An Unfortunate Asterisk to the American Narrative

As I was reading one of our classmate's blog post, a quote on their home page caught my attention: "This is the story of America. Everybody's doing what they think they're supposed to do" -Jack Kerouac. This is a pretty bold statement, for it argues that Americans are not individuals, but conformists. At first, I was surprised and rather offended by the claim, because I have been trained into accepting America's dominant narrative as its reality. Our class saw a good portrayal of this dominant narrative at the beginning of the year when we watched the Chevy commercial, which characterized America as a populace of hard working, self-made individuals. Although I believe Kerouac's statement to be an over generalization of Americans, I agree there are many aspects of American society that breed followers, rather than leaders. 

Take the example of society's view of success. In today's world, the success which is commonly celebrated and praised, is marked by predictable and conventional achievements, such as getting into a "good" college, landing a well paying job, and living in a nice neighborhood with a happy family. It seems that any other road to success that does not comply with these "all American cornerstones," is simply, a failed attempt at happiness. And since no one wants to be unhappy, or more importantly because no one wants to be labeled as a failure, isn't it easier to abandon our dreams, that run the risk of failure, and follow society's conventional road to success? This thought process is where we as a nation fall victim to conformity. Of course, there are the exceptions to the rule. Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Guy Starbuck surely did not let the fear of failing and being rejected by society stop them from pursuing their dreams. However, many average Americans do feel the pull of the desire to be accepted, believing that happiness and success will come with it. 

Given the countless crisis's ailing our world today, Americans cannot afford to be doing what everyone else is doing, or doing what "they think they're supposed to do" as dictated by society. We need to stand apart from the crowd as strong leaders. Otherwise, the future of our nation and our world is sure to be doomed if everyone continues to put the job off for someone else.

Melting Pot traded in for a Tossed Salad

Remember that guy Crevecoeur who we studied during our Dreams and Realities Unit? He was French and moved to America in pursuit of a better life. He wrote about his observations about his new life in "Letters from an American Farmer." He reported: "They are a mixture of English, Scotch, Irish, French, Dutch, Germans, and Swedes. From this promiscuous breed, that race now called Americans has arisen...The American ought therefore to love this country much better than that wherein either he or his forefathers were born. Here the rewards of his industry follow with equal steps the progress of his labour." 

Isn't it interesting that while Crevecoeur writes: "Here individuals of all nations are melted into a new race of men," he's only describing those from European roots? American society today includes various African American, Asian, Hispanic, and Middle Eastern populations. And since America prides itself on being a "melting pot", and because we elected an African American President, modern America is no longer racist or discriminatory, and thus includes all within its borders as a true "American", right? 

WRONG!!!

An Article I found discusses the difficulty individuals of Arab, Muslim, Sikh, Middle Eastern, and South Asian groups had getting hired post 911. For example, some employers failed to hire those who wore turbans, because they judged there was a connection between the individual seeking employment and Osama bin Laden. Ziad Asali of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee reported: "I came to this country believing it to be the beacon for democracy, equality, and justice for all...however their (those of Middle Eastern, Muslim, or Arab decent) American dream has turned into a nightmare, as a result of the criminal acts of others, they are labeled as criminals." 

While America appears to be making progress in considering Blacks and Whites as equal, what about all of the other racial and ethnic groups out there? White's justified discriminatory attitudes against Blacks because they believed Blacks were simply intellectually inferior. And in our modern society today, people justify these similar prejudice judgments of Middle Eastern, Arab, and Islamic's because they're from the same side of the globe as terrorists and thus could be a potential security threat.

America is not a melting pot, it's a toss salad, with all the pieces distinguishable from their appearance. America can not possibly be a melting pot until we stop waiving our prejudices with falsified justifications, and start treating everyone like a true "American."

"I Hate To Be Rude But..."

You've seen or heard them-those courageous, hopeful, and often tone death individuals who think they're the next American Idol. They dress up in ridiculous costumes, sing ear piercing renditions of Whitney Houston and attempt to be Simon Cowell's next BFF. They air on the most watched parts of the most popular reality show on television, American Idol's audition week.

Many viewers attribute their love of American Idol to be largely due to the judge, Simon Cowell's horrendous criticisms of the auditioners. Kate Lovler, a fan, claims in a May 15, 2008 article of the New York Times that his comments are "fresh, original, and a huge part of the reason why Idol's such a success. I wouldn't watch if it wasn't for him." 

However Simon as well as other judge's comments may be scripted. A March 2007 article published in The Independent, a British newspaper, offered a behind-the-scenes look at Idol, reporting that judges watch the television feeds of the dress rehearsal to "give themselves an idea of what comments they will make when the show goes live." 

How does this evidence take away from the charm of the reality hit show, "American Idol"? It appears that viewers are deeply romanticizing the clever, witty comments of Simon Cowell for they are far from original. Seems like a funny thing to romanticize, since Cowell's trade mark comment, "I hate to be rude but that was TERRIBLE" is far from romantic. 

Three Cups of Tea::Three doses of agency

Deep in the Karakoram mountains, the inhabitants of an impoverished Pakistanian village were financially oppressed by the government. The leaders of Pakistan spent the money, which was meant to be spent on the education of the country's citizens, on bombs and other weapons. Without the means to build schools, buy supplies, or hire teachers, children were only able to have classes outside once a week. Trapped in a cycle of impoverishment and illiteracy, the inhabitants of the small village had little hope for their future.

However, in 1993 a mountaineer by the name of Greg Mortenson was taken to the village after a failed attempt to climb the K2. Stricken by the dire circumstances of the people in the village and touched by their genuine kindness and generosity to nurse him back to health, Mortenson promised to return and build a school. Over the next 10 years, Mortenson built fifty-five schools-especially for girls-in the forbidding terrain that gave birth to the Taliban. 

In a country where Americans are often feared and hated, the good deed of a single man was able to deliver and inspire agency among the citizens of the impoverished Pakistanian village. Although this act was not able to directly defy the oppression imposed onto the village, his influence of agency freed the villagers from relying on the government financially. Greg Mortenson's experience can be read about in his book "Three Cups of Tea." This amazing story 

of determination, good will, and humanitarianism shows what a powerful force agency can be. 

Talk of "Castles in the Air" Detrimental?

In Henry David Thoreau's essay on "Civil Disobedience," he states:

"That if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours...If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be" (256). 

When we talked about this passage in class, we deciphered that it was primarily idealistic, and that although it was inspirational, Thoreau failed to supply his readers with pragmatic advice as to how they could start "living the life which he has imagined." 

In today's society, this same follow-your-dreams motivation tactic can be found in our every day lives. It seems that parents are over nurturing their kids, covering up failure's with presents or awards, all to keep their children from realizing they have not succeeded. Trophies are given out to the losing team at soccer games, and green participation ribbons are awarded to the last runner who crosses the finish line at track meets. 

While it is essential for parents and mentor figures to motivate kids and teach them the value of having a dream, when does this stop becoming helpful, and start becoming detrimental? If kids grow up believing that truly "anything is possible," how will they react when they meet failure's inevitable grip in the real world? 

As critical readers and thinkers, our American Studies class does not take Thoreau's statement literally, as we know from experience that there are limitations to our dreams, however kids cease to know more than what they are taught. If their teachers raise them to build "castles in the air" and do not teach them how to build a proper foundation, than their castles, simple or complex, will surely crumble.

A dip in Walden Pond

In the mid 1840's, Henry David Thoreau moved to a cabin in the woods to search for the necessities in life and seek how he could achieve them. He then recorded his observations about life and society in his book "Walden." Here, he argues that "our life is frittered away by detail" and urges us to cut back on the frivolous to obtain essential "Simplicity" (73). 

Each year, my family embarks on a similar endeavor by venturing to our cabin in the woods of northern Canada. Here, my family and I escape from "reality" for 10 days or so while we take a step back from our structured, bustling lives to the serenity and relaxation of nature. Our log cabin is small and simple, consisting of 2 bedrooms (to sleep 4 people and 1 dog), a kitchen, a screened in porch, and a bathroom. Our life here is very remote. We just got indoor plumbing 5 years ago, do not have air conditioning, heat, TVs, computers, or even phones. We try to provide for ourselves and many of our meals come from the fish we catch. 

With the secludedness of our surroundings, it's impossible not to become one with nature. Our cabin is on 6 acres of land, overlooking a beautiful lake and in the midst of a thick forest. Our neighbors are bears, moose, wolves, and beavers who often times drop by to say hello.

Since the day time temperature can differ up to 40 degrees from the night's, we pack what we need to stay comfortable. Sweatshirts, sweatpants, jeans,  rain jackets, t-shirts, and shorts fill our suitcases. A "fashionable" item has yet to make the cut.

This trip my family considers a vacation may seem unbearable and boring to some. Although it may not fit the standards of a "common" north shore family vacation, my memories from Canada rank among the best of my life. Since there are very few man made distractions, I'm able to spend time with my family as we go hiking up mountains, fishing while the sun sinks into a gilded sky at sunset, or swimming in the rain. As we are immersed into nature, we become one with its rejuvenating powers and its beauty. 

It today's world, it seems unthinkable to be happy without the Internet, our cell phones, ipods, and 3 story houses. However, from experience, I can agree with Thoreau when he claims "Most of the luxuries, and many of the so-called comforts of life, are not only not indispensable, but positive hindrances to the elevation of mankind" (10). To reiterate an echo from the past-one should take a dip in Walden Pond, and see what it's like to live without unnecessary clutter. There they will find what's truly important in life. 

"Stop and Smell the Roses"

While reading Ralph Waldo Emerson's "Self Reliance," I came across an interesting passage which parallels to a phenomenon occurring at New Trier: "But man postpones or remembers; he does not live in the present, but with reverted eye laments the past, or, heedless of the riches that surround him, stands on tiptoe to foresee the future. He cannot be happy and strong until he too lives with nature in the present, above time" (29). 

This concept of living in the present is very foreign New Trier students. We are constantly reliving our mistakes of the past or thinking about the future. New Trier's structure and expectations make it rather difficult not to. We feel the pressure to exceed at standardized tests like the ACT/SAT, make the best grades, and be the most "involved." All so we can get into a "good school." This makes it feel as if we are determining our future by what course of action we take in high school. Thus is it even possible to ultimately "live with nature in the present?" 

As we've been discussing in class, we must not take Emerson's arguments as literal claims, but rather except them as extremes to portray a message more effectively. We must do the same with the connotations of this passage. In Emerson's age, it was unthinkable to conceive that any human being could be as over scheduled and overachieving as our present generation is. Therefore, since Emerson was not writing for this generation as his audience, we must take his argument as more of a guideline than a rule. Of course it is not possible with the expectations and pressure put on us to live completely in the present. However it is important to realize our present. Despite our busy schedules, we must stop occasionally to "smell the roses." After all, "nothing can bring you peace but yourself"(38)-a claim which remains a universal truth to all generations.