The American Dream

Imagine  after a long arduous voyage across the unknown depths you see a shining beacon coming up in the distance. As you get closer the giant green lady holds that beaconing torch stands tall and strong to greet you. Her greeting bellows out to all who come:

"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Lady Liberty embodies all that is the American Dream, a pursuit noble and worthy of commemoration.

The American Dream itself is the biggest enticement for any immigrant yearning for America. It is because of this dream that millions have come to our shores, and millions more hope to do so.  Since the birth of the country there has never been a shortage of wanting immigrants, from persecuted English pilgrims to the starving Irish farmers to outcast Jews to the war bloodied Vietnamese refugees to those who want just a better tomorrow, the list has not been dry.
This is my speech commemorating the American Dream for my public speaking class with Mitnick.
*****


The American Dream is the ultimate culmination of all the yearnings and hopes that fresh immigrants have. It vindicates the decision to take flight and shelter in America, to walk and live amongst the foreign, to contribute part of American culture, to create a better future, to live free. After years of struggles, immigrants can look back and see how far they've come. Take Andrew Carnegie, Scottish immigrant turned business mogul or Barack Obama born of an immigrant father, now lead of the free world, two of many examples who have achieved and prospered.

The American Dream is a personal relevation for me. I'm a first generation immigrant in pursuit of the American Dream. The road has been long and not without its bumps, but I think I've made a good leg of the journey and the American Dream is within my grasp. I've avoided many pitfalls and went on to higher education to open more doors, I'm to be graduating this spring. I've earned and made my mark and post graduation prospects are bright. I've learned and experienced so much in my continuing pursuit of the American dream. Pursuing the American Dream has even lead me to be aboard the MV Explorer to sail the world. All in all I think the effort has been worth it.

Heralding back to Lady Liberty's greeting, her words are etched into my mind like glowing embers. I was tired and poor. I was the huddled masses yearning to be free. I was tempest-tossed. I am not anymore,  I'm living the American Dream.