"American As American Pie" by Mark S. Zimmerman

Archival Inkjet Print

30" x 20"

The American Dream can no longer be defined as it once was: “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Some may describe the dream of America today as a nightmare or an obstacle course where the goal post is always moving. The Founding Fathers had a plan and that plan has evolved over decades and decades with a country that has evolved alongside a world that is constantly changing. Owning a house is not as attainable as it once was. What defines a dream job? It is rarely the job itself that represents success, it is the paycheck that comes along with it. And many would dream of simply receiving a consistent paycheck. Living paycheck to paycheck was once considered a dreadful situation, but now it is the American Dream for so many. A country built upon the dream of immigrants. To live free. To pursue happiness. To start a family and raise children. The “perfect family,” 2.5 children and the white picket fence, is now just a playing field for “stand your ground” and the killing of innocent people. There are way too many of us just hoping to survive the day, to get home safely to a place where we can comfortably sit down and rest, then to put food on the table and simply be with the people that matter the most to us.