The American Dream The Land of Hard Work and Opportunity...

The American Dream: Land of hard work and opportunity? Is the American Dream still alive today? America is dubbed the land of opportunity, but how much opportunity does America really supply to its citizens? Or is it that Americans just don’t have the drive or the perseverance to put themselves out there, to achieve what they certainly want in life? As Marie Curie once said, â€Å"Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that thing must be attained.† With a little hard work, perseverance, and determination people should not be afraid to fail, and should make opportunities for themselves. Anyone with these traits should†¦show more content†¦Pham went from the complete bottom to the top with a few, very big, risks. (McLaughlin 46) Another good example on how opportunity is part of the American dream is Oscar Carlos Acosta’s story. Acosta was a rather talented baseball player, the problem was that he had immersed himself so far into his baseball career, he didn’t pay attention to his school. He had paved his road to the American Dream or so he thought. Acosta made it to the minor leagues, where he soon tore his rotator cuff. Acosta lost everything he had, his family, his life dream. A second chance soon came his way, a chance to coach in Texas. He soon made a name for himself and rebuilt his life. Today he coaches the Chicago Cubs pitcher. Acosta is living his American Dream due to opportunity. (Rather 43) However, some people may never get the opportunities to achieve their dreams, like the woman in Nickel and dimed. Many of the women in the article were working a dead end, low paying jobs. They worked in terrible conditions and followed strict rules. However, these people may have been hard working, they did not make the opportunities for themselves, they did not risk anything. These woman stayed with their dead end jobs in fear of losing their money lifeline.(Ehrenrich 73) The American Dream is all in how much someone wants to achieve what they want in life. How much determination and perseverance they have is also a factor. A person with the right amount of each of theseShow MoreRelatedThe Dream Of The American Dream1047 Words   |  5 PagesThe American Dream is heralded and aspired to, by immigrants and natives alike. It is a hopeful belief, that although many believe in, very few achieve. This variability of outcomes is due to the American Dream’s dependency on ideals of equality and freedom of opportunity. These two ideals do not institutionally exist in the United States, causing its construction to be inherently unequal, as individuals cannot reach the Dream without systemic privilege and power. Social positions and historic contextRead MoreThe American Dream By Alexis De Tocqueville1566 Words   |  7 PagesThe American Dream is the idea that every United State s citizen has equal opportunity to achieve success through hard work and determination. However, ideas of the dream have evolved throughout time from the 18th century up to present day. The general population’s view and my view of the American Dream both have altered throughout time. My idea of the American Dream has developed from not only today’s views on The Dream, but also from the evolutionary process the meaning has been through. ThroughoutRead MoreImmigrants and the American Dream Essay1631 Words   |  7 Pagescommon, they all had a dream, that dream was the American Dream. In the present day the desire to achieve the dream hasnt changed. However, the idea of the American Dream, brings up a lot of questions. What is the American Dream? Who defines it? Can it be achieved? Lastly, should everyone have a chance to achieve it? What is the American Dream? When this question was asked on the first day of class, there were many different answers as to what makes up the American Dream. Some people said havingRead MoreThe American Dream : The Reality Of America860 Words   |  4 PagesAmerica throughout time has been known as a country for opportunity and freedom, where anyone can come and have a fair chance at living their â€Å"American Dream.† The stereotypical American dream is having a two parent family, with stable income, owning a home with a white picket fence with two children. But the reality of America is that this â€Å"dream† is achieved more easily by white men. Even though America is supposedly â€Å"The land of the free† and provides â€Å"Liberty and Justice for all†, these statementsRead MoreAnalysis Of The Declaration Of Independence By Thomas Jefferson909 Words   |  4 Pagess success? In an American society, there is an idea of dream. Dream is the thing whic h everyone of us need to have. It is our vision. Dream is that what you want to do in future to achieve success in your life. The dream is mainly dependent on settings of one lives and one’s social status. For example, The Declaration of Independence was by Thomas Jefferson. His American Dream, was to make people free from Britishers and to be treated equally. Martin Luther King, gave a dream speech call freedomRead MoreA Raisin Of The Sun By Lorraine Hansberry1581 Words   |  7 Pagesfemale playwright and black activist, spent almost all of her life dealing with American racism, poverty, and lack of social mobility. As a person who witnessed the daily struggles of African Americans, Hansberry wanted to expose the hypocrisy in the idea that America was the land of equal opportunity. As a result, in 1959, Hansberry wrote the play, A Raisin in the Sun, which details the Youngers, an African American family, who experienced racism, poverty, and the lack of social mobility dur ingRead MoreWe All Have the Opportunity to Achieve the American Dream Essay591 Words   |  3 PagesOpportunity is defined in Websters Dictionary as A good position, chance or prospect for achievement; which is easily connected to the idea of The American Dream. After all, isnt America known as The land of opportunity;? Most people came to America, and still come for that matter, in search of a better life through hard work and dedication to their cause. In Chinamans Chance: Reflections on the American Dream; by Eric Liu, it is stated that ...it (the American Dream) does demand the opportunityRead MoreThe American Dream767 Words   |  4 PagesThe American dream is defined as the idea that every American should have an equal opportunity to achieve their goal in life through hard work, determination, and initiative. The novel â€Å"Of Mice and Men† by John Steinbeck explores this idea throughout his story. Through the characters in the story, it shows the many different hard ships of each character trying to pursue their dream. John Steinbeck believes that the American Dream is a goal that every American has in life, but it is impossible to achieveRead MoreThe American Dream1196 Words   |  5 Pagesdifferent interpretations of what the American dream is, but most can agree that it is a concept that provides us with the hope for a better life. To some people, the American dream is about being wealthy, practicing liberty, to believe in any religion, and to have better opportunities in life. Throughout history, many immigrants have migrated to America because they want to begin a new life and achieve the American Dream. Many Americans can debate that the American dream is not realistic because the UnitedRead MoreThe American Dream : The Greatest Country On Earth Essay1627 Words   |  7 Pagessay the contrary. Yet there is no denying America’s greatness and accomplishments, is the American Dream that gives its country the valor and beauty it wea rs actually true? The American Dream serves as the foundation of ideals that cloaks the nation, and inspires the belief that anyone is able to build themselves a better future from the bottom up through hard work and determination by the help of opportunities and instilled equality. The United States of America is looked at as a world power with

Illegal Gambling - 3493 Words

The Case Against Gambling Gambling is impoverishing America. It is taking the money needed to feed and clothe children. It is destroying the moral fabric of our nation. It is increasing the wealth of the crime syndicates. Since part of the money is being used to buy off politicians, it is corrupting our political system on all levels, It is causing otherwise good citizens to enter crime, in order to pay off gambling debts. It is causing an increase in suicides. Because of the poverty and crime it brings, it is not decreasing—but increasing—the cost of running state governments, Here are facts you should know: â€Å"The gambling craze has swept the country with the avariciousness of a prairie fire . . The flames are out of†¦show more content†¦What about numbers games? In a three-number game, the odds of your number coming up are 1 in 1,000. In a six-number game, it is 1 in 10 million. What about â€Å"Super 7,† which is seven numbers in a row? It is 1 in 100 million. Then there are the race tracks. They are now legal in over four fifths of all the states in America. The owners of the track take 18 to 21 percent of money wagered. The bettor has a likelihood of winning only a 0.41 to 0.44 probability of winning. That is about one half of one percent! But, it is a well-known fact that when a man wins at gambling, he is very likely to stay in for another game—and then lose his winnings! It is no wonder that it is called â€Å"gambling fever.† It is almost an insanity which grips a person. What about slot machines? They help Los Vegas take in a yearly income of $3 billion from gambling. The typical slot machine has a payoff of $5,888 for every $8,000 invested over a period of time. Lose, lose, lose; that is what gambling is. That is the basis of its excitement. Is it exciting to lose your money? That is what gambling is all about. Stay home and you lose no money, but that is not thought to be as exciting by some people. Bingo is another great loser, but, each year in America, it takes in $4.2 billion. That is money taken from the pockets of the common people. And then there is the state lottery. The New Yorker magazine estimated that the chances of winning an average lottery is about 12 million to 1. Some things areShow MoreRelatedGambling : Illegal Gambling And Commercial Gambling860 Words   |  4 PagesGambling In 2006, the Pew Research Center did many studies on the average American and their gambling habits. Of these studies, â€Å"67% of the people surveyed had gambled in the past year† (â€Å"Supply and Demand†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ). â€Å"Gambling is the act of risking something of value on the outcome of an event in hopes of gain†(Schwartz). Gambling has become extremely popular and so complex throughout the thousands of years it has been evolving. There are two different types of gambling, social gambling and commercialRead MoreGambling Addiction : Illegal Gambling2199 Words   |  9 PagesGambling Addiction Walking into the flashing lights, the happy people and seeing people win; are all the start of a bad beginning. Gamblers have a different mindset them some and they need help most of the time. The worse thing for a person just starting out is to see people win because they believe they are going to do the same thing and even more. That is almost never how it turns out; it usually starts with betting small, but gamblers always raise their bets over time even if they are winningRead MoreCasino Gambling Should Be Illegal887 Words   |  4 PagesEnglish110 December 5, 2014 Casino Gambling Should be Illegal in Canada Casino when we hear this word the meaning comes to everyone’s mind- a place of entertainment, a place to try our luck, a place where we can earn with playing. In some sorts we are right casino is a place where we play game like a rolling of dice, playing cards, picking up team, all these games we play using money as a bet to earn more known as casino gambling. These games had meanings that were important to theRead MoreShould Internet Gambling Be Illegal?1191 Words   |  5 PagesGambling in the United States has become more than a pastime in casinos because the internet has been adapted to include online gambling. Also, gambling previously has been exclusive to adults; yet, more and more teenagers are participating in the worldwide phenomenon of fantasy sports. Personally, I have never found gambling appealing because I think that it is a waste of time and money. As it is, gambling has become a problem and will continue to grow unless something is changed. There are numerous Read MoreIllegal Gambling Among Canadian Adolescents2111 Words   |  9 Pages Gambling among Canadian Adolescents A paper submitted in partial fulfillment of the course requirements of Psychology 1170 by: s0458266 Shaylene Wall Lethbridge College Nov 28, 2014 Gambling among Canadian Adolescents The generation in 21 century live in an era in which gambling is legalized for those adolescents whom reach the legal age of majority. Their daily life revolves around a society where majority of adolescents consider gambling as entertainment recreational activityRead MoreHow Gambling Should Be Made Illegal1590 Words   |  7 Pages2010, the gambling industry in Canada was worth over $15 billion dollars (Derek Miedeva)! That means that thousands of Canadians gamble each month. Most gambling is done within a casino, consisting of slot machines, poker tables, etc. Another way to gamble includes buying lottery tickets and simply making a bet with a friend. People who gamble take a chance. Most times they take a chance involving money or tangible objects where each can either be lost or won. Most people think of gambling as a funRead MoreIllegal Gambling : A Large Amount Of Money Going Into Gambling931 Words   |  4 Pagesmoney going into gambling -more and more money has been spent from the consumer’s point of view – almost $2 billion -What are people gambling on? -Scratchers, 649, casinos → slot machines†¦ etc November 27, 2013 UBC and Gambling -BCLC gave UBC $2 million dollars for new Gambling Research centre at UBC Gambling in Canada -There is a large amount of money going into gambling -more and more money has been spent from the consumer’s point of view – almost $2 billion -What are people gambling on? -ScratchersRead More Internet Gambling and Its Effects Essay1006 Words   |  5 Pagesthe major reasons for use of the Internet. Adding to the Internet’s growing popularity for entertainment purposes is online gambling. Around the world, the gambling industry is growing rapidly by way of casinos, and most recently, on the Internet. Four years ago, there was one online gambling site; today it’s estimated there are between 300 and 400. To some, gambling on the net may just be an entertaining past time, but for many others it soon becomes a serious addiction. Approximately 80%Read MoreGambling and its Effects Essay651 Words   |  3 PagesThe adrenaline-rushing feeling of gambling offers people the idea that opportunity lies within their hands. Unfortunately, there are far too many consequences to gambling to even begin to count. To win you must play, and to win big you must play big. As more gamblers can recall their losses rather than their winnings, gamblers are often dealt with poor hands and must play the risky game to stay alive. Even though gambling has so many faults, some still fall under its corruptions because of gambling’sRead MoreThe Legalization Of The Gambling Industry878 Words   |  4 PagesThe gambling industry is growing rapidly in the United States as gambling has become increasingly more socially acceptable than it has been in the past. Many state governments, such as Nevada, have encouraged gambling as a key source of revenue, even more so after the recession we suffered in the late 2000s. Casino hotels, which account for the majority of industry revenue, have generally become larger in markets like Las Vegas, many generating annual revenue of about $500 million, according to the

Learning by Yourself or with a Teacher What’s Better Free Essays

Some people think that it is always better to have a teacher while others believe that they can learn better by themselves. In my opinion, the best way of learning is always with a teacher. There are lots of reasons for that but I would like to focus on three of them which I consider most important. We will write a custom essay sample on Learning by Yourself or with a Teacher: What’s Better? or any similar topic only for you Order Now First of all, teachers can give me reasonable explanations when I do not understand subject matters. It is always better to have a teacher, whom I can depend on, to solve the problem or to dispel my confusion. Otherwise, I would learn the subject by heart without comprehending its real meaning. Second, since an educational process is difficult people often make mistakes while exercising or learning. That is way, it is always better to learn with a teacher who will correct my mistakes and focus my attention on the reasons why I make such. In addition, dealing with students and assisting them gain higher levels of knowledge make teachers into people with a great deal of experience and erudition. I think that they can help me not only manage with difficulties but they can also pass on me a bit of their wisdom and knowledge. On the contrary there are those who think that they can learn better by themselves than with a teacher. The reasons might be that they feel sufficient self-confidence or they do not need any outer help while learning and exercising. Besides correcting mistakes and giving different explanations, teachers are valuable sources of advice and help. That is why, I truly believe that it is always better to have a teacher when I climb the ladder of success. How to cite Learning by Yourself or with a Teacher: What’s Better?, Essays

The power of words free essay sample

In reflecting on the events of my life that have impacted me, I returned to the night of August 1, 2006. I found myself in Row G of Radio City Music Hall in New York City sitting by my mother, not at all tired, although we had flown from Las Vegas to Syracuse the day before, and my family had driven five hours to the city for â€Å"An Evening with Harry, Carrie and Garp,† a charity event with readings by three authors. The excitement rushing through me kept me awake and alert; I was standing and applauding a tiny blonde woman with amazing silver snake shoes as she prepared to read. The Harry Potter series was my gateway drug into my intellectual puberty. I was so fascinated by the Harry Potter world that my mother began taking me to academic conferences focused on the books. Beginning with The Witching Hour in 2005, through Lumos, Prophecy, Portus, and Azkatrz in 2009, I have attended presentations about the Latin etymology of terms and spells, the mythical tales of the artifacts, and the idea of literary alchemy. We will write a custom essay sample on The power of words or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page These books opened my eyes to the whole world, and to knowledge itself. They were the stimulus that kept my brain working over the summers. More importantly, they helped me adopt the philosophy useful in school and beyond, that there is always another way to do something, or to perceive an issue. With uncertainty and doubt, comes innovation and new ways to look at problems that may result in new, different, faster and easier solutions. And all this came from a little â€Å"magic,† from a book that many people see as a series for children. Along with fans and students from many countries, I attended lectures about Ms. Rowling’s ability to beautifully craft the saga, with every painstakingly small detail connected to something else. For example, Dr. John Granger, a â€Å"Potter Pundit† who has written several critical and religious-based analyses of the books, reminded the audience that Harry’s (and his mother Lily’s) green eyes owe a literary debt to Dante’s Beatrice. From Jonathan Swift to Chaucer to Dickens and Austin, I learned that like all great books, Rowling’s stories fostered a connection across mind, body, and soul. Although the series has been criticized by those who believe it corrupts children and teaches witchcraft, I was able to hear discussions by those who purported that, like the Bible, these books teach wonderful messages if one goes beyond the literal level to the allegorical. It is my generation’s shared text; all college freshmen are familiar with t he stories, and that gives us a set of common beliefs and ideas that can serve as a springboard to new learning. As I sat surrounded by avid fans and scholars of John Irving, Steven King, and J.K. Rowling, it gave me hope that this country will not be consumed by the mundane. With so much emphasis on physical aspects of life, and the material and sexual focus of the messages thrown at us by the media, it would be easy to become jaded or depressed. But I am not worried. I have been surrounded by 6000 people, all of whom paid good money, not for a sporting event or a concert, but to hear authors read their work. I have evidence that words on a page can change not only my life, but the world.