African-American Dream In Roxane Gay's 'Hear Me'

They shed a light on the myth of America being the city on a hill by showing how immigrants are enticed by the belief that America is the home of the morally superior and the home righteousness yet it treats its own citizens so poorly. Arnade builds upon this by showing how it's not only immigrants who believe that the American dream is flawed but Americans themselves. Arnade gives a few examples, one being Brendon Worth from Green Bay, Wisconsin who is a Native American who says, “To be free. There has been no American dream for me. I am a Native American, born on a reservation, and my people’s freedom has been taken away before, and my freedom taken away and I have been thrown in jail”(Arnade). Native Americans were the original people who were in the United States, and in today’s world they are treated as immigrants and are forced to live on reservations. Another example is Isaiah, an African American who has been through all of America’s tragedy as a colored male. He says, “What Martin Luther King said 50 years ago: The right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, regardless of your skin color. We still fighting for that now. We still watching our children killed needlessly for nothing.”(Arnade). As an American who has lived for a long time, he has seen America’s transition from century to century and has witnessed the flawed American dreams and it's hypocritical nature throughout his many years of living. He knew that everything that the American dream stood for has disappeared. He is an African American male who is saying that young African Americans are being subject to the same treatment as immigrants. He shows that both young African Americans and immigrants are taught that they can trust the

Today in America, some think the American Dream is fictional, and is exactly what it sounds like; just a dream. But the American Dream is achievable, and has been since the birth of this great country. The American Dream is an individualized goal that a person has which is usually very tough to achieve, but all have a chance to work toward it because of opportunities like high level education, jobs, and especially an equal chance to achieve one's desired life. America still provides access to the American Dream because regardless of background, current financial status, or race, the American Dream is achievable with hard work.

Throughout the novel it is apparent that everyday instances of racism occur, causing people of color to feel outcasted. There are two very obvious occasions where this happened. In the first instance two African American woman are in a workspace of primarily all white co-workers. When a woman they worked with got these two names mixed up, it was stated that she had a “fifty-fifty chance of getting it right” insinuating that these two women are the only black ones working here. Later, the woman who had the mix-up with the names wrote an apology note; however, in the note she stated it was “our mistake” and seemingly put part of the blame on the to women. This is a primary example of how African Americans can be thrown against a white background making them seem different than everyone else.

In high school classrooms, the memoir, Black Like Me, by John Howard Griffin, is being read and discussed by high school students. During class discussions concerning the book, there are many critiques that are talked about. At East Noble High school, freshmen are asked to write an essay forming their own stance on one critique. The critique that is handed out on the paper handout is , “ Although Griffin did observe racism firsthand, he can never fully empathize with the black race because he was only a temporary Negro for 6 weeks, knowing he would soon be returning to his white skin.” After reading the prompt, I believe that Griffin could fully empathize with African Americans. This can be evident by the many instances of racism he experienced viewed on his journey through the South.

After reading Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates, I felt that the most powerful message in the book was Coates’ assertion that African Americans are striving for the “Dream” which is in fact unreachable. The “Dream” is supposed to be the desire of people to live in a big house with a white picket fence and a big yard, however because it was built on the backs of black people, literally, it is not something that is a realistic goal or a realistic dream. Coates wants his son to realize that America has been built on the marginalization of black people and other minorities and that because of this, it is not a place which will allow races that white people have deemed as “lesser” to prosper. The first major takeaway that I got from reading

This denotation to the silent cries supports for an emotional appeal to an example of the silent cries in African American women. As stated in the title, Powell is aware that black women are merely being betrayed in the hip-hop industry and simply states that the choice of words that hip-hop artist chose to rap about is simply “the ghetto blues, urban folk art, a cry out for help.” (298) and it is rubbing off on almost every man in our American society and giving them a different perspective of women all because women refuse to speak out and speak up. “As a result, female rappers are often just as male-identified, violent, materialistic, and ignorant as their male peers.” (298). Over 100 years ago, women were not even allowed to vote, the closest they got to voting was sitting there and watching. They were not allowed to work, they were forced to be stay at home wives while their

For example, in an article titled “Inequality, Race, and Remedy” for The American Prospect, Alan Jenkins states “Poor people of color are also increasingly more likely than whites to find themselves living in high-poverty neighborhoods with limited resources and limited options” (Jenkins). This illustrates that an individual’s race can completely affect their home, job, financial situation, and overall way of life. According to this article, person of color has a higher chance at living in poverty than a white person does. This example shows that colored people aren’t given as many opportunities and as a result, it may be harder for them to succeed in life. The oppression they face is all because of the color of their skin, not because they are any less smart or human than others. The poor lifestyle is a result of racial identification and false labeling. People automatically stereotype and judge black people because of their skin color and often times it has a negative outcome.

are ideals used to define the American Dream. The American Dream promises immigrants and citizens a chance to pursue a better life, which is portrayed throughout the novel Behold the Dreamers . Behold the Dreamers , by Imbolo Mbue, follows the lives of Jende and Neni Jonga, an immigrant couple from Cameroon, who live in Harlem in hopes of providing a better life for their family. Throughout the Jonga’s journey, Imbolo Mbue proves that the essentials of hard work, education, and strong families are not enough for achieving the American Dream. Jende and Neni came to America in hopes of a brighter future for their family, but come to face with reality and are forced to make an impossible choice.

Everyone wants to achieve the American Dream. However, the American Dream is different for everyone. In the novel “Fearless”, Adam worked hard to achieve this. He spent many years working to make his life and the life of his family wonderful. Adam Brown achieved his American Dream by overcoming drug addiction, fighting for his country as a Navy SEAL, and being a good husband and father.

Another great depression would be inevitable if the US dollar collapsed because the mere fact is that most Americans rely on some form of cash transaction for their basic necessities. Very few live sustainably or better yet, self-sufficiently by living off of the grid system. If the dollar collapses we will have unprecedented debt to pay off very quickly and since most countries would not want to do business with the US, the US will drown in debt and have problems with civil unrest, as seen after almost every economic hiccup.Also, trade will completely cease with the US meaning that shipments to stores will not go through and that means that any citizen that is reliant on someone or something other than what he/she can provide will most likely

Smith’s use of personification when stating, “I’ve seen what they make of you,” represents that black boys are seen as mistakes by society. (Smith 1) Society sees black boys as a threat and when they are in a group they get shot down physically and mentally. Smith articulates the reality of black boys being unwanted. Smith’s use of personification when stating, “you’re lucky if they let you live that long,” demonstrates that the larger society has placed upon black boys. (Smith 4)

African Americans? To what degree do you think the author’s view is shared by others in the

Even though the optimal American Dream doesn’t promise that all citizens will achieve personal success, it offers equality and fortunes for them to pursue dreams through hard work. However, during the Industrial Age, the American Dream didn’t apply to the lower class. Most immigrants from southern and eastern Europe arrived in the United States to escape religious persecution and poverty in their home countries and also seek new opportunities. But, they realized the brutal reality after their arrival. As unskilled foreigners who suffered poverty and lacked experience and English skills, immigrants lived in nasty tenements located in city ghettos, earned little wages that at times couldn’t even enable the whole family to survive, and were taken advantage from bosses because of their naivete and lack of power. African Americans faced a crueler circumstance because of the long-lasting racial discrimination. In the 1880s, a number of African Americans migrated from rural south to industrial cities in order to avoid poverty, violence, and oppression they faced in the deep South. However, they rarely found factory jobs or professional opportunities. Women also couldn’t rule their destinies during the Industrial Age. Desiring to be more independent and provide financial help to families, many women worked in factories. Most of them experienced disadvantages, including gaining less wages than men did and experiencing sexual harassment from their foremen. Even though the federal

In the first half of the 19th century, Christmas was a very different kind of holiday than it is today. People did not have a set way of celebrating. Christmas was not even an official holiday yet.

At this moment, Kendrick’s monologue addresses the battle encountered by African Americans today and the frustration that comes with wanting and deserving more than they have. The backing vocals in this section of the song imply that American society wants African Americans to submit to it and praise it, even though many of them have suffered from it. This introduction signifies how dazed society is to the black people and how there is a constant battle between