The American Dream is Not Dead

                The American Dream - the idea of rising from poverty or by several means and reaching the ultimate goal of comfort and wealth had been ingrained into American culture ever since the 1920’s when comfort and wealth seemed to be very possible and contemporary. However, in this era, many feel as if the American Dream was never a reality and is driving to its very demise. I, on the other hand, agree with those who believe that the American Dream is a very real concept that is in process daily. Living examples such as Jim Carrey, who is currently a very successful comedian and many famous celebrities have once shared their stories of their achievement of the American Dream.
                 Jim Carrey, according to an interview with James Lipton, was living a life of poverty desperately looking for jobs and a way of living. When his father “lost his job that’s when everything fell apart.” Carrey also stated that him and his family “went from lower middle class to poor.” This kind of disaster and incident is very common among families who are making a living through jobs that require no form of education and Carrey’s family was one of them. Carrey even went through many psychological challenges where he would be “so angry” that he “just wanted to beat the heck out of something.” Of course, some people could say that something such as that is not possible as he himself is a very facetious, but it is however true, as his humor is what bolstered his hope for a better lifestyle. His father, according to an article in Wikipedia, planned a stage act in a comedy club called Yik Yaks, and that was the very first step in Carrey’s journey to success. Other very daily examples of the American Dream are immigrants who struggle to stabilize their lives after a major alteration.
I, myself, am living the American Dream. Coming from the United Arab Emirates on July 16th 2013, my family was initially relying on government support; however, after a long time of learning about how the U.S works and about the very opportunities available my parents managed to find satisfying jobs. Some people could say that because my family rose through government support, my family and I should not be considered as people who live American Dream; however, achieving the American Dream is all about capturing opportunities. The government support that was available was not fully supporting my family. Families in the New Deal and the Civil Rights Era experienced similar experiences in the way they reached the American Dream, as Stephanie Cortez - who teaches at Evergreen State College - includes claims in source B. According to Cortez, ignored races or foreigners grew through "hard work" that "increasingly did pay off." Cortez even highlights the importance of the American Dream by advocating such strugling groups at the end of her article. Although people like Daniel J Mitchel believe that limiting the economic boundries of the government will help keep the American dream - in source F - I believe that much governmental support and involvement will help strugling families on their feet and I myself am a living example of its effects.  Illegal Mexican immigrants are living the American Dream. Passing through a blazing desert and escaping cartels, in their eyes is the main goal. I am not supporting illegal immigration; however, the very idea of the American Dream should be looked upon all aspects through various facets even if it includes illegal action. One example of such process of reaching the American Dream is Louis Bloom in the movie Night Crawler.

                    Louis Bloom, in Night Crawler, survived through theft until he stumbled into the idea of being a cameraman for the news. His background is not fully explained in the movie; however, he captures the very opportunities presented to him, such as learning the internet. Deeming himself as a very fast learner he instantly made a great reputation as a successful camera man. He did meet some obstacles which he circumvented through immoral and illegal actions. It did not matter at the end, however, because he established his very own industry of cameramen. Many people could argue that Night Crawler is a only a movie that holds no connection to the world; however, according to an LA times article“, Movie fiction mirrors fact for L.A’s real life ‘nightcrawlers’” the movie is very accurate in the way it portrays camera men.
                 The idea of the American Dream is a fact. The dream should not even be called an “American” one as it is happening world wide. Thinking that the American Dream is a lie means leaving hope for a better future that is bolstered by motivation to become impeccable.