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A review by beverleefernandez
It Was All a Dream: A New Generation Confronts the Broken Promise to Black America by Reniqua Allen
5.0
What does the American Dream mean in 2019? Is it a universal dream for all people or does it depend on race/ethnicity, gender, and/or sexuality? Should this dream be modified if it doesn't work in the manner one expects? These are just a few of the questions I had after reading the first chapter of It Was All a Dream. There are no easy answers-the American Dream is thought to be a symbol of success, of "making it" in a world where you're expected to fail. How does the dream manifest itself? This is where one can argue that the dream has been fulfilled if one has the material goods to promote a vision of wealth. In addition to wealth (real or imaginary), there is a social representation to add-the dream includes marriage & children. The children are to be educated at the best elementary and secondary schools, moving on to attend the nation's most prestigious colleges and universities, culminating with landing a coveted position with potential for growth and acclaim. However, this is not the reality for a large number of African Americans. Reniqua Allen challenges the reader to think about how the American Dream or lack thereof has impacted their life. What does it mean to not have access to the resources that make the dream a reality? Who is to blame when one's reality doesn't mirror the dream? Should this even be a cause for concern?
I really, really admire Ms. Allen's writing and research. This is not an easy topic to tackle and it takes a lack of ego to admit their outer appearance is not all good, especially in the age of social media. This book evaluates multiple perspectives from romantic relationships, politics, education/college debt, drug addiction, sex work, and professional career/workplace. The points of view presented are varied between traditional middle class, poor working class, and blue collar. However, their concerns are fairly universal. What really stands out to me is that Allen does not interject her opinion in the text. She lets the research speak for itself loud and clear. The multitude of voices led me to conclude that the American Dream is outdated and not the vision I want for me. That doesn't mean that I or anyone else who isn't in search of a supposed dream is unworthy. It means that we, like previous generations, are fighting to live on our terms rather than under a gaze of inferiority.
One thing I didn't really think about reading-how BLM (Black Lives Matter) has faded from the national news to a large degree. An answer is given.
Quotes to think about-admittedly hard to choose, but I'll share three. "Women were fierce, independent, hard-working, and feminist(without having to announce it, display it or safety pin it). They made clear all too often that marriage and "happily ever after " was for White girls" (245).
"Maybe our mobility shouldn't always be measured like our White millenial peers. Maybe it's measured in joy and pleasure. If this country was never meant for us anyway, maybe we have to look beyond" (314).
Speaking about the Black middle class-"These are the folks who "make it." Who often find economic and political "success" in the White world, get so-called approval from larger society, but also suffer from unequal economic, social, and housing conditions. They are found in newsrooms, classrooms, and boardrooms, even the White House, yet they remain as misunderstood as ever" (178-179).
I really, really admire Ms. Allen's writing and research. This is not an easy topic to tackle and it takes a lack of ego to admit their outer appearance is not all good, especially in the age of social media. This book evaluates multiple perspectives from romantic relationships, politics, education/college debt, drug addiction, sex work, and professional career/workplace. The points of view presented are varied between traditional middle class, poor working class, and blue collar. However, their concerns are fairly universal. What really stands out to me is that Allen does not interject her opinion in the text. She lets the research speak for itself loud and clear. The multitude of voices led me to conclude that the American Dream is outdated and not the vision I want for me. That doesn't mean that I or anyone else who isn't in search of a supposed dream is unworthy. It means that we, like previous generations, are fighting to live on our terms rather than under a gaze of inferiority.
One thing I didn't really think about reading-how BLM (Black Lives Matter) has faded from the national news to a large degree. An answer is given.
Quotes to think about-admittedly hard to choose, but I'll share three. "Women were fierce, independent, hard-working, and feminist(without having to announce it, display it or safety pin it). They made clear all too often that marriage and "happily ever after " was for White girls" (245).
"Maybe our mobility shouldn't always be measured like our White millenial peers. Maybe it's measured in joy and pleasure. If this country was never meant for us anyway, maybe we have to look beyond" (314).
Speaking about the Black middle class-"These are the folks who "make it." Who often find economic and political "success" in the White world, get so-called approval from larger society, but also suffer from unequal economic, social, and housing conditions. They are found in newsrooms, classrooms, and boardrooms, even the White House, yet they remain as misunderstood as ever" (178-179).