The term American dream was first used by James Truslow Adams in his book The Epic of America (1931). The book defined the American dream as “that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement….dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position.” (What is the American Dream?).
Martin Luther King dreamed of racial equality, John Winthrop envisioned a religious paradise in a ‘city upon a hill’. The question is how far they have been successful. How many war veterans of World War II were able to settle down, have a home, a car with a family? Did Martin Luther King feel his dream was attained? Did Malcolm X realize his dreams? Did the immigrants who settled in America find peace and prosperity? The answers to these questions are the ‘American reality!
American history is replete with stories of discrimination against women, Native Americans, people of color, and people of Japanese descent who were incarcerated during World War II and the workers. But it should also be noted that these groups did not remain quiet and “along with that repression came resistance among all the groups mentioned…suffrage movement, the abolition movement, the fight for women’s rights, for workers right, for the rights of indigenous people” says Sara Jones, an exceptional actor who is for rights of women. (Magazine).
The topic of our concern is the reality that is faced by women, blacks, and war veterans who are associated with the American army. These three sections are inseparable when we referred to the struggle they have put in to realize their dreams and every soldier attains status due to position. It is noteworthy that the U.S. army can be discussed through these perspectives. The reality IS shocking! The U.S. Army has to its credit success in almost every battle they have fought. Most prized and most favored are the armed forces that the dark cloud within them has not been noted. On account of various issues, women, blacks, and war veterans, in their desperate attempts to realize the American dream have only suffered setbacks. It would not be unwise to dwell upon the issues that surround them. Women have always been fighting for their rights and against the atrocities meted out to them from every direction. The blacks have always had their fair share of abuse and the war veterans have been the neglected lot shunned by society and the American army. It would be enriching enough to discuss the past and the present of the U.S. army from these three significant perspectives.
Women throughout history, in America or in any other part of the world have forever struggled to attain recognition. There was a time when women were treated in sub-human conditions and her plight was restored invariably due to her efforts alone. Rape and torture by soldiers continue to haunt the lives of many women in and around America. Living under harsh conditions, the American soldiers in a desperate attempt to give vent to their feelings commit crimes against women. In the past, the rate of crimes by soldiers was alarming. Women were hapless creatures, mute spectators to their dismantled bodies. Now their condition, though not yet improved, has not worsened. Rape and sexual assault are quite rampant in the US military. Women soldiers employed in the Middle East reported rape and sexual assault by their fellow soldiers. They seem to fear not the enemies but their own countrymen! To add to their woes, they do not receive adequate testing for sexually transmitted diseases and their pleas turn a deaf ear. Could you imagine the traumatic situation of the women who suffer causalities as their men soldiers? They could be worse sufferers than war veterans. At a recent party, a female general was sexually assaulted. What more is needed to draw insight into the deplorable attitude of the army! It is reported that only 5 to 6% of soldiers accused of domestic violence are ever court marshaled. (Maki). Rape, in the U.S. Army, has acquired horrifying proportions and it is high time that suitable action is taken in this regard.
Blacks have always fought for the independence of the country. Their position is far from satisfactory. Thomas Wolf said, “…to every man, regardless of his birth, his shining, golden opportunity….The right to live, to work, to be himself and to become whatever thing his manhood and his vision can combine to make him.” (What is the American Dream?). A sarcastic laugh comes from my mouth. A recent newspaper report showed a black soldier being ill-treated by a white. When the U.S. Declaration of Independence declared, “…all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness”, did it mean that the ‘men’ are whites only? (What is the American Dream?). a sizable proportion of blacks took part in the civil war. In 1862, three Union Regiments of African Americans were raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. The contribution of the blacks to the civil war is worth mentioning. (Weidman). The question that comes up to my mind is whether the blacks get equal privileges as the whites. Racial prejudice and discrimination on account of color are the hallmarks of American society. No doubt blacks are not allowed to travel along with the whites. There are white-only restaurants. Far more shameful is the case of Cassius Clay, who later changed his name to Mohamed Ali and threw his gold-coated copper medal into the Ohio River as a mark of protest against not being awarded the gold medal when he emerged the boxing champion. These are minor instances. There are cases of blacks being tortured by whites on trivial issues.
War veterans, though promised huge returns and a comfortable life continue to languish under inhuman conditions incognito. Earlier war veterans were recognized for their efforts but now, they remain a neglected lot left to the mercy of government policies. They are not given respect due to them. Thousands of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are returning home only to become mentally unhealthy. The mental health injuries include Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, major depression, and traumatic brain injury. Those who seek help have to wait for five years. It is reported that 600 thousand unresolved benefits cases are pending. A nonprofit organization such as Swords to Plowshares in San Francisco tries to pick up the pieces of veterans’ broken lives, but they are not able to meet the overwhelming need. In 2005, the suicide rate for veterans 18 to 24 years old was three to four times higher than non-veterans. (Blecker). They do not receive enough public support and it is estimated that this condition could lead to epidemics of unemployment and underemployment, homelessness, and family breakdown.
America is the only country in the world that has a liberal economy and strongly believes in a powerful workforce based on equal rights and quality. The Americans preserve their natural heritage and their attitude to wildlife is exceptional. Far more significant is their contribution to medicine and scientific research. The deep desire to explore areas unexplored has made them emerge as the superpower. The US defense forces serve their country with utmost dedication. It’s a matter of pride that the work of the sincere is recognized and the treatment meted out to the soldiers and their families are exceptional. The soldiers have nothing to worry about back home. Their interest lies in their country. The selfless service rendered by the soldiers is suitably rewarded. America does remain the country that strongly believes in self-reliance and independence.
Works Cited
Blecker, Michael. On Memorial Day: Broken Promises to Our Veterans. SFGate. 2008. Web.
Magazine. The Hindu. 2004. Web.
Maki, Amy. Rape in the U.S. Military. Socialist Action. 2008. Web.
Weidman, Budge. Teaching with Documents: The Fight for Equal Rights: Black Soldiers in the Civil War. The National Archives. 1997. Web.
What is the American Dream? The Library of Congress. The Learning Page. 2002. 2008. Web.