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Personal Narrative: My American Dream

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The story of the American Dream is as old as the Republic itself: come to America for a fresh start, work hard, seize the opportunities here to do better than your parents, and reach financial success for the benefit of your family. Does that American Dream still apply in today’s rapidly changing world, particularly in Silicon Valley? While my life so far looks like the culmination of an American Dream, I have been unaware that there are many people who do not live my lifestyle and who lack my opportunities. Many live hard lives of financial struggle, including my ancestors, as I only recently learned. Although I believe I have personally experienced the American Dream, I have begun to realize that many people around me and from my family’s …show more content…
I was born into, and spent my childhood in, an affluent part of Southern California near Pasadena. I attended private schools, excelled in many of my studies, and graduated from high school in 2011. I pursued several extracurricular activities, including being a member of a swim team and becoming a Boy Scout. After my final year on the swim team, I was bestowed the Burdette Award, a lifetime achievement award for our team due to my many years of hard work and perseverance for the team. As a Boy Scout, I earned the rank of Eagle Scout, which is the highest ranking in Boy Scouting. I also twice visited the Philmont High Adventure base in New Mexico, in 2009 for a 65-mile trek and in 2011 for an 8-day horseback riding trip. I marched in the Annual Rose Parade at 2012 as an Eagle Scout carrying a banner for a parade float. Reflecting on my life to this point, I am proud of how I have maximized my …show more content…
From that experience I have witnessed many challenges amongst coworkers and customers. People exhibit signs that they are struggling to afford a place to live. Coworkers have trouble with both family and financial issues, such as one who lives in her car, and another who works two nearly full-time jobs and yet states that he cannot afford to retire. The lack of affordable housing not only affects my coworkers, but also customers talk about their housing issues. Some customers ask for empty boxes to load their belongings because they are being forced to move out of their homes. Homeless people loiter at the public tables at the front of Safeway, such that the tables remained so dirty that they were removed. A recent survey of Americans found that nearly half the people surveyed would have trouble covering an emergency expense of only $400 (Lawler). Many people are struggling day-by-day so the long-term promise of the American Dream must seem very far away to

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