A Raisin In The Sun Black American Dream

The American Dream is the idea that Americans work really hard to achieve their values and goals and is very satisfied with their financial and social situation. It pertains only to the Whites because they receive more prominence, money, and education compared to the Blacks. The Blacks wanting to achieve the American Dream starts with them migrating up North, leaving behind their plantation field in the South, which is the first act of Black Power, or self-determination. But when Blacks attempt to achieve the American Dream, they are often pushed back, an idea where White supremacy, stereotype, and greed stand in the way of Blacks ever reaching their full potential. This is seen through the play, A Raisin in the Sun, when the Younger family …show more content…
It dates back to when Blacks were forbidden to own land or property, until the late 19th century, when Abraham Lincoln passed the Emancipation Proclamation which gave Blacks their freedom and right to home ownership. The idea of the Younger family wanting to own a home starts when Mama, being the head of the household, dreams of owning a bigger home where she has her own garden, her grandson, Travis, having a bigger yard to play in, and where each family member can live in comfort. “She crosses through the room, goes to the window, opens it, and brings in a feeble little plant growing doggedly in a small pot on the window sill…We was going to set away…You know all the dreams I had ‘bout buying that house and fixing it up and making me a little garden in the back—And didn’t none of it happen’” (Hansberry). Mama speaks to Ruth about her ideal home. Owning a home is part of Mama’s and Big Walter’s dream until he passed away. However, Mama keeps a small plant by the window as a reminder that her dream in owning a home will one day grow into reality. Mama’s dream in owning a place relates to Lutie’s dream, from the Street. “Chandler’s home was covered wall to wall…the rest of the house was just as perfect” (Petry 38-39). Lutie use to work for the Chandler as a maid and sees their home as her own dream home one day, because their home has no cracks on the wall and is well decorated. Owning a home is part of …show more content…
Some have to go through White supremacy, with the judgment that Blacks are stereotypically seen as a disturbance to the Whites, while some are just not welcomed in general. While the Younger family is preparing to move into their new home in Clybourne Park, after Mama puts a down payment on it, one of the Welcome Committee, Mr. Lindner, comes by to speak with them. “Anybody can see that you are a nice family of folks, hardworking and honest I’m sure…people can get awfully worked up when they feel that their whole way of life and everything they’ve ever worked for is threatened” (Hansberry, 117). Mr. Lindner is saying that the Younger family does not belong in the White’s neighborhood. He is a Welcome Committee but, ironically, he is not welcoming them into the new neighborhood because of racism. It analytically relates to why Blacks moving into the first-tier suburbs is a way of Whites thinking not only will it be a disturbance, but their home values are going to fail. If Blacks can financially afford to buy a home in a White neighborhood, the Whites may think that their wealth and home is invaluable. But, not all Blacks can financially afford to buy a home in a White neighborhood just like Lutie, who decides to settle for a cheaper apartment in Harlem. However, Blacks moving into an all-Black neighborhood does not necessarily mean that they are also welcomed. “There was a cold November