The American dream is the full definition what drives the American society since it was found. It involves many goals and objectives stated by the country’s greatest politicians and scholars. Americans strive to achieve their dreams, so that they become more successful and wealthier than their competitors worldwide. Although achieving and being successful is a challenging task, this dream has been instilled the minds of all Americans daily. However, the country has greatly influenced how other countries operate in different ways. Over the years, it has faced many drastic changes that have made it stronger and also raised many controversies.
The foundations of America were and still were equality for every individual. It was its dream to make sure that everyone of any national origin, belief, race, gender and sexual orientation was embraced in the country and treated with equal measure as stated. As much as equality is one of the country’s most appreciated values, it has not been honored over the years. The value has been disappearing gradually with the changing society. Or rather, the mother meaning of equality has become relative and changes with every economic change.
Initially, equality meant freedom and hope that one would be treated just like any other American. Settlers from all over the world would feel free to move in and out of America to look for better jobs with better pays and generally, a better life. For instance, Africans believed that a better job and free life which was free from cultural tribulations was found in America (Haines).
Likewise, due to the ever changing economic state of the world, many people have lost their jobs or have been forced to take multiple jobs for survival. In the American job market, most employed citizens are men compared to women. For a while, the women have been campaigning for equality in the parliament, work place, schools and society as a whole. The inequality has gone as far as women getting less pay for the same job as men. This situation is against the many law and bills legalized as the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act which was created in the year 2009. This is unfair to the women and worse to immigrants.
Over the years, America has faced many historical changes due to wars. It has been recorded that the country has been involved in wars with fourteen different Muslim countries namely: Pakistan, Iran, Sudan, Afghanistan, Yemen, Tunisia, Egypt, Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq, Egypt, Syria, Somalia and Iran. Wars create antagonism between the countries. For instance, in 11th September 2001, the country was attacked by a known and most powerful Islamic group, Al-Qaeda, destroying the towers of World Trade Centre situated in New York City. The attack claimed the life of many American citizens prompting the combating of terrorism.
Since then, there has been a war against the Muslim society. They are considered as terrorists whose main intention is to bring down America. The assumptions have made Muslims is America face discrimination and ill treatment from all over. There is no sense of equality in this case.
The government is currently trying within its power to maintain the image of the country as being equal. More rights are being passed as more people are campaigning and holding peaceful demonstrations to be heard. In the job market, people of other races have an easier time establishing their businesses due to the protection Acts legalized. The differently proposed Acts and complaints have been heard and worked on, for instance, women and men inequality in pays (Adams).
The country is considered to be a ‘City upon a Hill’. The name ‘City upon a Hill’ that can also be known as God’s Chosen Country originates from the bible where Jesus encouraged his followers to let their good deeds stand out for the world to see and to be role models/good examples. It was and still is considered that way by its leaders and scholars.
Its dream of being the role model of other countries has been lived but still has some hitches. The country was the first to have its people travel to the moon through the use of immense technology. This served as a challenge to many to come up with other creative technological innovations. The election of President Barrack Obama was a good indication of equality in terms of races. This is because; it is assumed that black Americans are always discriminated in the country. The election President Obama, whose roots are traced back to Kenya, an African country, was a pro America. It was a symbolic action to curb the barrier between blacks and whites. In his own words, he described America as a place of equality and democracy.
The Civil Rights Acts which endorses equality and Women’s suffrage that allowed women to vote just like men and many other achievements have prompted other countries to do the same. Hence, America has been known to be a role model (Keplan Lewis).
U.S.A remains the country bestowed to be a role model for many because of its leadership authority. It has attained this by maintaining its economic state in that t is still the country that exports goods and services the most in the whole world. In addition, both its economic and military power is intact and on top. A country’s leadership power is measured by the two elements mentioned.
It has supporting nations such as Britain, Western Europe and Israel are examples of countries that have felt reassured of safety and victory during their war with other countries. This shows that they look up to America for help and support. Any country supported by America is perceived to be on the right track and vice versa.
However, the attention given to the country as a role model has also enabled people to notice the hitches and the negative influence it has worldwide. America is known to be powerful, and it has proven that. It has depicted a picture of being superior over other countries in different continents especially Africa. Morally, the citizens are known to be impulsive and sometimes overboard. This is shown in movies, written in books and novels, magazines and other media sites.
Moral decay has been noted in different countries because of the influence from America. Being ‘superior’, everything they do and defend is assumed to be good by other cultures. Back then, the citizens were modest and reserved, media stations were keen and strict with what was let out to the world.
Take the entertainment industry; it has changed from being modest for an impulsive and wild session. Abusive pictures and scenes have become so common and are rarely banned by America. A good example is a movie known as ‘Wolf of Wall Street’ released on 2013. The movie created controversies all over the world because of the immense incidences of drug use, sexual content, use of abusive and vulgar language and the use of animals. Nevertheless, it still won five different awards. This is just but an example of many more.
The movie was banned in many African countries like Kenya. This is because, the cultural, religious and moral values were being decayed, and a vulgar and decayed generation would be raised with the continuation of approving such movies. The change in the American moral values has affected many more countries and its own citizens, who no longer value modesty and decency.
I believe that the country has so much potential in creating a positive influence in the same measure it is creating a negative influence. This owes to the fact that, most countries trust American products, writers, preachers, media personalities, leaders, celebrities and so on. If the mentioned people/groups decide to make America a good influence and role model to other nations in terms of morals and ethic, they can.
Charles Louis de secondat once said the fall of every government starts with the deterioration of principles which it was founded on. The American dream of transparency in leadership is being vandalized slowly. This is because of the presence of unpunished corruption that is rampant in the government. Politicians who have selfish desires have their way to the top of leadership and businesses through corruption. The government is aware but has not taken serious measures to deal with this (Tremblay).
The presence of unqualified and corrupt leaders changes how the country’s government operates affecting other nations too. This is because, instead of the leaders looking out for their country’s safety and staying loyal, they roam around the world looking for short term deals that may affect the economy in the future. Media is controlled by the government. With such people in power, the media is not permitted to leak correct information to the citizens of the exact happenings. Corruption levels have increased immensely compared to the past.
The nation’s prosperity has flourished from its commitment to freedom of civil and religious rights. It has been forced to change some of its declarations to defend its citizens and other nations too. It is ready for war from enemies for the purposes of defense and creation of peace to the majority. Its leaders believe that the creation and authorization of human liberty are not only for its own citizens but to everyone everywhere.
All in all, the changes in social, political, and economic sectors have changed some of America’s dreams and goals. Appointing unqualified and inexperienced people in politics and economics in the government changes a country’s principle, goals and objectives.
Adams, James Truslow. The Epic of America. New York: Blue Ribbon Books, 2099.
Dombrink, J. & Thompson, W.N. The last resort: Success and failure in campaigns for casinos. Reno: University of Nevada Press, 2010.
Haines, David W. Safe Haven? : A History of Refugees in America . Stylus Publishing, 2010.
Keplan Lewis, E. Making the American Dream. Algora Publishing, 2009.
Tremblay, Prof Rodrigue. "The Decline of the United States of America: ." Global Research (2011).
Wolf, Richard. "USA Today." Equality still elusive 50 years after Civil Rights Act (2014).