When it was first introduced into the vernacular, the American Dream meant the belief that one’s children could grow up in better circumstances than their own. Loosely defined, the American Dream is: a house to live in, a car to drive to work, higher education, and food on the table. Unfortunately there are many strings attached (to price tags), and today the American Dream costs more than the average American household income. What were once viewed as privileges and honors to be strived for are now seen as necessity for life in America.
We find ourselves today with a national ideal that is not accessible to all. The American Dream of the twenty first century involves owning your own home in which you can keep the artifacts of your life, commuting in a car (that needs to be insured) to work in order to afford the house and the bills associated.
But it doesn't have to be.
The American Dream
About Us
We are Sophia, Haley and Nate, three students currently studying sustainability and action at The Evergreen State College.
Sohana Webseries was created to explore some of the many ways Americans are coming together to live sustainably.
Check out our blog to follow our month on the road, interviewing and filming a variety of different people and communities. Now we ask you... "What is the American Dream?"
A New Version
There are small groups of people coming together to reclaim simpler methods and attitudes of living, shaping them to realities of the twenty first century. By virtue of their living agreements, these groups of people can take the first strides towards a new American frontier. People in these communities have more options for living harmoniously with each other and the world around them. They are rescuing the idea of life in America as an expression of individualism and are beginning to Re-Imagine the American Dream.
Soph
From: Hopewell, New Jersey
Studied Film at California State University Northridge
Studying Sustainability at The Evergreen State College
Favorite Color: Forest Green
Favorite Place: A wave in Baja, Mexico
Loves: making music, filming and boards of all kinds.
Nate
From: San Fransico, California
Studying Sustainability and Sociology
at The Evergreen State College
Favorite Color: Purple
Favorite Place: Halfway up the Half
Dome Cables
Loves: bikes bikes bikes!
Haley
From: Columbus, Ohio
AS in Graphic Design
Studying Sustainability and agriculture at
The Evergreen State College
Favorite Color: Rainbrow Brown
Favorite Place: in love.
Loves: hula hooping and walks in the woods
