Belcalis Almanzar's American Dream

The movie Avalon presents both sides of American Dream. In the beginning, Sam Krichinsky is ecstatic to tell the story about his arrival to America in 1914. He talks about the 4th of July celebration and his first job as a wallpaper hanger with his brothers. The Krichinsky brothers do the same work; therefore, they have same amount of income. They also live together and save money to bring more relatives to America to prosper. This shows that they have strong family circle and support each other. Times change and Sam Krichinsky and his family moves to suburbs. Sam’s son Jules with his cousin open discount appliances store. That is upside of American Dream shown in the movie. One can work hard, go on his own and achieve success and happiness. At the same time, that creates discontent with Sam’s brothers Gabriel and Nathan. Sam allows his family to cut turkey on thanksgiving before Gabriel’s arrival which makes Gabriel extremely upset. He blames this on Jules getting rich and Sam’s family not having respect for his brothers anymore. He also says that it is a tradition and sign of respect to wait for a family member before starting a dinner. This is a negative side of American Dream. Some of the relatives get ahead, some stay behind and it becomes a reason for quarrel. Also, Sam and his wife Eva move out from Jules house to live on their own. It is a good thing, because their families will be separate and have more space. The wife does not have to live with in-laws anymore. All

Tyra Banks was born on December 4, 1973, in Inglewood, California. She graduated from high school in 1991 and planned to go to Loyola Marymount University and study film. Unfortunately, before she even starts her classes, she discovered by a French modeling scout. Since an early age, she used to dress up in her mom clothes and pretended to be a model. And spend most of her time watching TV shows which are about fashion and styles. This opportunity opened doors to the success she owns. Now a day, If the name of fashion models mentioned, the first person that reaches to most of our minds is Tyra Banks. She is known for being a hugely rewarding model. While fashion holds the biggest part of her success, she continues to grow herself beyond that. Being an African American and being able to break the race barriers in the fashion industry, which was dominated by only whites makes her become an inspiration for lots of African American females.

When you hear a song that can make connections of all ages, and touch both genders.  Bodak yellow is the right song; Cardi B is “the hottest in the streets.” Her song, Bodak Yellow continues to change the world's perception of music. The New York rapper has officially cultivated her social media life of ambition and hustle into chart-topping success. Bodak yellow has jumped from number eight to being ranked number three on the recent Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. Bodak yellow has become a female empowerment anthem; the New York artist has recently remixed the song and officially dropped the Spanish version of the song. While taking over the summer; Bodak yellow has been played around the world and has become a world phenomenon. The New York

Being American ultimately means that there are many benefits and luxuries readily available for one’s use that other countries are not able to experience. From having the right to bear arms in our own personal homes all the way to being allowed public criticism of those in a government position, the opportunities are endless. However, these laws, as well as the Eight Promises of the American Dream, are not easily attainable by all. Jeannette Walls in The Glass Castle displayed, most notably, the Promises of Hard Work and Moving Up in her childhood full of struggle and despair.

You may know him from his Lisa Simpson haircut or his mouth full of 24-karat gold teeth; he is the 19-year-old rapper that is taking the music industry by storm. In the past, two years his music has gained national recognition and appealed to all types of fan bases. He is a force not to be reckoned with and his name is Kodak Black. He is the self-proclaimed “Project-Baby” from South Florida that is giving rapper a run for their money. Jon Caramanica, from the New York Times, described Black as “an unlikely savior for a hip-hop industry that has lately been preoccupied with melodic-minded Drake clones. Instead, he’s an old-fashioned literalist and represents the perennial power of grit even in a time that’s squeaky clean.” Kodak Black is an

Fantasia Barrino is a well-known singer with lots of talent and growing talent (Fonseca, 2006). She is motivation to the upcoming singers, teen girls, and music lovers.

Belcalis Almanzar, most known as Cardi B or Bacardi, was born October 11,1992 and raised in Bronx,New York.Cardi B’s nickname was named after an alcoholic beverage just like her sister Hennessy Carolina.Cardi B was involved in a gang since she was sixteen and spent most of her time with her paternal grandmother.She dropped out of school to become a stripper to escape poverty and an abusive relationship.She said that stripping was a really positive outcome in her life and said stripping helped by “saving her from a lot of things”.

In the essay, “Hip-Hop’s Betrayal Of Black Women”(221), by Jennifer McLune, she vents her feelings regarding hip-hop songs that are rhythmically diminishing the value of black women. She provides example on how the lyrics are being voiced and how hip-hop artists do not seem to care. Kevin Powell in “Notes of a Hip Hop Head” writes, “Indeed, like rock and roll, hip-hop sometimes makes you think we men don’t like women much at all, except to objectify them as trophy pieces or, as contemporary vernacular mandates, as baby mommas, chicken heads, or bitches” (221). There have been apologizes for what the rappers have said but nothing to resolve the dehumanization of black women. McLune informs the readers that hip-hop singers belittle black women and make them invisible. Jay-Z, a popular hip-hop artist is brought to center stage by McLune. The essay shows the example of a part of Jay-Z song that says, “I pimp hard on a trick, look Fuck if your leg broke bitch hop on your good foot” (222). This lyric is a perfect example of how hip-hop artist have no remorse in the words they sing. The hurt feelings and loss of self-esteem black women suffer, is of no concern to the rappers. McLune expresses that those who are underground hip-hop artist follow the footsteps on being sexist and using crude words in their lyrics just because they yearn and dream of being in the spotlight. Upcoming rappers want to be loved like Jay-Z and other famous notorious rappers.

I chose to analyze “Rich Girl” performed by Gwen Stefani. She is one of my favorite singer. Her rebellion temper and colorful style is capturing along with her outstanding voice. Stefani was born (1969) in Fullerton, California and begun her musical carrier at age 17 (Billboard,.2017). I would consider Stefani a performer with Dionysian influence. Her music has always been passionate and reflecting her life experiences and views on current issues. Stefani’s life could be described as a rollocoster, ups and downs that provide plenty of inspiration for her music.

What is the American Dream? Some describe the American Dream as a two parent family with two kids and a dog living in a home with a white picket fence. Others declare having millions of dollars and a beach home is the ultimate goal. So, what exactly is the American Dream? In the Conservative conference speech “We Will Be a City upon a Hill”, Ronald Reagan demanded that traditional values defined the American Dream while President Obama argued equality was quintessential. In both presidential speeches, they each discussed two vastly drastic interpretations of the American Dream however, their speeches both themed constructs seen in Jim Cullen’s book to support their arguments.

Cardi B's success is far from a fortunate stroke of serendipity. In the documentary "The Bodak Yellow" rapper speaks on how her hustle, massive personality and fashion risks contribute to her notoriety and two Grammy nominations last year. She also elaborates on people doubting her by saying, " I

The American dream is what makes people from all around the world to want to move to America. The American dream is what makes America wonderful. The American dream has been categorized as an equal opportunity to attain success through hard work. The end result of the American dream for the universal people is for that character and their loved ones to be living contentedly for the rest of their lives. However, this is not the same apparition that every individual has of the American dream. The American dream differs from many different social classes of people in America. Comparing the picture of the American dream between the upper-class, middle-class, and lower-class can result in different situations. All in all there are many different discernments of the American dream for discrepant social classes yet every American in their lifetime will want to achieve their version of the American dream.

American Dream: Noun, the ideals of freedom, equality, and opportunity traditionally held to be available to every American. That is the definition of the American dream according to Dictionary.com, but the American Dream is more than a definition, but a way of life for many. Millions of immigrants come to our country in search of this “American Dream” including my grandparents but more and more are disappointed. So does the American Dream exist? Has it ever existed or has it all been an illusion?

Rap music in general has failed miserably in portraying the true worth of a woman. Women have a character that men cannot replace in any other way. “Behind every great man, there is a great woman,” and I strongly believe this because it is very applicable in my life as well. I can say that my mother plays an important role in my life, and she stood behind my success till now. Being an international student in this country takes a lot of courage, but the support and encouragement from my mother has helped me every step of the way. She is able to do things that a man cannot do; to be the nurturing, caring, patient, loving, and protective woman she can be to her children and her family.

Queen Latifah is one of the first successful female hip-hop artists of the late 1980’s; born Dana Elaine Owens on March 18, 1970, in Newark New Jersey. At age eight a cousin nicknamed her Latifah, meaning “delicate and sensitive” in Arabic (Editors). Latifah’s career started when she was just a teenager. Furthermore, she is one of the most successful black women in entertainment branching out into other types of music, music production, acting, and hosting talk shows. Latifah’s hip-hop song called “U.N.I.T.Y” earned her, her first Grammy Award (genius.com).