“The American Dream is the ideals of freedom, equality and opportunity, traditionally held to be available to every American” (Dictionary.com). It was believed to be a life of material happiness and comfort. Nowadays, The American Dream is nothing more than a mere stipulation. Bob Herbert and Cal Thomas are two individuals that bring up quite a few key points in their arguments pertaining to the American Dream and the economy. While one focuses in on how we as Americans had a huge hand in the current crisis of our “hidden” reality, the other focuses in on the government’s hand in this affair as to cause him to actually question is the American Dream really over?
Repeating a phrase before each clause is called anaphora. In one of his paragraphs, Obama repeats the word “to” to bring parallel structure. When he says “The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift” he is making himself seem powerful and influential (Barack Obama's Inaugural Address 1). He is explaining his desires for the country in a list that is easy to understand and is influential. Another area where he repeats his words is towards the end of the speech when he proclaims “This is the price and the promise of citizenship… This is the source of our confidence… This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed…” (Barack Obama's Inaugural Address 4).
A poet once said, “Unity is strength... when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.” There are two documents in American History that truly made America what it is today. Common Sense by Thomas Paine was inspiring to many American colonists as it was persuasive in showing how the colonists should have their own independence. Paine appealed the average citizen’s rationale, hence the title common sense. Paine’s pamphlet illustrates the importance of independence, and argues that colonial life under British rule was detrimental to America’s potential to become prosperous. In a fairly lengthy, but readable style, Paine discusses the differences between democracies and monarchies, specifically Great Britain’s.
He sees America as the land where the rich, the poor, homosexuals, bisexuals, blacks, whites, and Hispanics all live in harmony. But today, it is obvious to see that the “glimmer” of the utopian American society is not what it seems. Although liberty and justice for all is guaranteed by our constitution, I don’t believe it exists equally for all segments of our population. What does it mean to live in a country with “Liberty and Justice for all?” Does it mean that everyone who is and American has the right to be what they want? Well by reading Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream Speech,” I have come to realize the way that people view things in today’s society.
Both Dr. King and Malcolm X set out to bring a sense of confidence to blacks all over the United States. Their main purpose was to help instill black’s power and strength so that they could overcome racial disparity and prejudice that surrounded them, but both of them had very unique and distinct different ways of promoting their message. Martin was more geared and focused on equality and wellness of the world as a whole, a Malcolm X’s personal interpretation of the world was very well blinded by anger, bitterness, and the desire to get revenge at the expense of the world that he thought treated him unfairly.
history that all men were created equal. Their dream and vision of a future without racial divisions during their era became a reality to its certain extent. We finally had the first African American president in U.S. history. Hughes believed that his “Dream is Almost Dead,” because America had been a place of slavery, poverty, oppression, and lies, yet he was still hopeful to see America the way he always wanted to be, a homeland where everyone could be free. He asserted that their pain and sufferings can be improved as long as they work together and strive harder to build the America of their dreams.
It was a time where we needed something new and something to push us forward in the future. The inequality in America that Obama spoke of being th... ... middle of paper ... ... in those times. Obama wouldn’t be in the place where he is now and the two complimented each other quite well in changing America for the better. I feel as if both speakers are effective in their own way, they are effective speakers because look at they change both have brought upon this country. King gave that generation hope and spirit, because all had lost hope at that time.
Everyone can give a speech, yet not everyone can draw the reader’s attention, sell their words, and gain attractions from the audience. A great speaker is known for his usage of appeals. The United States is founded on an idea which is classified as the American dream. This notion of the American dream, which has evolved through the years, is bonding the common thread of the hope for a better future. The American dream is a striving constant through this country’s history because of the unyielding power of hope.
T... ... middle of paper ... ...dence. For example, the “inalienable rights Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” and their “divine rights.” He also referenced values are added to American ethos that were more relevant to his era. For example, he view that America cares for its youth and. He also boldly depicted ill of past presidents that detach from American ethos. For example, how “Washington has turned American ethics on its head.” I have always wondered what America would be like if all of our government consistently followed American ethos and made decisions based on the voice of the people instead of their own opinions.
The Letter from Birmingham by Martin Luther King Jr. is a great piece of history that showed what he hoped his vision would some day be. King’s efforts were to try and get the white men to see black men as their equals, as he explained to the whites that blacks are human and not outcasts. Points were made by King that blacks have families; a mother, a father, daughters, sons, just as the whites do except they were being treated unjustly. King believed in order to have a successful integrated society all children need to quit being poisoned with racism. In order to do this they would need the erasure of racist jokes or attitudes and show them a world where it takes all kinds of Gods children to make the world peaceful.