Assertion Analysis #4: The American Way

     There's no way like the American Way right? Driving down the road on a sunny day, with your wife, kids and dog, perfection. A billboard put up all over America during the 1950s depicts that. Curtis Mayfield, American Singer-Songwriter, sees that and in his album There's no place like America Today gives us his own interpretation of The American Way, it's slowly fading away.
   The "There's no way like the American Way" was a billboard that was put all across America during the 1950s, telling the viewer, 'If you come to America, this is how you'll be living'. "World's highest standard of living" is printed on the top inside a banner that's red, white and blue, those are the colors of the flag. Next, there is your stereotypical 'American' family. The dad, mom, son, daughter, and dog, all of which are white. They all seem happy, the sun is out, they have smiles on their faces, this is truly The American Dream.
     Curtis Mayfield's There's no place like America Today album cover depicts a similar image of the billboard except the colors are a bit different. The bright blue sky now is an afternoon, "the dream is starting to fade away." The family, still the same except their skin tone is not as bright as in the billboard. The juxtaposition of having the family living The American Dream on the billboard being happy and the people of color standing in front of the billboard is the first thing you would notice. While the billboard behind them is not as bright in the previous pic, the colors are not as dull as the people standing in front of the billboard. The people in front of the billboard are also heading the opposite way of the family, and the way that they're standing there alludes to The Great Depression. The people standing, looking for food or jobs, trying to make something our of their current situation. They won't find in The American Dream, that's why they're heading away from it. Finally, in the background of the cover, there are buildings that also contrasts the colors on the billboard. Symbolizing that America, isn't as bright and beautiful as it may has been, or how it is advertised.
     Curtis Mayfield depicts The American Way in a different light than what is advertised. 'If you live in America, you'll be happy driving down the road with your family, I forgot to mention that you're supposed to be white.' My father, when asked the question "Are you living The American Dream?" would respond with, "Yes I am." It is what you consider success to be. For my parents, it would be having a job, and raising kids here in America. They could've have went and lived back in The Philippines but they chose America and are happy seeing me and my brothers grow. It's the same with my extended family. Of course, there are people of color who are living terrible lives, but there are people that have rose against that and became successful, like Tupac. I'm sure that The American Dream exists, it's just that people aren't working hard enough.

Assertion Analysis #3: Rose from Concrete

     Tupac Shakur, was an American rapper, grew up out of East Harlem, New York and became one of the most influential rappers in history despite going through many hardships in his life. His poetry often reflects those hardships. "Rose from Concrete" one of Tupac's poems, reflects his view on The American Dream, even though someone may be successful and influential, they would still be judged based on their background.
     Tupac starts the poem off by telling the reader that if they saw a rose growing from concrete, then they would "marvel at seeing a rose grow through concrete." He compares that to a ghetto kid growing up in the streets and becoming successful. After the comparison, he relates that to his own life, saying "all you can talk about my dirty rose, my dirty stems, and how I'm leaning crooked to the side." He is criticizing those who only look at the negatives of his life. He ends the poem off with, "You can't even see that I've come up from out of that" Tupac is disappointed in the people who cannot look past that fact that he grew up in Harlem.
   Tupac started from the bottom, and is now at the top as one of the most influential rappers. There are those who truly believe that his story is inspirational and are trying to make it to the top as well, but at the same time, there are those who will criticize him and call him out for being raised in Harlem. The American Dream was reality for Tupac, and it could be a reality for anyone if they work hard enough.
   
   
   
   

Assertion Analysis #2: Burger King Bill of Rights

      The American Bill of Rights states the "unalienable rights" that this country is founded on. It is also the foundation of what The American Dream is all about; with these rights you would be able to be successful in America. Many people believe that, like the American Dream, it does not apply to them. Brad Blum, former CEO of Burger King, believes that those rights along with the American Dream applies to everybody in his Burger King Bill of Rights.
     Brad Blum starts it off with "You have the right" which already alludes to the American Bill of Rights. He follows that off with, "...to have things your way" which was the slogan for Burger King. Blum then starts to compare an American citizen, to a customer at Burger King, telling the reader that they have the right to "hold the pickles and hold the lettuce" "to mix Coke and Sprite" and even "the right to a Whopper sandwich." Which are all things you can do as a customer at Burger King; we, as American citizens, have all of these rights. Blum also starts to reflect his stance on The American Dream. "You have the right to put a paper crown... and pretend you're the ruler of '(your make-believe kingdom here'" you can make yourself a powerful person in the world, because you're here in America, you have all of these rights. And if you don't believe him, "You have the right to crumple this Bill of Rights into a ball and shoot hoops with it." because you're an American, you have these rights.
     Brad Blum believes that The American Dream is alive and well and that everyone in America has the right to do anything they want to. Whether the reader believes him or not all depends on the experiences an individual has had living in America.