Gilman 1

Rebecca Gilman

Professor Fernandez English 111 Nov 25, 2010 American Dream Is the American Dream equally accessible for both a white male and a Mexican male, or do they face different challenges? In Stephen Cruz, for instance, Studs Terkel writes about the struggles Cruz faces in the business world as a Mexican male working on his American Dream. In addition, in Haratio Alger Haron L. Dalton illustrates that Horatio Algers formula is false, and that he believes there are greater struggles for those in poverty to achieve the American Dream. Although Terkel and Dalton essays prove differently on the lower class successfully obtaining the American Dream, both authors agree a person is not judged solely on merits, and both indicate that we do not all have fair opportunities and disclose this through stereotypes. The main difference in the two essays is that Terkel essay shows the struggle Cruz faces while rising above poverty and reaching for wealth, where Dalton is presents how it is difficult to move from poverty to prosperity. Terkel essay illustrates Cruzs journey in the business world while he reaches for his dream. For example, Cruz grew up in the trashy white area because it was all his family could afford, but he wanted to grow up to make money and not be poor. He writes, hell we knew where the bucks were, I went right over to the registrars office and signed up for engineering (353). Cruz attitude is similar to the little boy in Looking for Work by Gary Soto, just like Cruz, the boy wanted to become wealthy (27). Terkel goes on to reveal

Gilman 2 that even though Cruz struggles with discrimination because he was a Mexican, in the end he reached his goal. Fifty thousand dollars a year puts you in the one or two top percent of all Americans (357). The final result is that Cruz does achieve his dream, he earns a large amount of money a year, and he just went through more challenges being a Mexican. On the other hand, Haron L. Dalton essay is to confirm his belief that the Alger formula is false and that it is difficult to move from poverty to prosperity. For instance, he explains this is difficult because we do not all start out on equal grounds and we do not all receive equal opportunities (280). Another example Dalton gives on the difficultly a person in the lower class undergoes is, it is by now generally agreed that there is a large category of Americassome have called it the underclassfor whom upward mobility is practically impossible (280). This generally agreed theory Dalton is referring to is also illustrated in, Class in America ---2003, by Gregory Mantsios, he agrees that it is difficult for an individual to move from one class to a higher class (307). In spite of the difference in the two essays, both Terkel and Dalton prove that an individual is not judged solely on merit. Terkel shows how Stephen Cruz realizes his job offers and promotions were because of his skin color not because of his merits. For example, Cruz shares that he received fourteen job offers, but it could have been a hundred (353). He never thought it was because of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 he thought it was because he was so goddamned brilliant (354). Then his eyes were open to the fact that it was because of the Civil Rights Act, not because of his merit. Until then I never questioned the American Dream. I was convinced if you worked hard, you could make it. I never considered myself different (354). Another example of this is when Cruz is promoted after 2years. Again, I thought it was because I was such a brilliant guy (354). However, he realized that it was more because, ... as a

Gilman 3 Mexican I was more acceptable because I wasnt really black (354). Cruz realizes he was being acknowledged because he is Mexican, not because of his accomplishments or knowledge. The businesses needed to hire minorities, and he was more acceptable to them than a black coworker (354). Harlon L. Dalton also argues that a person is not judged on merits alone. For instance, he shares a story about a young black student who received the National Merit Scholarship. Instead of being recognized as the best student, he was recognized as the best Black student around (279). Dalton argues that if the student was judge on merits alone there would be no mention of his skin color. Furthermore, he informs us of another student that was not judged on her merits alone. This student asked for a letter of recommendation from her professor. In the professor letter of recommendation he, described her as the best Black student to have ever taken his class (279). This professor is only comparing this student to other black students. Where does this student stand among the other students that had taken this professor class? Dalton proves, again, with this example she is not judged just on her merits. Moreover, both Terkel and Dalton exhibit that we do not all have fair opportunities and disclosed through stereotypes. Terkels essay demonstrates that people of different race are stereotyped against and how this can play a role in the work place. Stephen Cruz shows how his new manger believes in a stereotype about blacks. I received instructions from him on how I should interview blacks. Just check and see if they smell, okay? (354). In addition, he describes the stereotypes for a Mexican, youre a happy guy to have around, pleasant but emotional.good to have as part of the management team, as long as you werent allowed to make decisions (355). And to Cruz, the American dream began to look so damn complicated (355).

Gilman 4 In addition, Dalton also shows that it is hard not to underestimate an individual by their skin (279-280). Dalton confirms that he himself underestimates people due to stereotypes, I honestly am surprised every time I see a White man who can play basketball above the rim... (280). Another example he gives on how people misjudge others is when he refers to how Cubans and Puerto Ricans are surprised if they see an American who can salsa well (280). With these two examples Dalton proves that an individual is first judged on color. This establishes his theory that everyone is not given fair opportunities to succeed. Dalton does recognize that it is not required that we be given an equal opportunity to succeed (280). However, if we could put aside stereotypes we would be one step closer to giving equal opportunities. If you were to ask Studs Terkel and Harlon L Dalton if the American Dream was equally achievable for all, they would both agree that it is not. Both essays show that the Haratio Alger formula, in Harlon Dalton essay, is false. They both reveal that individuals are looked at differently based on the color of their skin and not just on their merits. In addition, they show how stereotypes can cause a person not to have fair opportunities. In the end, both writers prove that although the American Dream is achievable it is not equal for all.

Gilman 5

Work Cited Colombo, Gary, Cullen, Roberts, and Lisle, Bonnie, eds. Reading America: Cultural Contexts for Critical Thinking and Writing. 7th ed. Boston: Bedford Books of St. Maritins Press, 2007. Dalton, Harlon L. Horatio Alger. Colombo. 278 - 283. Mantsios, Gregory. Class in America--- 2003. Colombo. 307 322. Soto, Gary. Looking for Work. Colombo. 26 31. Terkel, Studs. Stephen Cruz. Colombo. 353 357.