This picture represents despair in the United States because of the fast food industry. Unhealthy food is now much cheaper than healthy food such as vegetables and fruits. Food production companies such as McDonalds are making billions of dollars by selling foods that could potentially make us sick or even kill us in the long run. People are not being cautious about what they put into their bodies, which makes them develop health issues. The worst part is that it is affecting children who will have to bare the consequences throughout their whole lives. These health problems require very expensive medical care. This results in people not being able to afford better foods. This then becomes a continuing cycle feeding into our rising obesity rates. This pulls away from the American Dream because it signifies failure to remain healthy, which therefore will affect a person’s happiness in the long run.
This picture represents hope because it demonstrates a part of the American Dream. For students, finally graduating is a huge step into becoming their own independent individuals. This makes us hopeful that our education will help us be able to find a job in the real world. This then makes us think about our future in a positive light because we know we should be able to have a stable income and comfortably support a family, which is the basics of the American Dream.
Your despair image is very strong because I do not think most people would see health as part of the American Dream and that made me think about the dream differently. I believe that the fast food industry can also relate to poverty because in a impoverished area there tend to be more fast food restaurants and that is all people are exposed too so having the health care problems and not being able to afford better foods we can see that more in those neighborhoods which like you said pulls away from one's happiness.
ReplyDeleteI agree with both of Pauline's representations of hope and despair. The first image signifies the health issues affecting America's youth: the hope for our country. The younger generations will eventually lead our country, however, with the proiminance of obesity and the related health concerns, their future is looking dim. The fact that unhealthy food is more affordable than healthy food is almost criminal, and it truly shows where the interests of our nation lie.
ReplyDeleteThe next picture showing graduating students gives light to the freedom we have to receive an education. Costs aside, America does offer education to all, a privilege that can't be found in all countries. Education empowers individuals and is essential for our nation's progress. Knowledge stimulates individualism, and the questioning of practices we would ordinarily obey without a second thought. If we truly want to see change, it is crucial to shape individuals through education.