1.0 Introduction
In the recent past, inequality has greatly increased in the United States. Arguably, the inequalities are occurring because the country has become a democracy where the majority and the rich use their power to block the attainment of equality. What essentially instigates inequality? History shows that inequality is as a result of differences in income, wealth distribution, and other social privileges acquired by virtue of societal status. Ideology, in this case, refers to the current underlying school of thought that sustains such levels of inequality among people of different races, ethnicities, and income levels among others. This paper seeks to discuss how inequality hinders people from achieving their dreams.
Essentially, it will be based on the responses of an interviewee referred to as John for the sake of this interview. This is, however, not his real name since it is necessary to provide the participant with anonymity. The respondent comes from the black race and lives in the state of Louisiana. Essentially, the paper presents an analysis of those responses in three different perspectives. First, it evaluates how the views of the respondent contrast and compare to the ideologies of individualistic achievements and collectivism. Second, it will provide an evaluation on ways in which the respondent oppose or comply with the American dream. Thirdly, the analysis will show some cases in which the interviewee view and question or condemn inequality.
2.0 Respondent’s View on Ideologies of Self-Reliance, Individualism, and Collectivism
The respondents agreed to the ideology of self reliance whereby he indicated that our success is essentially determined by how we act. This was realized when he responded to the question of self determination of success and failure. The interview excerpt below shows the response to the question self determination.
John: the ability we have in satisfying our desires entirely depend on how much we influence people around us. The ability we have to control and influence the people around us dictates the social power. The individuals with a better social standing stand a better chance to control others. An individual can control such aspects of authority and oversight in determining their success in America. However, significant factors like economy, access to education, and job opportunities can at times be out of control in determining an individual’s success or failure
In essence, he agreed to the fact that people’s success in America relies of their self capability to gain influence and raise their social status. In addition to this, the respondents seemed to resist the notion of collective responsibilities. Instead, he viewed success as solely an issue of individual achievement. In other words, he supported individual achievement against collective responsibilities.
3.0 Comparison and Contrast with the American Dream
Critically speaking, the respondent does not comply or go by the conventional definition of the American Dream. In principle, the American Dream advocates better life for all citizens of the United States. In essence, it is a set of national ethics that seeks to create a society of shared dreams and collective success. However, John made a sharp and vividly noticeable contradiction with the American dream. In this case, he indicated that the American Dream is about his ability and pursuit to achieve his personal goals. It is about doing what he wanted to do in his life. The expert below shows the exact question posed to him and the response provided.
Me: John, according to you, what does the American dream mean?
John: According to me, the American dream is the best way I want to live my life. It’s the ideal way in which I will access a decent education and using the knowledge I have acquired to get myself a well-paying job. The American dream according to me can be achieved through becoming wealthy and doing what I love doing most like traveling the world and visiting places have never been before. The American dream might differ with other people more so the blacks, but to me, it is all about doing what I want to do and having the freedom to do it. In other words, my American dream is being able to achieve what I have planned to achieve in life and also being content with what I have.
Me: do you think it’s easier for people to realize the American dream?
John: With the constant variation in jobs, complexity in careers, and a decrease in the quality of education, it’s difficult to realize the American dream. Inequality in the dispensing of healthcare and other social amenities limits people from achieving their dreams. Economic strains have led to a rise in the cost of living. As such, the government should institute measures to eliminate the inequality problems faced by the citizens. If we continue this way as a country, inequality might hinder most people from realizing their goals as well as the American dream.
4.0 Respondent’s Personal View on Inequality and Its Criticism
The respondents criticized the level of access to opportunities in USA with a specific interest in racial discrimination. Importantly, he indicated that the black people in the US do not have access to opportunities as compared to their white counterparts. The following excerpt shows a question posed to him and the subsequent response.
Me: You mentioned something about being successful in life, what do you think it takes to be successful in America?
John: Well, we face many challenges today as Americans. Some of these challenges include shifts in economic and social aspect that hinder most of us, especially precisely the black Americans, from realizing our dreams. To be successful in America, you must belong to a given class or race. Black people are inferior to the whites. We are uncertain of realizing our dreams in most fields including the job employment, political influence, and economic control. The inequalities and social parities always prevent the less disadvantaged people from living their life to the fullest.
This is a clear indication that the respondent feels oppressed by the system just because he is black. He illustrates and views inequality mainly from the racial perspective. In a different conversation sparked by a follow up question, the respondents questioned inequality on the basis of entitlement. In other words, he held the view that some people are more entitled to success just because of their natural attributes and persona. This excerpt shows a conversation in that regard.
Me: You have spoken about inequality, do you think some people stand a better chance in America to get ahead than others?
John: yes, some people stand a better chance than others when it comes to success. In America, people are not equal. The concept of inequality means that some people are more worthy than others. Whites are perceived to be more deserving than blacks. The perception of blacks being inferior to whites gives them a chance ahead of the others regarding wealth, and the quality of education and health offered. Increased social and economic inequality leads to the inequitable distribution of resources, these privileges particular section in the society hence it makes other people get ahead of others. Social stratification and the blacks inferiority to the whites is the key drawback towards achieving the American dream. Therefore, to litigate this issue of inequality, we should all be treated equal and also receive a fair chance in the society.
The same feeling and perspective was brought out in yet another question regarding social status and equality. The excerpt below represents the conversation discussing social class and status quo.
Me: Do you think the social standing of a person in the society inhibits a person from making it in America?
John: An individual’s social status determines the residence and neighborhood. This, in turn, determines the quality of education to be attained. The people we socialize with when we acquire education define our class. Poverty among the low-income earners prevents many young people with potential from succeeding in America. Their residential urban life is characterized by crime hence ruining a person’s focus and dreams. Similarly, whites and the middle class have stood a better chance to make it in life as compared to the blacks and other low-income earners because they live in areas without abundance of opportunities.
5.0 Conclusion
On the basis of this interview, it cannot be disputed that the prevalent inequality is caused by unequal income, poor wealth distribution, and other social privileges acquired through irregular status quo. Importantly, inequality prevents people from realizing their personal goals. In this regard, therefore, the discriminated Americans have lost the hope of realizing the American dream due to tough economic conditions. The rift between the poor and the rich is widening because the rich and the powerful exploit the poor. However, some major factors such economy and job opportunities are sometimes out of control because they are also subject to the global situations.
