Ideology of American Dream and Racial Discrimination Discussion

Help me study for my Social Science class. I’m stuck and don’t understand.

Race and Reparations Discussion Board

Post Due: 10/7 at 11:59pm

Replies Due: 10/11 at 11:59pm

Now that we’ve read and annotated several articles, it’s time to start to form our own ideas about how dominant ideologies are formed and examine alternative narratives.

Please respond to all of the following questions by posting directly into the discussion board (do not upload an attachment).

1. One of our most prevalent and dominant ideologies in this country is the American Dream of success and individual opportunity. We can help define this through Colombo et al’s examination in ReReading America:

• • “Since the first European colonists came to the ‘New World’ some four centuries ago, America has been synonymous with the idea of individual opportunity. …. For some Americans, the dream of success is the very foundation of everything that’s right about life in the United States. For others, the American dream is a cultural mirage that keeps workers happy in low-paying jobs while their bosses pocket the profits of an unfair system. But whether you embrace or reject the dream of success, you can’t escape its influence. As Americans, we are steeped in a culture that prizes individual achievement; growing up in the United States, we are told again and again by parents, teachers, advertisers, Hollywood writers, politicians, and opinion makers that we, too, can achieve our dream– that we, too, can ‘Just Do It’ if we try. …. We each define success in our own way, but ultimately, the myth of success defines who we are and what we think, feel, and believe.” (Colombo et al, p.3).
  • Questions: Colombo et al argue that success may be defined differently by each individual, but that we cannot escape the larger cultural ideal of the American Dream. How do you see the American Dream present in our society? How is it a part of our larger societal institutions (i.e. education, the justice system, capitalism, consumerism, etc)? How would you expand Colombo et al’s definition of the American Dream? Why do you think this is one of the most dominant ideologies in America?

2. If we view the Coates article as an alternative narrative to the dominant ideology of the American Dream– in what ways is Coates challenging the idea of individual opportunity? What does he show us about how the black community is given (or denied) access to opportunity? What are some of the specific oppressive structures or practices that have excluded the black community from accessing the American Dream?

3. Both Coates and Aja propose reparations of some kind as a means of rectifying the exclusionary and intentional practices of racism in America. Why have reparations remained an alternative narrative? Why haven’t they gained traction, despite the late Congressman John Conyer’s HR40 Bill being presented to Congress every year for 25 years (as discussed in the Coates article)? What does it take for an alternative narrative to become part of the dominant ideology?

**Note: You must post your initial response before seeing any of your classmates’ posts.**

Posting Requirements (Due 10/7 11:59pm):

• Your post must be 300+ words and answer all questions listed above
• You must cite at least 2 articles– refer to both authors by name, integrate some kind of citation (either a direct quote or a paraphrase)
• You should not summarize the articles; instead focus on analyzing and responding to them.

Peer Response Requirements (Due 10/11 11:59pm):

• Please respond to one of your group member’s initial posts, and then reply to one comment your group members left on your own post (I would encourage you to respond to any questions they posed and engage with their interpretations). You should post 2 replies total.
• Your replies should be 150+ words
• In your reply, (1) say hi and tell your peer what you liked about their post. What captured your attention? What did you find interesting or engaging? Be specific here and point to specific things they said. (2) Pose some questions and help them expand their thinking. Identify one or two specific things they said that you want to further discuss. How can you expand their ideas here? What other perspectives or ideas could they consider? Do you have a different interpretation of this issue or article? Why?

Discussion Board Rubric:

• 9-10 pts: Expresses a clear and thoughtful position on the issue of cultural narratives. Directly references the articles and cites them directly. Provides clear and detailed analysis of the articles, showing how both authors agree/disagree and how their own ideas fit within the context of the articles. Peer response is generous and follows all criteria.
• 7-8 pts: Expresses a position on the issue of cultural narratives, but needs more detailed language and analysis. References authors by name but does not deeply analyze– provides too much summary. Peer reply is complete.
• 5-6 pts: Language is vague and does not establish a clear position on the issue. Does not refer to either author, or only references them vaguely. Very limited analysis of the articles and/or issue. Peer reply is complete but lacks substance.
• 4 pts or under: Post is incomplete and does not meet criteria– missing a major component of the assignment. No peer response is provided.