I dream a dream of Memes gone by(e)

The "American Dream" is something that gives people hope. It is the idea that no matter what your current situation is, you can become successful by being in the right place, at the right time, and by working hard. For many this place and time was America in the 1920s, just after the war when all anyone ever did was party. I think that most people thought America was the right place to pursue their dreams because America was once just a dream too. It became its own country after a long struggle for freedom and many bloody wars. Just after the most recent one in that time, America came back richer than ever and many people saw this as a time of opportunity.

America is the "Land of Opportunity" and one of its top tourist attractions was "freedom".

Wealth doesn't have to be having a lot of money. Even less so if you end up spending it all on dumb things :P I think wealth is having health, people that care about you, and being content with life so long as you can support yourself in the long run. Wealth is also sharing it with less fortunate people because spreading good fortune is good karma. Then you can probably sleep more soundly at night knowing that your actions are benefiting someone out there.


I think Americans' always associate wealth with having big mansions and 10 flat screen TVs or 20 cars and poverty is always that picture of the emaciated kid in Africa and scary bird. Those are usually the 2 extremes.
In reality it's less mild than that for the most part. Poverty is too common in America and still is a big problem. Especially in New York (and other big cities) where there aren't enough jobs or space for people to live. Most of the homeless population live in shelters with other homeless people. They work odd jobs and can't relocate because of their kids or just having no way to get around.

Article about Increase of Homeless Women in New York

Wealth is usually the Kardashians, but they aren't that rich.. they just like to flaunt their money. Because of them wealth (for a majority) has become more about what designer clothes to get, how many different shades of contour can fit on one face, and having 1231 cars. This generation where social media is at the forefront of marketing sells too much of material goods, which I guess is what everyone was obsessed with in the 1920s. Having more meant you were rich. That isn't true though and we still haven't learned that lesson.

Wealth should be succeeding and doing things that make a positive difference in the world. Otherwise, wealth doesn't mean much. For example, Bill Gates is still the richest billionaire at $79.2 billion net worth. He has the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation to help bring people out of poverty and stop world hunger and partners with different companies and students to aid in providing education. He has a giant aquarium in his house too but he also has a massive library with The Great Gatsby quotes on the ceiling, so it's ok. He earned it (for the right reasons)!! He has wealth but lives a meaningful life with it.


When it comes down to it I think that wealth should just occur naturally from doing the things you are passionate about doing. From watching a season of Keeping up with the Kardashians, even though they probably spend enough money to feed a small country, they stick together and work hard. Wealth shouldn't mean leaving family behind and blindly chasing something. That would just lead to failure. Sometimes it's difficult to find your way in the world and having family is important for support. They will also be there to tell you that one girl isn't worth dying for... that could've been helpful to Gatsby.
Wealth is being proud of where you came from and working towards making things better for everyone. Feeling fulfillment from doing good things is a better motivator than money and makes a positive difference.

Poverty is most of the time due to circumstances and there isn't an easy solution. Other times it is because of making bad decisions. Either way, I think America values wealth too much and doesn't pay enough attention to poverty. It's all about selling an image and also about getting to the top without thinking much about the bigger picture. The system doesn't allow them to get out of it either. From having health insurance, to housing and clothing, and having a car, among other things there's no way!!! We all fear it but not enough of us do the things that can change it. That's way Trump is popular smh. He knows how to work the system and knows how to make big promises that appeal to people. THEEENN people (like my parents) who don't do their research thinks it's going to benefit them when it probably won't. So yeah. It's all because of the American Dream. Making impossible become possible, but with no strong foundation to begin with. It all comes crashing down!!!
(Ok I may be a fatalist but that doesn't mean it can't happen)