The American Dream Dead, Alive, Or On Hold - 916 Words

The concept of the American Dream has been with us as long as we have been a nation. In Brandon Kings â€Å"The American Dream: Dead, Alive, Or On Hold?† he presents us with his version of the American dream. According to Kings, the American dream is defined as â€Å"The potential to work for an honest, secure way of life and save for the future† (611). The American dream may differ between every individual and how they perceive it. To some, the American dream is to have a decent job and to be financially prosperous. However, to others, having a job is defined as just living paycheck to paycheck every passing month. The American dream to African Americans in 2015 basically designates opportunity, that is the opportunity to make an impact in life through tough work and dedication. . To me, the American dream means the ability to be financially stable and the liberation for the nightmares of racial strife to culminate. As Langston Hughes, an American poet, asserts in his poem â€Å"What happens to a dream deferred†, â€Å"Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun or fester like a sore and then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar cover- like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags like a heavy load. Or does it explode† Hughes describes what a dream is when it’s delayed. It’s like the American dream becomes a nightmare when there is no hope, to dream, or for example, if there is no way to gain financial stability. Then people will commence to defer their dreams and there would be anShow MoreRelatedThe American Dream : Dead, Alive, Or On Hold?1104 Words   |  5 Pagesworks, The American Dream: Dead, Alive, or on Hold?, debates his interpretation of the notion of the American Dream and whether the concept is dead, alive, or on hold. The speaker emphasizes his belief that the common phrase is still alive within America and that one must work hard in order to achieve it. When it comes to the topic of the America n Dream, King will eagerly agree that the idea is still alive and thriving in the minds of Americans; however, I deem that the idea is on hold within AmericanRead MoreThe American Dream : Dead, Alive, Or On Hold? Essay1940 Words   |  8 PagesIn the essays â€Å"The American Dream: Dead, Alive, or on Hold?† by Brandon King and â€Å"Confronting Inequality† by Paul Krugman, the authors discuss a wide variety of ideas that affect or maintain the idea of income inequality in America today. In the essay by Brandon King, he clearly states that the values of the American Dream are still alive today, but are getting harder and harder to achieve for the average person. King argues that the American Dream of today has drastically changed from what it usedRead MoreThe American Dream : Dead, Alive, Or On Hold?1430 Words   |  6 PagesUnited States has a dream, or better yet known as the American Dream. What is the American Dream? Well, Brandon King, author of â€Å"The Amer ican Dream: Dead, Alive, or on Hold?† quoted James Truslow Adams, who wrote that the American Dream â€Å"is that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability and achievement, regardless of coral class or circumstances of birth†(610). Everyone’s American Dreams are all different, butRead MoreThe American Dream : Dead, Alive, Or On Hold? Essay1034 Words   |  5 PagesThe American Dream The United States is often referred to as a melting pot, and for good reason. America consists of a diverse mix of race, religion, and cultures. Immigrants have been coming to America for decades. They are in search of a better life and living the American dream. The American dream and what it represents has many different interpretations. However, most can agree that the American dream resembles a life of freedom, opportunity, and prosperity. Many Americans associate significantRead MoreThe American Dream : Dead, Alive Or On Hold?872 Words   |  4 Pages The Dream Itself Many years ago today, the United States of America was the prime example of prosperity and opportunity. It established America with the idea that its citizens would be guaranteed life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Today, it is true that people have liberties and are free to pursue happiness. However, in recent years, in the worst recession since the Great Depression. Unemployment, growing economy inequality, and medical care have skyrocketed. Despite the odds, the AmericanRead MoreThe American Dream : Dead, Alive, Or On Hold By Brandon King953 Words   |  4 PagesThe American Dream The American Dream is one of those terms that people refer to when talking about immigration, financial status, and so much more. But what does the term really refer to? People used to think of the American Dream as financial prosperity, religious and financial freedom, and all around success. Now, the term may mean something similar, but people are much less focused on it. If anything, the American Dream today is focused on gaining material goods and proving your bank accountRead MoreAnalysis Of The American Dream1063 Words   |  5 Pagesthe American Dream? Is it home ownership, gaining fame or wealth, having a great family or is it gaining a peace of mind? Many people have different versions of what the American Dream is, some people believe the dream is lost, and some people are right in the middle and still believe the American Dream is still alive. â€Å"The American Dream† by Brandon King debates about what the true state is left in the American Dream now. Throughout the essay, King asks if the American Dream is dead, alive, on holdRead MoreHow Hard Will You Work For The American Dream959 Words   |  4 Pageswork for the american dream The issue of whether or not the american dream is dead, alive, or on hold has become very important lately to the working class american. with trillions of dollars lost in the stock market crash and high unemployment rates.There is a nation wide panic on whether or not we can as a country bounce back. In fact in the article â€Å"The American Dream; dead, alive, or on hold.† King claims that the ideas of the so called â€Å"American Dream† are still very much alive. (King pg2 p1)Read MoreA More Perfect Union : The American Dream Essay1270 Words   |  6 PagesOn eighteen century America, the founding fathers classified the American Dream as an idea that everyone living in the United Stated had the chance to achieve the Jeffersonian idea of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. At the time the American Dream was supposedly possible to anyone who had the willingness to work hard and honestly. To the founding father s anyone who would stand by this saying would ei ther achieve success or be emulated for their efforts, even those who did not achieveRead MoreAmerica s The American Dream1277 Words   |  6 Pagesinterpretations of what the American dream is, but we all can agree that it is a concept that provides us with the hope for a better life. It is a dream of experiencing life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. 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 can debate

Analysis Of Josephine Baker, An Iconic African American...

Josephine Baker was an iconic African-American dancer, singer, actress and civil rights activist. Her rise to fame included her erotic dancing, her comedic expressions and her risquà © sense of style. She was well known for her â€Å"Danse Sauvage† and her most famous â€Å"Banana skirt dance†. She was a unique artist that differed from the rest. With that being said, I would like to focus the main aspect of this paper on her originality of tackling racial stereotypes through performing, her unique sense of style as a world-famous entertainer, and most importantly her evolutionary â€Å"banana skirt dance†. To begin with, Josephine Baker’s rise to fame began in 1925 as a dancer, when she moved from the United States to Paris, France where she performed in La Revue Nà ¨gre at the Thà ©Ãƒ ¢tre des Champs-Elysà ©es. She was an immediate sensation, because of her erotic dancing and sense of style. More particularly, Josephine Baker and her dance partner Jo e Alex performed the â€Å"Danse Sauvage† which is a French saying for â€Å"wild dance†. This dance performance was only the beginning of her long, successful career as a performer. Josephine Baker’s dance form was different from many other African American artists during that time era, which is why she was so heavily adored. On stage Josephine baker would dress in over-the-top outfits, most of which bared her almost nude. During the Danse Sauvage, Josephine baker dawned only a small feather skirt, which made her sense of style risquà ©, yet loved by many French

An Ideal Hero Greek vs. Roman Free Essays

EvansHUM 2210 REVIEW SHEET EXAM 1 LISTS 1. Features that identify a society as â€Å"civilized† a. Agriculture (irrigation) and breeding of animals = surplus food (goats, peig, cattle, sheep). We will write a custom essay sample on An Ideal Hero: Greek vs. Roman or any similar topic only for you Order Now Wheat, barley, rice, and maize. (SciTech- polish stone tools. Ex: stone sickles) b. Cities: large apartment settlements= standard architecture surplus manpower c. Writing (â€Å"gifts of the gods†)= records. Pictograph, ideogram, cuneiform. d. Institutions for centralized inherited power . – Priesthood for centralized sacred ritual – Kingship for centralized political and social structure (Paraoh= kings in Egypt) . 2. Geographical areas of early civilizations (Attached) 3. Ages of early Greek mythology to Ovid ( Poet of Metamorphoses) a. Origin of humans: sacred clay (wise and rulers) blood of titans (murderous and criminals), and stones(endurance) b. 4 ages as decline: Golden (peace), Silver (seasons farming), Bronze (war), Iron (mining, deforestation, crime). 4. Dominant and alternate cultural themes in the Iliad Audience: upper-class men Purpose: cultural propaganda. Greek Heros= models of courage skill to men (what to be) women (what to look for- sense of security). a. Dominant Theme: warrior code of personal honor and glory b. Contrasting themes: Family principle, simple country life vs. war, admiration of enemies. 5. Literary works by Homer Blind poet Homer – represents the culmination of a long and vigorous tradition in which oral recitation—possibly to instrumental accompaniment—was a popular kind of entertainment. Iliad, Odyssey. 6. Major column types in Greek architecture (know the parts) a. Doric: Plan projects strength, power. Useful for king or state intimidate? Temple to powerful gods. b. Ionic: elegant, sophisticated. Useful for gods and people of wisdom. Libraries. c. Corinthian: more sophisticated. Projects wealth and power that comes with it. Useful to imperial Rome to intimidate and amaze. Makes the emperor or state look all powerful, even if they aren’t! [pic] 7. Major parts of architectural buildings on the Acropolis of Athens (City on the hills. Ex: Propyleia Parthenon) a. Propylaia: Monumental entrance as the gate/threshold into the sacred hill. b. Athena Nike: shrine to Athena as goddess of victory. Guardian of the hill. c. Parthenon (the Virgin) East Pediment (front): birth of Athena. Born from the head of Zeus= intuition. Feminine principle of wisdom, sacred bird is the one. – West Pediment (back): Competition between Athena Poseidon for Athens. Ancestors chose Athen’s gift for the olive tree= they preferred to war. Athenians all sheer this wisdom and desire for peace. – The metopes (framed carvings on each side): the victories over the Amazons, centaurs, giants, and Trojans/Persians = justice prevails over brute force, aggression. 8. Major philosophers of the Greek Classical and Hellenistic periods Greek Classical: a. Moral: Socrates Dialectic Method= critical approach. Question answer search for â€Å"Truth† – â€Å"Knowledge is virtue† â€Å"to know the good is to do the good. † – â€Å"The unexamined life is not worth living† – â€Å"Produced skeptics (only believe what is absolutely certain) agnostics (don’t believe what is not known for certain). b. Social: Plato – Student of Socrates; Founded Academy in Athens, 387 B. C. – Theory of Forms: where is â€Å"Truth†: uncanning, state Level 4: Knowledge= certainties Level 3: Thinking= math geometry abstracts Lower Levels: Opinions Level 2: Beliefs (â€Å"Material world is true gone. ) Level 1: Imaginings (â€Å"Images [art] = reality) – Allegory of the Cave. Truth is painful. c. Logic: Aristotle – Student of Plato, founded school in Athens, 335 B. C. – Organ ized natural sciences into biology, zoology, botany – Theory of Universals: Inductive Science: Universals discovered from particulars, therefore studying the material world can (only) produce universals/ absolutes. Plato’s dualism devalued study of material world. – Deductive/Formal Logic for ethics and science Hellenistic: a. Epicuranism – Founder: Epicurus (341-271 B. C. ) Atomist: all matter made up of atoms so all forms are random; no controls – No afterlife: death= end; no judgment – Absolute free will: each creates own destiny; absolute individuality – Goal of life: Pleasure (hedone hedonism) *individual pleasure - society would crush Pleasure: absence of pain. Pain unsatisfied desires. Minimal desires Peace pleasure; harmony = agreement between desires and fulfillment. Life of Moderation (Ex: credit card vs. cash budget). b. Stoicism *Resistance cause pain, learn to live the Stoic life. – Founder: Zeno (334-262 B. C. ) Social Logos (=Heraclitus): All natural and society controlled by reason. The destiny of one is the FOR THE GOOD OF THE WHOLE. Happiness accepting one’s destiny. – Suffering resisting predestined life – Stoic Goal: Evenness, dispassionate= no joy in success, no sorrow in failure. – Brotherhood of Man: Logos Lives in everything and everyone as fire DEFINITION (know the basic meaning or reference of each term) -Polytheism/monotheism: the belief in many gods/ the belief in only one god. – Post lintel: the simplest form or architectural construction, consisting of vertical members (posts) and supporting horizontals (lintels). Caste System: a rigid social stratification in India based on differences in wealth, rank, or occupation. – Muse/muses: music – Ziggurat: a terraced tower of rubble and brick that served ancient Mesopotamians as a temple-shrine. – Pharaoh: title of Egyptian king. – Dialectic: question-and- answer s tyle (Socrates) – Animism: the belief that the forces of nature are inhibited by spirits. – Homeopathic: power infused based on likeness or imitation. *exaggerates sometime. – Hellenistic: followed by the Classical era; the blending of Greek, African, and Asian cultures. – Pantheism: the belief that a divine spirit pervades all things in universe. Contagion: power transferred by contact. – Stoic Logos: Seminal Reason, through which all things came to be, by which all things were ordered, and to which all things returned. – Myth: story form (poetry) vs. philosophy or scientific explanation; typically involving gods and ancestors with supernatural power. Purpose: to order universe and society. – Ethnocentric: the belief in the inherent superiority of one’s own ethnic group or culture. – Epicureanism: Happiness depending on avoiding all forms of physical excess; valued plain living and the perfect union of body and mind. Gods played no part in human life, and death was nothing more than the rearrangement of atoms which the body and all of nature consist. – Covenant: contract; the bod between the Hebrew people and their god. – Yin/Yang: the principle, which ancient Chinese emperors called â€Å"the foundation of the entire universe,† interprets all nature as the dynamic product of two interacting cosmic forces, or modes of energy, commonly configured as twin interpenetrating shapes enclosed within a circle. Yang- male principle: lightness, hardness, brightness, warmth, and the sun. Ying- female principle: darkness, softness, moisture, coolness, the earth. Metope: the square panel between the beam ends under the roof of a structure. – Plato’s Theory of Forms:where is â€Å"Truth†? Above: perfect world of forms: originals, absolute, uncanning state. Below: imperfect world of matter: copies, changing, opinions. – Ideal tragedy: hero’s life changes f rom fortune to misfortune due to intellectual error. – Pediment: the triangular space forming the gable of a two-pitched roof in Classical architecture; any similar triangular form found over a portico, door, or window. – Epic History: a long narrative poem that recounts the deeds of a legendary or historical hero in his quest for meaning or identity. IDENTIFICATION: Know who or what each refers to -Venus Figurines: sympathetic contagious magic for fertility of nature and humans. -Stone Henge: sacred space; limitation of celestial world? Sun and moon for their fertility power? -Parthenon: the outstanding architectural achievement of Golden Age Athens -Gate of Ishtar: one of the eight gates of the inner city of Babylon (main entrance), was built during the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar II (604- 562 BC), after he burned Jerusalem. Starting point for Nebuchadnezzar II, after he bought the kingdom of Judah to an end; he wants to beautify the capital. Achilles: Achaean (Greek) hero of the Trojan War, the central character and the greatest warrior of Homer’s Iliad. -Plato: Wrote the famous treatise, Republic. Classical Greek philosopher, mathematician, student of Socrates, writer of philosophical dialogues, and founder of the Academy in Athens. -Hammurapi: sixth king of Babylon, known for the set of laws called Hammurabi’s Code, one of the first written codes of law in recorded history. -Athena: goddess of wisdom and war. -Sophocles: second of the great tragedians, developed his plots through the actions of the characters. He modified the ceremonial formality of earlier Greek tragedies by individualizing the characters and introducing moments of great psychological intimacy. Antigone -Confucius : Chinese teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher of the Spring and Autumn Period of Chinese history. The philosophy of Confucius emphasized personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships, justice and sincerity. -Zeus: the powerful sky god. -Epicurus: Greek thinker who advocated Epicuranism. -Moses: the leader who led the Hebrews across the Red Sea. -Antigone: A tragic play wrote by Sophocles. Proceed from the last phase of the history of Thebes. The play deals with many issues: duty to family (generation) vs. duty to state/law; female willpower vs. male authority (gender) -Homer: poet who wrote Iliad and Odyssey -Aristotle: Student of Plato, Aristotle’s writings were the first to create a comprehensive system of Western philosophy, encompassing morality, aesthetics, logic, science, politics, and metaphysics. -Zeno: Founder of Stoicism. MAP (be able to match the culture with its geography) 2. Nile r. / Jerusalem/Egypt 3. Euphrates r. / Tigris r. Persia /Babylon/ Mesopotamia 4. Olympus /Athens/ Aegean Sea/ Greece [pic] How to cite An Ideal Hero: Greek vs. Roman, Essay examples