In chapter 11 of A People's History, the author indicated that because there was a chance for the oppressed to be rebellious the community( schools, churches and literature) taught individuals that to be "rich was a sign of superiority,to be poor a sign of personal failure". Personal failure?Well that is very discouraging. How can it be personal failure when individuals in poverty and working class do not have the adequate means to overcome? And although this was taught back in the 1890's I think this is something that is still taught to us today. "If we work hard enough we will get to succeed".In fact that is what the definition of an American Dream reads : The American Dream is an idea which suggests that all people can succeed through hard work, and that all people have the potential to live happy, successful lives. As you can see the definition does not include all the obstacles one can have and how a person does not have all the means to do so.
Herman Cain stated this same idea:
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/10/05/cain-not-rich-no-job-blame-yourself/
In this chapter we read over and over how the superior group did everything in their power and money to keep the poor poor and did not give them no access to become better or move up the ladder. Today we see that in government programs. For instance welfare benefits:A individual can get them if they have no job, but should you decide you want to start working they take benefits away from the individual.What other choice does the individual have? Work and not get paid enough to even pay the bills or live off of the government programs? Doing nothing, in this case, seems like the easiest thing to do.
What really is an American Dream? and what percentage of Americans even have the pleasure to say they have achieved the American Dream?
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil- 1 Timothy 6:10
Great post. What you've said is so true. In America we all believe that we can acheive whatever goals we want to, and from a young age we are always told to dream big and set our minds to it. The sad thing is how most people in fact don't get a chance to overcome poverty, no matter how hard they try. I feel like it's harder for some to get higher in the ladder than others. I mean there are some people, like Dr. Aguilar, who are able to succeed, but there are many who don't.
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