Chapter 3 of Lawrence Samuel's The American Dream: A Cultural History

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Chapter 3 of Lawrence Samuel's The American Dream: A Cultural History
Observation
The American dream has undergone successive changes over the years. In the 1960s and 70s, a majority of the Americans had lost hope in their country. Most of the citizens were unhappy regarding the progress of the nation. The Vietnam War, the prevalence of drugs, an increase in crime and massive demonstrations caused more Americans to lose faith in the American dream, which they once held dear (81). Due to such frustrating events, the American dream was fading. Some observers believed that the nation was experiencing “paralysis of the spirit” and were concerned about a looming crisis (83).
Nonetheless, some Americans never gave up on the American dream. They held that the next generation was in a better position to actualize the dream. These adults believed that what was impossible to attain their children were capable of doing it. This indeed revived the once dying American dream. At the same time, affirmative action movement began. Some individuals believed that affirmative action was critical in including individuals who had been left out of the American dream (85). As a result, the attainment of the American dream was critical in dealing with some of the inequalities that existed.
Passage
“The American dream to me is the American nightmare.” (77)
This statement was made by Robert T. Pickett, a 20-year-old pre-law student at Kent State. Pickett directed the remarks to Vice President Hubert Humphrey who had visited the university. The statement demonstrates the frustration of the average Americans with the dream.
“Less than a month later, however, Martin Luther King would be killed…” (78).
Black people considered Martin Luther King as an embodiment of the American dream. With his death, this could indicate that the blacks would never attain the dream they have been chasing for long. Nonetheless, Martin Luther King h...