21st Century American and Opportunity For the Dream

The 21st Century American is hard to define. There is a vast difference between different parts of the country in both culture and opportunity. The U.S. lacks a real sense of cultural identity. What does it really mean to be an American? It is hard to answer because this country was built on the diversity of some many. The history of this nation isn't rooted in any tradition above turkey on Thanksgiving. The typical American feels entitled, and is looking out for themselves above the greater good of all. I do believe that people are more globally aware of what is going on, but it is becoming harder to give and give like we have in the past. The economy sucks and the government is making itself harder to trust. The American of today finds it harder to make ends meet. It sucks for sure but, with unemployment above 10 percent, life is more of a struggle than it once was. Opportunity is available but it is harder to get. If only from a purely numbers perspective, the competition for jobs is greater. There are more jobs going overseas, more people are coming to the states, and the requirements for jobs is increasing. Opportunity itself is not even equal to all. I didn't always believe that or at least I didn't want to believe that but opportunity is not available in the same capacity to all. Anyone can do just about anything is they try, even to the point of death it might seem, but people can do what they want if they work at it. The difference is the starting point. Some people are at a disadvantage from the get go. If a kids growing up in poor Urban America, he will not have the same opportunity or will have to work harder to get them than a kids growing up in upper class white suburbia. The American dream can be had by anyone, but the work put forth to achieve it is not always the same.