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Analysis Of Race, Gender, And Privilege In The Pursuit Of The American Dream

1007 Words5 Pages

Max Weber's conceptual framework for understanding race, class, gender, and sexuality provides an invaluable lens for examining the dynamics of exclusion and privilege in the pursuit of the American Dream. This essay will explore how Weber's six common themes of race, ethnicity, color-blind racism, white privilege, assimilation, and intersectionality can lead to the exclusion of certain groups from achieving the American Dream due to their race, class, gender, and sexuality.

In JO Calmore’s 1982 article published in the Oregon Law Review, the author dives into the historical and current implications of race on the American Dream. Calmore notes that many of the Founding Fathers of the United States “made clear that only privileged white men …show more content…

Weber identified six core themes that help explain the dynamics of inclusion and exclusion within the American Dream: stratification, social closure, status group, group solidarity, life chances, and authority. Stratification notes how economic inequalities are organized along race and gender lines, such that certain individuals can access more opportunities based on their race or gender, therefore achieving a higher socio-economic status within society. Social closure reflects the political power in the hands of dominant groups, which is organized to prevent other marginalized groups from achieving the American Dream. Status group refers to the development of identity and sense of belonging based on both race and class. Group solidarity is the principle that acknowledges that class based systems rely on the exclusion of certain groups, such as those of a different race or gender, to preserve the social hierarchy of dominance. Life chances reflect the reality that individuals within a class may have different access to resources, opportunities, and networks depending on their race and gender. Finally, authority refers to the current power organizing America which implies that certain race and gender identities are in privileged positions of power, granting them access and advantages within society. Together, these six core themes create a comprehensive framework for understanding how race, class, gender, and sexuality intersect and ultimately impact people's ability to achieve the American

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The author of An Open Letter to Ta-Nehisi Coates, Jason D. Hill, wrote this letter to Coates. In it, Hill openly expressed his disagreement about Coate’s idea of The American Dream. The author felt the obligation to contradict Coates to let him know that The American Dream exists for everyone no matter the color of their body. The author is a proud American citizen and loyal to the United States even when he is an immigrant and he is concern about how Coates, a born in the United States can talk about the American Dream as a “Horror Story.” Jason D. Hill was born in Jamaica, he was 20 years old when he entered the United States.

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In this era of colorblindness, it is not acceptable to talk about race nor class. Conversations about class, Alexander argues, tend not to be talked about because one tends to see class as a reflection of one’s character. With that, the premise of American ideology is the idea that if one can work hard enough it is guaranteed that one will make it—AKA meritocracy. Hence, when one does not have the “proper discipline” nor “drive” to move from the lower to upper class—it is a reflection of one’s moral character. Alexander maintains that what is missed in this debate is that Blacks are not free to move up at all; yes they also do not have the same opportunities and are plagued by poverty, but they are prevented by institutions to move up.

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As such the American Dream continues the idea that any person who resides within the United States has equal access and opportunity to succeed no matter their socio-economic class, political beliefs, or background. These ideas are not the original reckoning of the founding fathers, but rather inspired by the great thinkers of the Enlightenment. The Enlightenment was one of the greatest ideological influences of the writers of the constitution (Smith, 2). The idea of entitlement to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness from birth comes from John Locke (“Voices of the Revolution: Two Great Thinkers”). Locke is notable for his ideology and its impact on the United States.

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George Washington was born on February 22, 1732, in at his family’s plantation on Pope’s Creek in Westmoreland County, of the British countryside of Virginia. His father is Augustine, and his mother is Mary Washington. He had nine siblings three brothers, three half-brothers, one sister, and two half-sisters and he spent most of his time at Ferry Farm a plantation owned by his father. It was near Fredericksburg, Virginia. He spent most of his time working on the farm until he was twelve because his father had died.

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