Hasan Khan Sherwani

04473

The Question Of Race In Literature

(Zain Saeed)

Legitimacy of the American Dream in a Social Context.

ABSTRACT

The American Dream, a term used to highlight the promised ideal lifestyle you will get living in

America with appropriate hard work. A promise of equality in terms of opportunities therefore

allowing better standards to living and ones highest aspirations and goals to be achieved. With

such ideals in a country as racially divided as America, the question that begs to rise is how

legitimate this dream is. How applicable the dream is to all races and ethnicities, particularly

how applicable this is in terms of social acceptance. How the white race in America reacts to and

deals with the other races present in the country.

Before we dive into the topic, we need to clarify certain concepts and terms and what they mean

or stand for in terms of society, to start off with, we need to understand what exactly the

American dream is and what it stands for, before we can delve into how legitimate this is in

terms of other minorities as such. We also need to understand what it means to boast a diverse

environment, at any level whether it is an institute or the state itself. Understanding these is

essential as it is what will lead us to understand the concept of Social Acceptance which will

ultimately lead us to understand the gravity of the situation at hand for the racial, religious and

ethnic minorities.

To deal with a topic that begs for research as extensive as such, let us answer the first question,

what exactly is the American Dream?

“The American dream is a term used to refry to the core elements of what Americans view as

core values in life such as wealth, a good job and a life with value. The dream is basically about

what many, if not all Americans live to achieve all their lives.” (The American Dream in The

Great Gatsby)
So to simplify, it is, what one could call, an idealistic notion of a lifestyle promised. An equality

that promises equal opportunities to all leading to the opportunity to be able to fulfill or live ones

dreams and goals. Moving on. To get to discussing the social condition and acceptance of

different races in the US, we need to look at the diversity different institutes promise, and to be

able to fully understand the situation we need to understand what diversity actually implies as

stated.

“We propose that the concept of diversity conveys both the representation of minorities and the

social acceptance of minorities within a group. Whereas representation entails the objective

inclusion of minorities within academic and business organizations, social acceptance

encompasses the psychological inclusion of minorities as group members.” (Understanding

Diversity: The Importanceof Social Acceptance; Jacqueline M. Chen and David L. Hamilton)

So to simplify, diversity doesn’t only imply a large number of different groups, but rather begs

the psychological inclusion of said groups. Such has unfortunately not been the case as will be

elaborated further into the text.

Now that we have the basics cleared out, let us delve into the crux of the matter. The American

dream, by label, is supposed to be attached to all who can be labelled Americans in the very

least. Such is not the case as proposed and stated. The problem with the idea of the American

dream lies in the process of who gets to benefit from it due to the fact that historically, one race

has dominated the other in most, if not all forms of domination and repression. Forcing their own

culture on the repressed, and degrading and insulting the cultures, beliefs and lifestyles of those

oppressed.
“The dominant majority long insisted that they conform. It ridiculed and sought to destroy

“alien” cultural heritages by techniques of conquest, enslavement, segregation, immigration

restrictions, harassment, citizenship requirements and the process of socialization.” (Black

Protest: A Rejection of the American Dream; page 144, line 13)

As things began changing, the People began to get a certain idea about their rights and up came a

revolution of sorts where changes began happening in small but gracious increments.

“Some Northern black spokesmen, for example, felt accommodation and aquiescence

insufficient; they doubted seriously that white America would overlook their blackness and allow

them to engage fully in the dream unless constant pressures were brought on their behalf” (Black

Protest: A Rejection of the American Dream)

The rising open disbelief in the Legitimacy and applicability of the American dream was

apparent in minorities, and hence a unity in the black population was seen, groups were seen

spreading the disillusion through the masses as their brotherhood expanded.

“These black militants had recognized not only the impenetrable nature of racism in America and

the inflexible will of white society in maintaining its dominance over the black minority; they

had also discovered afresh their black brothers and sisters and the black heritage binding them

together.” (Black Protest: A Rejection of the American Dream)

“Increasingly, black spokesmen urged their brothers and sisters to renounce the dream…” (Black

Protest: A Rejection of the American Dream)

Thus through texts and sources we can see how the fact that the American dream was conditional

was affecting all minority groups when they came to the point where they had to accept their fate

and understand that the American dream was not applicable to them in a way.

“However one may assess these developments of the past half dozen years, it is apparent that

black men and women increasingly distrust and discredit the dream with its attendant myths and

theories that would have black people blend into the total fabric of American life in ways that

deny their black identity and black heritage.” (Black Protest: A Rejection of the American

Dream)

Furthermore the white American populations constant ignorance and stubbornness in their act

and racist views led to further problems as the white population delved further and further into

ignorance in terms of their racist actions. They refuse to see how their beloved American dream

is only applicable to them and them alone.

“White America remains trapped in its traditional endorsement of the American dream. Its

constant reiteration of the dream and of the theoretical manner in which individuals relate to and

benefit from it has repeatedly stripped the dominant majority of its critical awareness about the

dreams shortcomings. As a result, theory and practice have grown further apart and the chances

of making the dream operational for all Americans have become less likely with each passing

year.” (Black Protest: A Rejection of the American Dream)

To make matters worse, the white population have decided to blame the problems with their

dreams not on the structure or implementation of a flawed plan and the impractical goals, along

with problematic behavior on their own sides. Such ignorance leads to prove my point as such in

the debate regarding the question of the legitimacy of the American Dream.
‘With but a few exceptions, white Americans have seldom acknowledged any reservations about

the legitimacy of their dream…. Having so thoroughly ingested the dream, whites now believe

merely that “evil” individuals or “alien” forces or “subversive” elements are responsible for

threats against a ready enjoyment of its promise.’ (Black Protest: A Rejection of the American

Dream)

The American dream. The term itself clarifies all its meant for, yet, the dream comes at a price, a

varying price. Different people have to pay a different price to live the American dream or rather

a cut down version of what the term signifies. While a large part of the white community lays in

denial of such a truth, it is not unknown to the masses. The issue has been brought up repeatedly

in many forms at many intervals and addressed in many different ways, in different forms. These

include forms of literature and media, whether movies, TV series or stand up comedy shows.

The white population has always been vary and suspicious of non white folk and usually the way

forward is guilty until proven innocent, creating this general distrust around those they consider

others.

“My dad's from that generation like a lot of immigrants where he feels like if you come to this

country, you pay this thing like the American dream tax: like you're going to endure some

racism, and if it doesn't cost you your life, well hey, you lucked out. Pay it; there you go, Uncle

Sam. I was born here, so I actually had the audacity of equality.” (Hasan Minhaj; Homecoming

King)

Hasan also covered multiple other problematic topics, using satire and comedy as a way to get

his audience to understand and relate to what he had to say, he used stigmas around brown

people and Asians to bring about small issues and problems brown people face in their daily
lives. He also used the same forum and tactic to communicate major issues like the extent of

racial discrimination and hate sent towards the non white community by the white community.

“I feel like we have so much to add to this book called the American Dream, and I want to add

our chapter to it. I want to talk about what it means to be brown American and this concept of

what I feel is the New Brown America…….. New Brown America represents a whole generation

of kids that are descendants of either immigrants or immigrants themselves, that are coming to

America, enriching what it means to be an American.” (Hasan Minhaj)

He is known to talk about matters of urgency and problematic views that have led to some

problem faced by the other races in the United States specifically. He especially talked about

minorities and how difficult its been for them to fit in. His emphasis on the effort required to fit

in proves the point that there is a problem in terms of social acceptance. Thus the obvious flaw in

the American dream itself is how its not really the American dream, rather just the white dream

James Baldwin refused to refer to the American dream as the American dream in itself, referring

to it as only the dream. He refused to acknowledge it as an overall American dream simply

because it wasn’t applicable as an entirely American dream. His text Sonnys Blues has multiple

repeated examples where he talks about it referring to it as the dream. He also shows how the

black community is so used to it now, that is has become the norm for stuff like that to happen.

“They was having fun, they just wanted to scare him, the way they do sometimes, you know.”

(Sonnys Blues; James Baldwin)

This was the protagonists mother talking about his fathers brothers death, and these words of the

protagonists mother held a lot more significance than one would believe them to. The casual

justifying tone around them shows how used to they are to such events and behaviors. This is just
how it is, they were just trying to have fun. This is what the black populace has to deal with. This

is their price for the America. They give up the dream and live under the false illusion, the

pretense of a dream.

The American dream, even when applicable to the black population does not equal that for the

white. A very prominent example in such is the Fresh Prince Of Bel Air. Where the protagonist

(Will Smith) and his cousin (Carlton Banks) are driving an expensive mercedez to a country club

are stopped over by two white policemen and then arrested under the accusation of having stolen

the car. Despite the fact that the policemen had no actual justifiable reason to arrest them, even

when Will decided to lie and confess, they did not follow standard procedure and call in their

lawyer or guardian. The show goes on to talk about black values and principles and how

seriously they’re taken in the black community. The show also emphasizes a divide in the black

community, the privileged and those that aren’t. The show shows Will bullying Carlton over how

hes not black and how hes spoilt

“Roses are Red, Violets are Blue, I know I’m black, but Carlton, what are you?” (Will Smith,

The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air).

Such examples are repeated throughout the show adding a nice touch of comedy while subtly

calling out the different issues faced by minorities in the country. The show uses further

examples to show how the black community especially still isn’t considered “safe” and still isn’t

trusted by the white, thus forming a racial divide. The white haven’t accepted the blacks as actual

participants in the society.

There are many other shows that have called out the white population on their racism, a very

well known example would be Brooklyn 99. Which has a black sergeant and a black openly gay

captain, the difficulties faced by the captain are shown at many intervals during the show, a good
example would be a very famous author who insults the captain on his sexual preference and his

skin color and is in turn punched across the face, showing a change in time. Where the

community in reference has people standing up for them, whether from their own or from other

communities.

The show also deals with racism in short scenes and intervals, calling out the racist attitudes of

different sections and different people in the US. A particularly prominent example would be

when the sergeant was stopped by a racist police officer for walking outside his own house with

his daughters blanket because he was black. This also showed a vary attitude merged with a

sense of arrogance as when the officer meets the sergeant to apologize he apologizes because he

didn’t know the sergeant was a police officer, not for the racial act he had committed. Showing

that he did not think the act of such racial discrimination was wrong.

Having discussed all of this we need to address another question that obviously comes up in such

a debate and to phrase it very simply. Since when?

A study done on Racial acceptance and preference of nursery school children in a southern city

revealed unsurprising results where some of the several conclusions reached were as follows.

“A large majority of the subjects of both races “accepted” both Negro and white playmates with

very few rejecting them for racial reasons… It can be shown that very little racial prejudice was

shown by the subjects.” (Racial acceptance and preference of nursery school children in a

southern city)

And

“Both Negro and white subjects were more likely to prefer the white to the Negro children in the

pictures. It may be hypothesized then that children reared in a racially segregated environment
will develop a bias for the whites at an early age, unless they encounter parental or other

instructions counteracting the impact of the environmental influence.” (Racial acceptance and

preference of nursery school children in a southern city)

It was also clarified that preference for one race did not mean rejection for the other. When no

choice was given, the children accepted the negro playmates very readily.

Another study we can look at is the African American Racial Acceptance in Leisure Activities

and the Importance Given to Children's Leisure. Some of the Major conclusions we can come up

with from this are as follows;

Middle-class African Americans and middle-class European Americans strongly agree on where

African Americans are most likely to be welcomed and where they will not be welcomed,

And,

Middle-class African Americans feel much less welcome in most leisure activities than middle-

class European Americans believe.

As a conclusion, we can consider a question put forward to a Harvard university Professor

Robert Putnam, the question put forward is based mostly on social mobility but is highly

relevant. In simpler words, the question put forward was is the American Dream dying.

Research had shown that those who were born in poverty were more likely to stay in poverty,

regardless of their extra hard work and such was the basis of the question put forward to Robert

Putnam.

His response to the matter was as follows;

“THE EDUCATION HAS BECOME MUCH MORE GOLDEN ROAD TO SUCCESS IN AMERICA AND IF

YOU DON'T HAVE IT YOU ARE IN A HARDER PLACE IN TERMS OF FINDING A JOB. THAT GROWING
INEQUALITY AT THE LEVEL OF ADULTS IS AN IMPORTAN PART OF THE BACKGROUND STORY

HERE.”

In conclusion, the American dream, although well and hopeful in theory is not as practical as it

could have been simply because of the racial divide in the society. The lack of acceptance

generates a certain hostility, the presence of which without a doubt takes away from a possible

solution of equality. The American dream although set about with the correct intentions could

not be followed through as the racial divide generating a social barrier, the social barrier adding a

further obstacle to any path set about leading to social equality. Which means that since the two

communities cannot get along, the more dominant one can and will take away as much as they

can from the other and hence taking away opportunities for reasons based entirely on the racial

difference between the two. Hence rendering the concept of the American dream flawed in itself.

Therefore the American dream is not as legitimate as it should be, in terms of practical

application it works only for a certain community, in a certain racial border.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Essays, UK. (November 2013). The American Dream in The Great Gatsby. Retrieved from

https://www.ukessays.com/essays/english-literature/the-american-dream-in-the-great-gatsby-

english-literature-essay.php?vref=1

Academia, (January 27th, 2015) Understanding Diversity: The Importance of Social Acceptance;

Jacqueline M. Chen and David L. Hamilton. Retrieved from

http://www.academia.edu/11189625/Understanding_Diversity_The_Importance_of_Social_Acce

ptance

Zangrando, J., & Zangrando, R. (1970). Black Protest: A Rejection of the American

Dream. Journal of Black Studies, 1(2), 141-159. Retrieved from

http://www.jstor.org/stable/2783799

Morland, J. (1962). RACIAL ACCEPTANCE AND PREFERENCE OF NURSERY SCHOOL CHILDREN

IN A SOUTHERN CITY. Merrill-Palmer Quarterly of Behavior and Development, 8(4), 271-280. Retrieved

from http://www.jstor.org/stable/23082544

Steven F. Philipp (1999) Are We Welcome? African American Racial Acceptance in Leisure Activities

and the Importance Given to Children's Leisure, Journal of Leisure Research

Richard Putnam (2016) Is the American Dream Dying https://www.wxii12.com/article/is-the-

american-dream-dying/7029039

Jeff Pollack (1990). The Fresh Prince of Bel Air (NBC)

Dan Goor and Michael Schur (2013). Brooklyn 99 (Fox)

Christopher Storer (2017), Hasan Minhaj; Homecoming King (Netflix)

Baldwin, James (1957), Sonny's Blues; Going to Meet the Man, Partisan Review