the American Dream varies according to their unique ambitions, values, and background..
My perception of the American Dream is simply that you are free to dream, free to do whatever it is that makes you happy, whatever it is that makes you're life meaningful to you.. Although, society seems to be encouraging a dream of personal fulfilment, upward
mobility, fame, and fortune. In an era which has been dominated by materialism and conveinance, Britney Spears and
Starbucks, everyone strives to be bigger and better than the next person. We are a nation of consumers that have rapidly
diminishing ideals, and moral standards which we live by. People no longer worry about what is "socially acceptable",
or "morally correct", it's all about what makes a profit, no matter what the means of doing so. Scott Hamilton, a National,
World, and Olympic medalist agrees, "The American Dream right now is getting a little bit muddled. It seems to be caught up
in materialism. Success is now money. Success is now power and position"(Scott Hamilton 6). Going further, Olympic figure skater, Scott
Hamilton depicts what the American Dream means to him, "I think the American Dream is that you can do whatever you want
with your life. You can pave your own path, you can do whatever you want, and you're free to do that"(Scott Hamilton 4)
Fulfullment of the American Dream varies with each individual's unique system of values. The values possesed by each person will essentially define how they go about reaching their goals, and what they hold to be most important in life. Scott Hamilton expressed his beleif that determination and perserverence is the way to reach any goal in life, and seems to value hard work above all else, "...And you've got to fight for your place in the world, whatever it is.....And you've got to take a lot of knocks and you've got to spill some blood in order to get there, that's all part of the process"(Scott Hamilton 5 ). While I agree with Hamilton, and also value hard work, one value especially important to me is education. Americans have an incredible opportunity to become educated in whatever field they choose, and taking advantage of that opportunity is a key factor in truly pursuing the American Dream. "Knowledge is power" and is an important element to maintaining our great country, and ensuring that all generations to come will be free to dream as well.
In essence, each person's American Dream is a direct product of their background, and the way that they were raised. Clearly, Scott Hamilton and I shared simmiliar experiences as children while our parents instilled in us an eagerness to "always do our very best", and "never settle for less." (Scott Hamilton 2 ). Also growing up as a competitive figure skater, I too was impressed upon at a young age that no matter how impossible it may seem, always strive for perfection through dedication and determination. This seems to be a central idea in both Hamilton's and my idea of the American Dream. As Americans we have the luxury of "dreaming the impossible dream", with the hope and knowledge that it is in fact possible.
The way in which each person equates sucess, or defines the American Dream varies according to their unique ambitions, values, and background. Olympic figure skater Scott Hamilton shares many aspects of what the Ameican Dream means to me, while differing on others. However, we both embrace the idea that being an American means, with hard work and perseverance, our possibilities and opportunities are boundless..
