The American Dream 2.0
What is the American reality?
These are the questions we had to ask ourselves when creating this project. The American Dream 2.0 is our response to the dated idea of America as "The Land of Opportunity" and a meritocracy. We sought to discover the truth.
Video created by Politizane
Finding The Stories
Inspired by videos like this about the current state of the economy, we decided to learn the stories behind the people that live in this unequal world. Each of us we told to interview someone about their "coming of age" and journey to find their American Dream. I chose my mother. She immigrated to the United States from New Zealand when she was 16 in the early 80s. Her story was very inspiring to me because she became independent in an entirely new country at my age. I asked her all about her experience living and working as an immigrant, finding her passion, and her journey to success and happiness. The next step was create a biographical narrative of her life. It started with two pages that were purely biography from our interview questions. Then we wrote two more pages about the history of the decade in which our interviewee became independent. Lastly, for the final product we connect all four pages into one story to go into our book: The American Dream 2.0.
Inspired by videos like this about the current state of the economy, we decided to learn the stories behind the people that live in this unequal world. Each of us we told to interview someone about their "coming of age" and journey to find their American Dream. I chose my mother. She immigrated to the United States from New Zealand when she was 16 in the early 80s. Her story was very inspiring to me because she became independent in an entirely new country at my age. I asked her all about her experience living and working as an immigrant, finding her passion, and her journey to success and happiness. The next step was create a biographical narrative of her life. It started with two pages that were purely biography from our interview questions. Then we wrote two more pages about the history of the decade in which our interviewee became independent. Lastly, for the final product we connect all four pages into one story to go into our book: The American Dream 2.0.
The Exhibition
One of the biggest differences between this project and past projects was the exhibition space. We were lucky enough to be able to exhibit our work at The New Americans Museum in Liberty Station. A museum dedicated to sharing the art and culture of minorities and international cultures. We shared our space with an art piece call "Inscription." A large-scale project by Shinpei Takeda, it was created with the theme of "journey and arrival." We took part in his piece by submitting poems we wrote based on our own journeys. It fit well with our theme of The American Dream and we were honored to have our art alongside it.
One of the biggest differences between this project and past projects was the exhibition space. We were lucky enough to be able to exhibit our work at The New Americans Museum in Liberty Station. A museum dedicated to sharing the art and culture of minorities and international cultures. We shared our space with an art piece call "Inscription." A large-scale project by Shinpei Takeda, it was created with the theme of "journey and arrival." We took part in his piece by submitting poems we wrote based on our own journeys. It fit well with our theme of The American Dream and we were honored to have our art alongside it.
Reflection
Originally, I always assumed The American Dream was to live the life expected in a place claiming to be the “Land of Opportunity.” To utilize the freedoms and opportunities to become more successful than you could anywhere else. It was open to all races and backgrounds. Anyone could achieve it as long as they worked hard enough.
The American Dream 2.0 project has given me much more perspective on what the reality of what people looking for success truly find. Many factors that discriminate people such as race, religion, education, and income have an enormous effect on whether achieving your American Dream is even possible.
I am now much more skeptical of the American Dream and the ideology of calling America the “Land of Opportunity.” After seeing the many different accounts, both good and bad, on how people have been treated in America, I can clearly see that the equality and freedom offered is not everything that it is brought up to be.
My American Dream is to do something that makes a positive impact for generations. Either through writing music that make history, or create new technology to change the world. My personal life would include a nice home in the city with a car and hopefully a wife. However, I never plan to retire. I believe that having a job to do is what keeps people going. The way I want to get all this is through doing what I love most: writing music. Even though the music industry is infamous for being toxic and unforgiving, it is worth it to me to try and make my mark among my musical heros.
I have very high hopes for my American Dream, but my goals are incredibly high-risk high-reward. Sadly, the majority of American’s do not have the opportunity to take incredible risks with their goals. They can’t afford to gamble because if they lose, they have nothing left. I am grateful for my opportunities and my American Dream is to do something amazing with them.
Project-Reflection
What was your most important take-away from The American Dream 2.0 project? How has it impacted your thinking?
Although my view of The American Dream didn't change, it was fascinating to see the stories behind other people that led them to the same place my parents were led to. Learning the different journeys to the destination and what it means to everyone to be here today. Whether they reached or settled for it.
What is your most important production take-away from the American Dream 2.0 Project? How has it impacted your skill sets?
Being in a position with more responsibility has given me a lot of experience a to how I can work with students as both their peer and some accountable for their progress and effort.
What part of the project did you find most challenging? How did you address this challenge?
Working with difficult and/or unmotivated people ad trying to meet deadlines. There was a lot of anxiety to get work done on time and a lot of these factors were determined by a few people who couldn't be trusted to do their part. I often had to approach these people and convince them.
As writing was a huge element in this project, what connections, if any, do you see between your work in this project and your growth as a writer?
I've learned to use revisions in a different way. Rather than just taking people's suggestions, I try to find the root of the issue and try to fix it in a way that comes more natural to the story and my writing style.
Exhibition Reflection
I felt very relieved towards the end of this project. On the day of exhibition I was excited to finally present what we worked hard on for so long. As with every exhibition, there are some things that went well and some things that didn't go so well. I was very happy with what we did with the space. We had a lot of content and not a lot of space and I was surprised how well everything seemed to come together. Unfortunately one aspect of our exhibition, the Lightbox Theaters, felt like they didn't quite live up to what we envisioned. The execution was simply lacking. My favorite part of the entire exhibition was the musical performances. Obviously that would be my favorite since music is my passion but what really stood out to me was how the students reacted to each performance. Many of the student hadn't picked up and instrument before in their lives. Suddenly, they were performing in front of hundreds. But there was no judgement. Only support and positivity. It made me so proud to be a part of this community and made this exhibition very special to me.
Originally, I always assumed The American Dream was to live the life expected in a place claiming to be the “Land of Opportunity.” To utilize the freedoms and opportunities to become more successful than you could anywhere else. It was open to all races and backgrounds. Anyone could achieve it as long as they worked hard enough.
The American Dream 2.0 project has given me much more perspective on what the reality of what people looking for success truly find. Many factors that discriminate people such as race, religion, education, and income have an enormous effect on whether achieving your American Dream is even possible.
I am now much more skeptical of the American Dream and the ideology of calling America the “Land of Opportunity.” After seeing the many different accounts, both good and bad, on how people have been treated in America, I can clearly see that the equality and freedom offered is not everything that it is brought up to be.
My American Dream is to do something that makes a positive impact for generations. Either through writing music that make history, or create new technology to change the world. My personal life would include a nice home in the city with a car and hopefully a wife. However, I never plan to retire. I believe that having a job to do is what keeps people going. The way I want to get all this is through doing what I love most: writing music. Even though the music industry is infamous for being toxic and unforgiving, it is worth it to me to try and make my mark among my musical heros.
I have very high hopes for my American Dream, but my goals are incredibly high-risk high-reward. Sadly, the majority of American’s do not have the opportunity to take incredible risks with their goals. They can’t afford to gamble because if they lose, they have nothing left. I am grateful for my opportunities and my American Dream is to do something amazing with them.
Project-Reflection
What was your most important take-away from The American Dream 2.0 project? How has it impacted your thinking?
Although my view of The American Dream didn't change, it was fascinating to see the stories behind other people that led them to the same place my parents were led to. Learning the different journeys to the destination and what it means to everyone to be here today. Whether they reached or settled for it.
What is your most important production take-away from the American Dream 2.0 Project? How has it impacted your skill sets?
Being in a position with more responsibility has given me a lot of experience a to how I can work with students as both their peer and some accountable for their progress and effort.
What part of the project did you find most challenging? How did you address this challenge?
Working with difficult and/or unmotivated people ad trying to meet deadlines. There was a lot of anxiety to get work done on time and a lot of these factors were determined by a few people who couldn't be trusted to do their part. I often had to approach these people and convince them.
As writing was a huge element in this project, what connections, if any, do you see between your work in this project and your growth as a writer?
I've learned to use revisions in a different way. Rather than just taking people's suggestions, I try to find the root of the issue and try to fix it in a way that comes more natural to the story and my writing style.
Exhibition Reflection
I felt very relieved towards the end of this project. On the day of exhibition I was excited to finally present what we worked hard on for so long. As with every exhibition, there are some things that went well and some things that didn't go so well. I was very happy with what we did with the space. We had a lot of content and not a lot of space and I was surprised how well everything seemed to come together. Unfortunately one aspect of our exhibition, the Lightbox Theaters, felt like they didn't quite live up to what we envisioned. The execution was simply lacking. My favorite part of the entire exhibition was the musical performances. Obviously that would be my favorite since music is my passion but what really stood out to me was how the students reacted to each performance. Many of the student hadn't picked up and instrument before in their lives. Suddenly, they were performing in front of hundreds. But there was no judgement. Only support and positivity. It made me so proud to be a part of this community and made this exhibition very special to me.