Introduction
The term American Dream is meant for immigrants who want to fulfil their dream of a better future and educational and job opportunities when they settle in America. The first text chosen for analysis of this issue is written by Bharati Mukherjee, who was born in Calcutta, India and moved to Iowa, America for studies. The second text is written by Paul Krugman, a New York Times writer and a professor at Princeton who wrote the article “The Death of Horatio Alger” that describes the dream of working with will and determination was crushed by America by giving the example of Horatio Alger. The paper aims to provide a midway solution to both texts by describing how continuous struggle can help achieve the American dream, but the improvement in government policies and opportunities for immigrants is essential for this process.
Discussion
Bharati Mukherjee, in her article “American Dreamer”, describes how her first racial segregation experience in Canada forced her to leave the country. She claims from her experience that America blames multiculturism and people from other countries as a cause of her social and economic problems. She also believes that to be an active part of American society it is necessary to flourish Americanism inside yourself and be a part of the society to escape the marginalized ethnic communities. “We must think of American culture and nationhood as a constantly re-forming, transmogrifying “we.”…” (Mukherjee, n.p). This sentence sums up her argument of adapting American culture and being transformed into an active American.
Paul Krugman used the example of Horatio Alger, who was a believer that will and determinism can raise a person’s financial status from poor to middle class. Kruger’s main point in support of his argument is the rich community that is getting richer every day. He said, “…whereby a small group of wealthy but untalented children controls vast segments of the US economy and penniless, talented children simply can’t compete.” (Krugman, n.p). The statement means the control will still remain in the hands of untalented Americans rather than talented immigrants. He also mentioned that the income of these communities is increasing while that of the poor communities is falling every year. Krugman claims that people who tried their best to improve their financial status still did not manage to achieve their goals. In light of his arguments, he claims that it is nearly impossible for a financially poor community to elevate their status no matter how hard they try.
Solution
The solution to the issue of fulfilling the American dream needs a little help from both articles. To elevate the social and financial status of marginalized communities, the people of these communities have to try hard to compete with the potentially stable and rich people. But the solution also demands governments play a part in protecting their immigrants and neglected communities, elevate their financial status and provide them opportunities to come to the front and prove themselves.
The marginalized communities have to fight against marginalization and play their part in fighting against racial and ethnic discrimination (Mukherjee, n.p). The communities have to use their rights and opportunities positively and invest their energies for the good of the whole community rather than just themselves. But help from the government is also essential who support these communities and diminish the difference between American and immigrant populations.
Conclusion
In short, to reduce barriers between marginalized communities and compete with the rich American population. The immigrants have to push harder against the discrimination made by the American government. They have to fight for their rights and life needs and demand the government for opportunities for jobs and education. The governments have to respect the culturally and ethnically different populations and provide them with opportunities and respectable jobs to make them believe that they are too a part of the American nation.
Works Cited
Krugman, Paul. “The Death of Horatio Alger.” (2004). https://www.thenation.com/article/death-horatio-alger/
Mukherjee, Bharati. “American dreamer.” Mother Jones 22.1 (1997): 32-35. https://www.motherjones.com/politics/1997/01/american-dreamer/
