The American Dream By Ta-Nehisi Coates
The American Dream, or simply referred to as the Dream by Coates, has existed throughout the history of the United States. The Dream existed in the 19th century as the Manifest Destiny, the belief that the expansion of the United States into the American continent was destined to occur. Ta-Nehisi Coates brings a new perspective onto this ideology, the idea that this Dream was created and achieved at the expense of the lives of others. The people living in the Dream are the citizens of the United States, who believe that they have the freedom to prosper and have success. Unfortunately, this desire to achieve can be so great that it comes at the misery of others. Coates example of this is the discrimination and enslavement of African Americans. Until the Civil War, African Americans were taken advantage of for their free labor to progress the cotton industry. Because of this horrific system, African American were perceived as inferior to those of European descent, and that concept still lives on today.
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This is the inevitable evil of the Dream, and the only way to end this catastrophe is for the Dreamers to discontinue the Dream. And that action cannot be forced; the dreamers must voluntarily discontinue their ways to truly end the Dream. It is unlikely that will ever occur, but nevertheless, Coates perspective on the Dream allows for African American citizens of the United States to realize that they cannot change the ways of others; but that must make the most of the situation given to
This is the inevitable evil of the Dream, and the only way to end this catastrophe is for the Dreamers to discontinue the Dream. And that action cannot be forced; the dreamers must voluntarily discontinue their ways to truly end the Dream. It is unlikely that will ever occur, but nevertheless, Coates perspective on the Dream allows for African American citizens of the United States to realize that they cannot change the ways of others; but that must make the most of the situation given to