The American Dream is a national

ethos of the United States, a set of ideals

in which freedom includes the

opportunity for prosperity and success,

and an upward social mobility achieved

through hard work.

In the definition of the American Dream by James

Truslow Adams in 1931, "life should be better and

richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for

each according to ability or achievement" regardless

of social class or circumstances of birth.

The idea of the American Dream is rooted in the

United States Declaration of Independence which

proclaims that "all men are created equal" and that

they are "endowed by their Creator with certain

inalienable Rights" including "Life, Liberty and the

pursuit of Happiness."

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up, live up to the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal.”    I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave-owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.    I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.    I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color if their skin but by the content of their character.    I have a dream today.    I have a dream that one day down in Alabama with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification, one day right down in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.    I have a dream today.    I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.

"I Have a Dream" is a public speech by American activist Martin Luther King. It was delivered by King on August 28, 1963, in which he called for an end to racism in the United States. Delivered to over 250,000 civil rights supporters from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, the speech was a defining moment of the American Civil Rights Movement.

Traditional Value

Modern Value

Postmodern Value

The time frame of traditional value is up to

1700s. Priests are the most influential people for

those who hold this belief . They believe that

human being is God’s creation. So they are

inclined to preserve the past and obey The

authorities. Generally speaking, traditional value

is more conservative and hierarchical.

Modern value started from 1875 and now is

very common in American. They believe in

science and treat scientists as the most

influential people. Comparing to traditional

value, they think that human beings are just

random chance beings, instead of being created

by God. So they want to improve the past by

their own thinking.

Post modern value begins in 1960. It is also

called Pop culture, because some rock stars lead

the fashion and influence people quite a lot. For

these people, they are inclined to ignore the past

and they don’t count on authority for obtaining

knowledge. They treat themselves as their own

authorities, so they do not need to obey other’s

orders.

FreedomEquality. Democracy. Champion of the little guy. Helper of the oppressed. Defender against tyranny. Capitalism. Independence. Strength. Rightness and righteousness. Manifest destiny. God. Freedom of religion. Family. Wealth. Faith. Entertainment and happiness.

Equality is the basic belief in American values, just as the

Declaration of Independence said, “ All men are created

equally that they are endowed by their creator with certain

inalienable rights. So in their eyes all people are equal and

have their own values, and no one is born superior to anyone

else. Once a baby is born, he begins to have value. God

creates him, so he is unique in this world.

Liberty, is also the basic point in the Declaration of

Independence and American history.

Since Christopher Columbus discovered the new land

in 1492, American people have been suffering a lot from

colonial rule for nearly 300 years, however they never

stopped their struggle for liberty during this period of

time. America gained independence from colonial rule.

For most people, independence and individualism are the first two words that come into their minds when they talk about Americans. The one values that nearly every American would agree upon is individual freedom. The concept of individualism also affects the type of government so much that individual rights are also guaranteed in the United States Constitution.

The Immigratio

n of Puritans

The Declaration

of Independence

In 17th century, a Group of people thought that the Church of England was too Catholic and they wanted to purify the Church. However their beliefs were heretical to the Church of England, so they had to leave there because they were Religiously persecuted. In 1620, one hundred and two People reached North America and began new life there.

The Immigration The Immigration of of

PuritansPuritans

The Declaration of Independence was mainly drafted by Thomas Jefferson and adopted by the Congress on July 4, 1776, when the people of 13 English colonies in North America were fighting for their freedom and independence from the British colonial rule. The document declares that all men were equal and that they were entitled to have some unalienable rights such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

The Declaration The Declaration of Independenceof Independence

Ritual Benevolence Justice

In traditional Chinese

culture, the value of "ritual"

requires people to behave in a

civilized manner. How to enjoy

a meal is considered a personal

freedom, but each country has

its own table manners.

Likewise, people have the right

to choose what to wear, but they

cannot walk naked in the street.

Benevolence is also a value emphasized in equal opportunities for the stronChinese culture. In my view, "fairness" should be emphasized over the value of "equality" touted in Western nations. The concept of equality is that society should provide g and the weak, instead of protecting the weak. In contrast, fairness includes the concept of protecting the more vulnerable group. For instance, equality gives priority seating to people who get on the bus first, but fairness requires stronger people to give the seats to people who are weak.

Finally, righteousness, or justice, is an important value in traditional Chinese culture. Democracy can protect an individual's political rights, but cannot ensure that people use their power to do the right thing. What democracy ensures is the legality of resolutions, instead of justice for people.

In Chinese culture, the legality and morality of procedure as well as the result are both important.