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.