Author: Bryant Simon
In
this article, Bryant Simon discusses the rise and fall of Atlantic City. He describes Atlantic City was the original
tourist destination long before Disneyland and was meant to appeal to middle
class Americans or people who wanted to enter the middle class. The original idea for the city was a
destination for whites founded on the ideals of both removing class lines while
reinforcing racial barriers. The problem
was that the city did not take into account what would happen after segregation
ended.
I
think that although the article describes what specifically happened to
Atlantic City, the premise behind the purpose of this destination was founded
on the ideal or myth of the American Dream.
Because this location what built to celebrate the success of or access
to the middle class, it represented a facet of the American Dream myth. By becoming somewhat successful, your social
status allowed you access to this destination which afforded you unique
experiences and products. I believe that
for a time, Atlantic City was iconic to our popular culture by catering to a
specific class of people who were interpreted to be living or on the verge of
accessing the American Dream.
I think this is an interesting article. Have you ever seen Boardwalk Empires? It's a cool gangster show on HBO that is about Atlantic City during prohibition. It's pretty unique to see what they went through to chase the American Dream. I feel that we all chase the American Dream in many different ways. I would like to hear your opinion on if you think this article is important. I feel it is because it is history.
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