I have always firmly believed in the American Dream. For as long as I can remember I have been told that the possibilities for my future are endless, that the sky is the limit, that I am destined to be a success. Concepts like race and class were never addressed, and if they had been mentioned, I would deny their power and suggest that motivation and determination could get anyone anywhere. However, I have left the past few discussions depressed and disillusioned by the stories of the Brothers and the Hallway Hangers. During the initial reading assignments, I remained hopeful, sure that the commitment of the Brothers to school and good behavior would eventually pay off. Yet, I have realized that this country is not as conducive to individual success as I had once believed. Not everyone can be a corporate businessman or a lawyer, or a doctor. I am distressed by the injustices so many Americans face now and in the future. Sadly, however, I am more distressed about my own prospects for success. I am beginning to wonder if I will actually become all that I aspire to be. Will my college education be enough to land a secure job? Will I have the right connections? Will my parents know the right people? All of the sudden I am faced with the possibility of impossibility. While I know that I am one of the "privileged," my desire to maintain that status has me anxious and unsure about my own future.
             My father has been sporadically employed for the past six years. He was the district manager of a financial advising company for several years, but he was forced to resign for medical reasons. Since his resignation, he has been unable to maintain a job for more than a few months. In the past year, he has unsuccessfully applied for seventy different jobs. He has a college education and over forty years of experience in various fields of work. He is intelligent, quick, and capable. So, why can't my father get a jo...