Revolutionary Vibes of 1968 and the American Dream
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18485/bells.2019.11.8Keywords:
American Dream, counterculture, 1968 protests, genres, Cyberspace, global viewAbstract
One of the key questions to be discussed in the context of the 1968 protests is that of the American Dream. It has been woven into the fabric of everyday life, playing a vital role in who Americans are, what they do, and why they do it. It has always had the strongest influence on American individual and collective life. The focus of this paper will be to what extent it really exists and to what extent it is a product of the American imagination. How far has its imaginative territory reached? How much has the changing face of the Dream informed politics, everyday life and even the nation’s identity itself? How have Americans created themselves through an idea that no one can completely define but everyone wants a piece of?
The notion of the American Dream can be traced back to the Depression and WWI when it ironically also faced its biggest threats. Here, the focus will be on the counterculture years of the late 1960s and 1970s, when it was put to the greatest test since this idiom was coined. Finally, the Dream will be followed from the year 2000 up to today, showing that it is as powerful and relevant as ever. It seems that the Dream will not only continue to be a compelling part of the American landscape, but is also taking a global form. It will most probably serve as a central guiding force for both Americans and others across the globe in the years to come.
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