but they often still feel entitled to pursue the promises of the declaration. In “Two Ways to Belong in America”, Bharati Mukherjee explains how her sister, Mira, does not want to become a citizen but still expects access to the dream. In response to the Citizenship USA drive, and the increased scapegoating of immigrants in America, Mira says “For over 30 years, I’ve invested my creativity and professional skills into the improvement of this country's pre-school system. I've obeyed all the rules, I've paid my taxes ….” (Mukherjee, 2). Mira expresses that since she’s done her part and worked hard to pursue her dreams, America has to give her her American dream in return. However, Mira does not consider herself an American, nor does she want to be. She does not participate in American culture or traditions, and she has every intention of returning to India once she retires. However, when she perceived that the rights promised to her in the American dream were being violated, her reaction was extremely American. Mira expresses an expectation that America will protect her right to pursue her dream, and the author remarks that her sister “speaks for greater numbers than [Bharati] possibly can.” (Mukherjee, 2). Mira’s outrage was a reflection of the feelings of millions of resident aliens who felt betrayed by the dream. These people contribute to American society, so they they consider themselves as deserving of America’s protection even without becoming citizens.