The painting:
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| "One Nation Under God" |
McNaughton identifies the people behind Jesus as great American people who have dedicated their lives one way or another to our country. The people in the bottom left of the painting are "looking toward the lord" and the people in the bottom right "are all turning away" (McNaughton's website). Among the people depicted as following God, there is a child with a disability, a preacher, a schoolteacher, a farmer. Among the people who are facing away there is a lawyer, a liberal news reporter, a man who has made a living in Hollywood, Satan.
The message of this painting is clear to me. Those who are following Jesus are living the ideal American Dream and the ones who are painted as not following Jesus don't have a white picket fence. But isn't this painting a bit outdated? As America has evolved, so has it's proverbial dream. The doctor on the left worked hard for his job. He went to college and made his way to the top, as did the Supreme Court Judge on the right. The judge probably had to start in a District Court before he even began to think about the Supreme Court. Then think about the occupations that have been tagged as something a Satan-follower would do. The news reporter is most likely very passionate about her job. This painting is saying that she had a choice: either do what she loves and follow Satan, or do something she hates and follow Jesus. That's not fair- she loses no matter what she picks!
The understanding now is that if an American has worked exceptionally hard, they have achieved the American Dream. Where is God in that definition? America is no longer solely a Christian nation. Judaism is present, Islam is growing, there are Atheists, Bahai, etc. To be an American means to be free (the soldiers) and to be just (Supreme Court building), to name a few stories from today's class discussion. America has labeled itself as a "nation under God." That doesn't acknowledge the other religions that America claims are free to worship as they please, which doesn't seem just.
I guess what I'm really trying to figure out is when did being "one nation under God" stop being such an essential part of living the American Dream? Or is it still a part of the American Dream, just in a unique way to each person?
I agree that America has progressed beyond the stereotypical “white picket fence” American dream. Overtime, I believe American society increasingly has become a much more accepting nation on multiple levels. The line, “one nation under gad” only emphasizes how outdated the pledge of allegiance has become. The post made me think back to this morning and how when our advisory began to recite the pledge of allegiance less than half of the class raised from their seats. Overall, time has caused the typical American Dream to be stripped of its white paint and that golden retriever? Been replaced by a Cockapoo. As America moves forward, I think it will be important to not destroy such traditions, but begin to restore—allowing the backbone to remain intact.
ReplyDeleteSo in response to your question: “is ‘One nation under god’ still a part of the American Dream, just in a unique way to each person?” I think it is still apart of the American dream, but I believe time has called for a revision so that the words will resonate with each person’s unique American Dream—a dream that is no longer restricted by a white picket fence.
I totally agree. America has evolved into something much different than it was in the 50's and so has the so-called American Dream. I think your idea that the traditions should not be destroyed, or maybe renovated, but restored is interesting. In your response to my question, are you saying that the restoration of traditions includes a revision?
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