In order for American public schools to meet the changing needs of 21st century students, lead educators and administrators must reassess current practices and accepted pedagogies by analyzing factors which may be considered difficult or uncomfortable to address. These factors include issues of race, gender, socioeconomics, and ethnicity. The American paradigm is in a critical stage of flux due to vast shifts in technology, globalism, and social upheaval of the 20th century compounded by the sheer acceleration of these forces as the nation barrels through the first decades of the 21st century. The very ideals which form the collective American psyche now serve as points of contention and dissension as Americans confront social injustices, attempt …show more content…
Inevitably, the deciding factors separating the empowered and the overpowered are not surprising: economic status, gender, race, and ethnicity. Even in an age in which Americans pride themselves on being equitable, fair, color-blind purveyors of freedom and hope, Greene declares that “ethnic and racial prejudices are seemingly insuperable” (2000). As I read her words, many questions formed inside my mind. Is she correct in her judgment? Are human beings inherently prejudiced toward those who appear, behave, or believe differently than themselves? Is this our fate or can we intentionally retrain our hearts and minds to be better versions of who we already are? Are we fully able to consciously decide not to lean on presumptions and erroneous thought patterns? Is the “American Dream” a lost cause or simply a well-intentioned but misguided one worthy of close examination and reframing? The American public school is the ideal laboratory for this experiment in the possibilities of humanity – and the work is critical to the future of our …show more content…
Some of the issues she names are, “the use of drugs; birth control and the problem of abortion; decisions with regard to handguns; the predicament of foster children or abandoned children; child abuse; (and) the disintegration of numerous families” (Greene, 2000). The author goes on to assert that schools of the future must serve not only as houses of instruction, but as microcosmic societies charged with empowering students to go out into the greater world equipped with skills and knowledge beyond those solely “relevant to the larger issues of literacy” (Greene, 2000). I find this particular assertion troublesome because I do not believe these issues are new at all. If anything, I believe that today’s youth are more closely insulated from these issues than their parents were due to the many layers of prevention and protection in place within our society. That is not to say that children are always sheltered from these ills and traumas, but I don’t think the “good old days” mentality is accurate. Schools have long served as a bridge between home and society and teachers have long served as the hearts and hands of these schools. Conversely, I do concur with Greene’s insistence that schools reach beyond the confines of the traditional “four-subject” construct and begin to examine methodologies and vehicles for delivering student-centered learning and curriculum design.
In today’s society the idea of “American Dream” has become a controversial and widely interpreted issue that awaked opinions and research from professionals in fields such as Economics and Journalism because of the concept that in general the American dream involves. In his essay, “Hiding from Reality,” Bob Herbert examines how the achievement of the American dream is affected by the economy and quality of education in American society, and the effect of the inadequate utilization of the sources by the politicians will impact future generations. Despite his diverse points of view to determine if the American dream is still a viable element in today’s US society, the restauration of the American
The American Dream has always been a driving force in the lives of Americans. It has become a foundation of ideals and hopes for any American or immigrant. Specifically, one of the ideals that always exist is the dream of America free of class distinction. Every American hopes for a society where every person has the opportunity to be whomever he or she desire. Another ideal in the American dream is the drive to improve the quality of life. As one’s idea of the American Dream gets closer and closer, often times political and social ideals of America cause their American Dream to take a turn for the worst.
America’s public school system started off very rough, but through the dedication of many hard-working Americans, it was starting to shape into a system that allowed all children, regardless of race, gender, religion, or nation of origin, to have an education.
The greatest country in the world still has problems evenly distributing education to its youth. The articles I have read for this unit have a common theme regarding our education system. The authors illustrate to the reader about the struggles in America concerning how we obtain and education. Oppression, politics, racism, and socioeconomic status are a few examples of what is wrong with our country and its means of delivering a fair education to all Americans.
Gone are the days of legalized slavery, of Nazi Germany, of women being incapable of having a notable opinion. No longer is there a system of racial segregation adopted by an entire country, complete white supremacy or lynchings performed by the Ku Klux Klan. Yet, although we are no longer exposed to such past experiences and despite us living in a world where diversity is embraced more than ever, the existence of prejudice remains. Today we have universally come to accept multiculturalism, varied ethnic backgrounds and those populations who historically were forever stigmatized. But in spite of these developments prejudice has manifested itself in other, more subtle ways and no matter how modernized society become such unfavourable attitudes
The American Dream can be accomplished with the right tools. In “The American Dream” by Martin C. Jischke he states,“ I represent just one of many millions of Americans whose lives and futures have been changed by the power of education” (74). Jischke’s
... shining, his golden opportunity…the right to live, to work, to be himself, and to become whatever thing his manhood and his vision can combine to make him…”(qtd.in The American Dream). A person who “manages” to achieve his or her version of the American Dream is often said to be “living the dream”. However this concept has been subjected to great criticism because some people that the social structure of the U.S. prevents such an idealistic goal for everyone. May critics often allude to various examples of inequality rooted in class, race, ethnicity, and religion, which suggests that the American Dream is not attainable to everyone. The principles of the American Dream are too idealistic. Everyone has dreams and goals, but the American Dream is one that is infinite and endless. It is very difficult to live the dream when so much of it is obscured by the government.
Years ago, the United States of America was the prime example of prosperity and opportunity. In recent years, in the worst recession since the Great Depression, unemployment and interest rates have skyrocketed. The “American Dream” is an idea that was once a commonly accepted ideology in this country. It has since become only a fallacy. The “American Dream” is no longer an attainable idea, only a fantasy. The “American Dream” is not a true dream that will ever be equally attainable by everyone.
The American Dream is known to be a hope for a better, richer, happier life for all citizens of every class. For almost all Americans, this entails earning a college degree, gaining a good job, buying a house, and starting a family. Although this seems wonderful, a large amount of the American population believes that the Dream has changed immensely because of increased prices in today’s society, the price of tuition being highly unaffordable, as well as the unemployment rate skyrocketing and weaker job growth. While some American citizens believe it has changed, others believe that the American Dream has not changed, but point out it is harder to obtain.
The American dream is a slowly fading dream that seems to be escaping all the lower classes of American society. The American dream still exists if we examine it correctly. The dilemma with the American dream is that it has become so much harder to fulfill. Social inequality, along with a lack of social mobility, have negated the ability to accomplish this. As time has passed, the gap between the rich and poor has become larger and larger.
The American Dream is so important to our country and especially for our generation to take seriously. The American Dream is the opportunity to reach the goals one sets for themselves. It is about having your dream job and life you have always fantasized about. The dream is also about having freedom and equality. The American Dream was much easier to attain a few decades ago compared to today. However, it is still possible. The economy was better fifty years ago than it is today. People are in greater debt now and the United States is in higher debt than it was fifty years ago. The American Dream is still possible despite the lack of improvement within social mobility in American society over the past years. The American dream is achievable by being able to live a middle-class lifestyle and that lifestyle is obtainable through hard work and perseverance, even in light of obstacles such as racism. “The American Dream is still achievable, however, the good news is that people at the bottom are just as likely to move up the income ladder today as they were 50 years ago” (O’Brien 1). The ability to attain the American Dream is hindered by race, the middle class, and giving up facing adversity.
Everything changed in August 1963. America was mesmerized with the famous speech “I Have a Dream” delivered by Martin Luther King. People from all over the nation gathered for one single motive, social justice, and with that citizens of the United States yearned hope for a better tomorrow; a tomorrow in which they could see a breaking dawn to a day full up roaring opportunities for everyone disregarding their ethnic background, gender, sexual preference, or economic standing. This soon led to what is now known as “The American Dream.” America’s reputation for being the land of endless possibilities has captured both foreign attention as well as native patriotism. Success here in America is defined as having a good social position and a plethora of
Until recently the possibility of achieving the dream had been within reach. However, recently the youngest generations of Americans did not and are not growing up with this idea. America’s youth, made up of teenagers and young adults, especially those of color, are not able to reach their American Dream with the same relative ease that past generations were able to do so.
With America actually being seen as the land of assurance, the American dream is usually associated with the freedom and opportunity of gaining prosperity, recognition, power, triumph, and contentment. On the surface, this dream appears virtually delighted, offering individuals the exceptional hope of accomplishing success despite of one’s race, religion, or family history. The American Dream is accurately what it seems to be the chance of perfect lying nearby the corner. However, the actual nature of this dream prohibit the pleasure of the victory one has earned, as the desire is always demanding one to work a slight harder and gain a slightly more.
The Woes of Today’s Public Education The value and quality of education is different all over the world. Some countries are setting the standards for a student’s success and others are lacking in that department. Over time in America, the education system has updated and changed. Many agree that some of these changes were for the worst, though not all of them. At one time, minorities and people with insufficient funds had to fight for their right to be educated through schools.