quickwrite #6

So, what do you think? Based on the texts by Chopin, Cleaver, King, Newton, and Tan, the documentary The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution, and your experience/observation, how do you define the twentieth/twenty-first century definition of the American Dream in light of the minority American experience?

I think that the minority experience and "American Dream" are in many ways similar but adopted differently in a modern atmosphere. Many desire the ability to thrive and gain success in America. However, restrictions and hurdles remain in place. The difference is now, many people ignore these hardships and continue to feed the perception that everything is fine. Police brutality, poverty, and oppression continue to be large issues faced by minority groups. This undoubtably affects the "American Dream". I think that the American Dream is different for different people, particularly for minority groups. For many upper-class and white Americans, they American dream is do own a nice house, have a nice family, a good education, and a high-paying job. However, for many minority groups, the American Dream is more to find security and equality, a better future.  Particularly in the late 60's, many of these people wanted a revolutionary shift in American Society. This previously unattainable freedom was still somewhat out of reach because of the power imbalance. Police brutality and the corruption of the government and judicial systems seemed to keep the minority power and freedom at bay despite their desperate desire. There is still a large criminalization of most to all minority groups in the U.S. The black community is deemed as thugs and low-life criminals, Hispanics and the Latino community are seen as thugs as well with a focus on free-loading immigration, and Muslims and middle easterners are seen as terrorists out to destroy America. Each of these groups, and more, experience unique struggles with achieving equality an the "American Dream". For many, I would assume as I cannot speak for any of these groups, that a sense of equality and respect is the most important. Without this, many will remain in the lower class and continue to struggle as a result of this injustice and inequality.