Dream On

The American Dream, the idea that any person who comes to the United States has an opportunity to succeed and prosper through hard work and perseverance, is effective bait that attracts immigrants from around the world to the “land of opportunity.” However, the American Dream does not always deliver the prosperity it seems to guarantee; people of color often make the displeased claim that the American Dream only applies to rich Caucasian families. Because of its controversial prevalence in American society, the American Dream is embedded into the information people see everyday, from social media to classical literature. The American Dream paints an idealistic image of the opportunities America provides for people of all backgrounds; however, its effects vary among different groups of people.

The "white" experience of the American Dream is well represented by Full House, a television sitcom about a middle-class white family in San Francisco that works hard and benefits from their efforts. This family deals more with everyday, personal struggles rather than dramatic, world-changing problems--a typical stereotype associated with the “white” experience of the American Dream. Full House embodies the positive ways in which the Dream affects the white American population: by allowing them to reap benefits from their own efforts.

Despite its image being glorified and idealized, the supposed equality and opportunity presented by the American Dream may not always apply to all Americans as exhibited in television comedy The Office. The sitcom follows the relatively uneventful lives of workers at a paper company in Pennsylvania. Many characters are looking for self-actualization and something different from their daily routine; however, most never find a way out of the office. The characters of The Office represent Americans who do not receive the same opportunities as those who partake in the American Dream and are stuck with no option but to fantasize about change and improvement. The Office portrays a reality of the American Dream that is often overlooked: not everyone takes part in the Dream, and it does not ensure change, happiness, and triumph for all.

Even though the American Dream promises all Americans equal opportunities for success, people’s experience with the Dream varies depending on what group--such as race or class--they belong to. The generalized, whitewashed idea of the American Dream being fresh-cut lawns and Fourth of July cookouts is prevalent. However, these ideas are only reality for a small percentage of Americans. The Dream affects people of different races, genders, and classes in complex ways; therefore, there should not be a standardized criteria for “achieving” the American Dream. The Dream is what Americans make of it, and whether or not one has “achieved” the Dream should depend on his or her own aspirations.

It's okay, Michael. Dream on!

Fear in Generations

Americans proved that the United States is a divided nation in the election of 2016. Donald Trump used the power of fear to strengthen his campaign to win the election, but using the influence of fear to command the public is not an unfamiliar to the US. These tactics are rooted in the backbone of America. Both John Winthrop in “A Model of Christian Charity,” spoken in 1660, and John Edwards in “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” spoken in 1741, used the wrath of God to persuade audiences to follow their convictions. Edwards and Winthrop eloquently professed their beliefs,  but Trump broadly spouted and tweeted his unrefined statements. Nevertheless, John Winthrop, John Edwards, and Donald Trump charismatically used the power of fear to convince their listeners to believe in their ideals.

John Winthrop, the governor of Plymouth Colony, persuaded the Puritans to ardently worship God by threatening them with God’s wrath. In 1620, his sermon, “A Model of Christian Charity,” warned the settlers about the consequences they would face if they betrayed the word of God. He believed that if the Puritans “sought great things for [themselves] and [their] posterity, the Lord will surely break out in wrath against [them]” (Winthrop p 20). Winthrop preached against selfishness and used the strength of God to keep the English in line. He declared that if the Puritans“hearts shall turn away…[they] shall surely perish out of the good land” (Winthrop p. 21). Winthrop used God’s power as a threat to persuade the Puritans to remain faithful to their Lord in order to thrive in the New World. He utilized fear to inspire people to follow God’s word. In contrast, John Edwards, another minister, used fiery portrayals of hell to discourage humans from sinning.

Edwards exploited the powers of fear to portray humans dependence on God. In 1741, his sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” manifested that sinners will face a fearful judgement day in front of God. He asked the people “consider the fearful danger you are in it is a great furnace of wrath, a wide and bottomless pit…. you are held over in the hand of God” (Edwards p. 62). Edwards’ metaphors emphasized the power that God holds over the human soul. Unlike Winthrop, Edwards graphically depicts the power of God to generate fear. Edwards believed that “your wickedness makes you as it were heavy as lead and tend downwards… towards hell” and that “if God should let you go, you would immediately sink and swiftly descend and plunge into the bottomless gulf” (Edwards p. 60). Edwards brutally describes the consequences of sinning to strike fear in the hearts of sinners. Similar to Edwards, Donald Trump used radical statements to strike fear into the minds of Americans.

Donald Trump utilized fear to rally his angry supporters and to generate fear within vulnerable Americans. His slogan, “Make America Great Again,” implied that America was in a dire place and needed to be rescued. In proclaiming “I alone can fix it,” The Donald alluded to one of the most feared and hated leaders of all time: Adolf Hitler. He called for a “total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States,” which tapped into Americans’ fears of terrorism, leading to Islamophobia. Trump’s inflammatory tweets caused white Americans to fear for their safety, and vote for him. He additionally created fear in Americans when he claimed that Mexicans, who were “rapists and drug dealers” were stealing American jobs. He promise to build a wall to prevent Mexicans from entering the country appealed to many American’s fears. Furthermore, The Donald generated fear in women by disrespecting them when he described them as fat, ugly, and pigs. Trump’s infamous comments about women, “It's like a magnet. Just kiss. I don't even wait. And when you're a star they let you do it . You can do anything. ... Grab them by the pussy,” condoned misogyny by objectifying and bragging about his physical dominance over them. Boasting about committing sexual assault immediately created an unsafe culture throughout America.

The use of fear by Winthrop, Edwards, and Trump demonstrates the power that fear maintains when ingrained in human minds. All three men used fear to achieve a purpose. Unlike Winthrop and Edwards, who utilized the fear of God to convince their followers to be virtuous, Trump used fear to generate conflict between Americans, in what was the most acrimonious political campaign in modern American history. Fear can generate hate, but humans must believe that love will always trump hate.

Mad Emotional Appeal

As candidates of the 2016  presidential election made claims to prioritize the black minority in hopes of courting the black vote, I came upon singer and song-writer Solange Knowles’s visual album, A Seat at the Table, which she described as “a project on identity, empowerment, independence, grief and healing.” Her song “Mad” delves into the oppression of blacks, particularly females, expressing anger. “I ran into this girl, she said, ‘Why you always blaming?’ ‘Why can’t just face it’ ‘Why you always gotta be so mad?’ I got a lot to be mad about” (Knowles). Speaking in conversational first person, Solange made me feel trusted. It was as if she was reaching out to me -- as one of her good friends-- for support, and I felt a sense of dominance and responsibility. With a sudden assertion of power, I checked myself over to ensure that I did not make the mistake of oppressing black anger. Her outro, an emotionally conclusive entreaty, targeted my empathy. “ I ran into this girl, I said, ‘I’m tired of explaining.’ Man, this shit is draining. But I’m not really allowed to be mad” (Knowles). An important component that strengthens her fight on this issue is her use of an airy head voice to assume a vulnerable tone. There’s a bouncy slow rhythm that’s hypnotizing and nostalgic, like the rocking of a baby in a mother's lap. There is no anger or aggression in her voice, simply exhaustion and grief. I felt sympathy for this exposure of feelings. Her poetic tactics succeed at making me emotionally stirred and persuaded to defend African Americans’ right to be angry; Knowles thereby gracefully molded me into a partisan of social change.

The Gem of Animation

Undeniably, this year’s presidential election has been an emotionally tumultuous experience for many, regardless of belief. It carved fissures within our community and the United States as a whole. Those bent on pushing their agenda often did so at the expense of another’s feelings, resulting in a climate of misunderstanding. During this sensitive time, it is crucial for us to remember that we are bound by our humanity, not divided by our ideologies.

No animation proves this better than Steven Universe. Directed by Rebecca Sugar, Steven Universe chronicles the exploits of its titular character and the Crystal Gems, a band of three humanoid aliens called Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl, who belong to the Gem race. The show is a medley of mahou shoujo, slice of life, and science fiction. Fans of all ages herald Steven Universe for its sophisticated plot and multifaceted characters. This show tells a compelling story about the human experience and testifies to the triumph of love over hatred.

For all its beautiful background art, witty dialogue, and catchy sing-alongs, what makes Steven Universe a near-perfect animation is, ironically, its emphasis on imperfection. Weaknesses are real forces acting on the show’s characters. Character development occurs almost exclusively over multiple episodes rather than in just one alone. In fact, Pearl’s unrequited love for Steven’s mother, Rose Quartz, torments her for a full three seasons. Pearl sure was salty when she learned of Greg Universe and Rose Quartz’s marriage. Having been forced to watch Steven grow up in his father’s image, she remains salty for a decade afterwards and feels especially provoked in Greg’s presence. Nonetheless, she tries her best to act politely. 

Before:

After:

And screw it she does. Her distress culminates in “Mr. Universe,” wherein she delivers a soliloquy about her emotions. An argument ensues after Greg overhears her, but of course it all ends happily ever after. Pearl’s willingness to forgive and Greg’s empathy towards her help the two reconcile. We can only begin the healing process if we listen with sincerity—  or, in more colloquial terms, “Are we not interested in each other?” (Alexander 17) But this moment of peace only carries meaning because of the struggle that led up to it. The journey matters more than the destination. (To you literary junkies, that was an Odyssey reference). As Steven remarks, “If every pork chop was perfect, we wouldn’t have hotdogs!” (Steven Universe, “Laser Light Canon”) Indeed, if Pearl were not the endearingly flawed character Rebecca Sugar intended her to be, the audience would have lost her soulful narrative. 

In the world of Steven Universe, every person is represented. The show embraces diversity, giving marginalized individuals a chance in the spotlight. For one, Steven Universe does not shy away from non-traditional romance. In fact, Pearl is not the only lesbian character in the show. Garnet, a fusion of two gems, is the manifestation of Ruby and Sapphire’s love. Kudos to Steven Universe for its humanizing portrayal of homosexuality. Being the revolutionary show that it is, Steven Universe continues to continues to redefine our preconceived image of children’s animation. Allegory enables the show to explore sensitive and complicated issues, such as consent. While Ruby and Sapphire consensually fuse to become Garnet, Jasper, on the other hand, coerces Lapis Lazuli into fusion. It’s no coincidence that a fusion’s appearance correlates with the relationship it is built on. Jasper fuses with Lapis Lazuli out of greed, so their fusion produces Malachite, whose monstrosity mirrors their abusive relationship. Steven Universe may be a light-hearted show, but its eloquence can also effect change. Innovative ideas, coupled with a powerful execution, make Steven Universe a tribute to social justice. 

Above all, Steven Universe celebrates humans, not archetypes. Mass media resorts to the “knight in shining armor” and the “damsel in distress” to craft a story, but Steven Universe is devoid of these artificial constructions. For y'all heathens, here is Rebecca Sugar's gender theory in a nutshell:

Or if you didn't read the whole thing, it's basically "For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you" (Whitman Canto 1). Connie and Steven embody this spirit in “Sworn to the Sword.” In the beginning of the episode, Pearl teaches Connie how to wield the sword so she could protect Steven, as Pearl once protected Rose Quartz. As Connie’s training progresses, Steven worries that Pearl’s herculean tasks will jeopardize his friend. Steven intervenes in Connie’s next training session, drawing his shield to protect Connie from a holo-Pearl. Steven and Connie team up to fight Pearl, despite Pearl’s insistence that Connie should fight alone. When the two triumph, Pearl, teary-eyed and proud, congratulates them. Steven Universe champions the equality of all humans-- girls, boys, victors, and losers. The show does not invert the “knight in shining armor” and “damsel in distress” tropes to assert that women are as capable as men. Instead, it portrays a symbiotic relationship between the two sexes. Even though Steven Universe takes place in a fantasy world, it grounds itself in humanity.

Steven Universe showcases the best of what its medium has to offer, proving that animation can both entertain and enlighten. No wonder it spans four seasons and continues to grow. Steven Universe can remedy the wounds of a world divided and its ability to connect with the audience on a personal level make it a treasure in the pantheon of animation.