Writing

Assignment 2: Analyzing the American Dream (outline & Thesis due 5/6 midnight, Final essay draft due 5/10 midnight)

Background: In this unit we’ve discussed the American Dream, and while it may be unrealistic and vary from person to person, many people still sacrifice a great deal to come to the US in hopes of achieving some form of this dream. For many it includes a certain amount of personal wealth, freedom, homeownership, education and a fulfilling career. 

In addition to discussing our own idea of the dream, we also viewed videos: Whitopia Ted Talk by Rich Benjamin that looks at the flight of whites to areas where they can avoid people of other races, "Redlining" from the Race: the Power of Illusion Series, and the UCLA case regarding Christian Head, an African American neurosurgeon who was blocked from his American Dream.

Finally, in his part-memoir, part-letter, part-historical analysis Between the World and Me, Ta-nehisi Coates discusses “the Dream” and “the Dreamers.”  Unlike the common view of the dream or dreamers, Coates sees these as separate from his and others' experiences of America. In one of his many quotes about the dream, Coates writes:

 

Very few Americans will directly proclaim that they are in favor of black people being left to the streets. But a very large number of Americans will do all they can to preserve the Dream. No one directly proclaimed that schools were designed to sanctify failure and destruction. But a great number of educators spoke of ‘personal responsibility’ in a country authored and sustained by a criminal responsibility. The point of this language of ‘intention’ and ‘personal responsibility’ is broad exoneration. Mistakes were made. Bodies were broken. People were enslaved. We meant well. We tried our best. “Good intention” is a hall pass through history, a sleeping pill that ensures the Dream. (33)

Please first submit a thesis regarding Coates' view of the American dream and a plan that includes the 4 major points you want to include in your essay. Some ideas may include the following: 

the black body and its vulnerability

blacks assumed to be criminals

slavery as a path to American wealth

housing discrimination against people of color like redlining or whitopias as seen in Rich Benjamin's Ted Talk. 

disparities in education quality, access, discipline, and connection to students' experience

the "work hard and achieve" myth for African Americans (Prince Jones) work discrimination (Dr. Head)

racism by police and the fear of police brutality

(counter argument) some immigrants do find the American Dream here (better life than in their home country)

(counter argument) other countries subjugate their people; America is not the only country that has participated in or benefitted from slavery. 

As far as thesis statements go, you can try something with a concession or contrasting statement. Here are some ideas: 

While individuals like immigrants may be lucky enough to experience the American Dream, the Dream in light of Coates’ argument of sacrifice and suffering is not truly dependable and should be questioned.

Coates is stating a truth about the American dream that is uncomfortable for many people to face, but as a society we need to wake up to the fact that racism is alive and well in American culture.

Through the country’s history of slavery it has built itself to a point where many can fulfill their individual wishes; however, it is not the utopia many believe it to be due to its inability to extend this “dream” to its entire population.

Your Task:

In a 5 to 6-page essay (1,250-1,500 words), analyze the American Dream in light of Coates’ argument that the Dream is only possible because of 250 years of slavery, 100 years of sharecropping, and the decades of Jim Crow laws.

Questions or Ideas to consider:

Is the Dream something we should “wake up” from?

Is the dream possible or should we believe in it if people who work hard and are the best in their field (like Dr. Head), still suffer this type of discriminatory treatment? If so, how should we go about pursuing this dream.

How has your idea of the American dream shifted?

Do you agree, disagree, or feel a mix with Coates’ view of the dream?

Connect the dream to race and achievement—we have had a black President, but we also continue to have black people being targeted and murdered because of their race.

Reminders:

Include a definition/description of the Dream/ Dreamers according to Coates in your introduction.

Your essay should include at least four major points/reasons (body paragraphs) chosen from the list we reviewed in class (also on the link for Essay 2 thesis/outline). 

Bold vocabulary words (at least five) that you’ve learned from the text.

Demonstrate a use of coherence strategies in your essay