--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The American Dream is individualistic…" description: "\"The American Dream is individualistic. Martin Luther King's dream was collective. The American Dream says, \"I can engage in upward mobility and live th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/efd/cornel-west-708_american-dream_the-american-dream-is-individualistic-ma_672709.jpg" --- # The American Dream is individualistic. Martin Luther… ![“The American Dream is individualistic. Martin Luther King's dream was collective. The American Dream says, "I can engage in upward mobility and live the good life." King's dream was fundamentally Christian. His commitment to radical love had everything to do with his commitment to Jesus of…” quote by Cornel West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/efd/cornel-west-708_american-dream_the-american-dream-is-individualistic-ma_672709.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/efd/cornel-west-708_american-dream_the-american-dream-is-individualistic-ma_672709.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/efd/cornel-west-708_american-dream_the-american-dream-is-individualistic-ma_672709.jpg) > “The American Dream is individualistic. Martin Luther King's dream was collective. The American Dream says, "I can engage in upward mobility and live the good life." King's dream was fundamentally Christian. His commitment to radical love had everything to do with his commitment to Jesus of Nazareth, and his dream had everything to do with community, with a "we" consciousness that included poor and working people around the world, not just black people.” [Cornel West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornel-west/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The American Dream emphasizes individual success, while King's vision stresses communal love and collective uplift rooted in Christian values. **In simple terms:** Dreams differ: self vs. community. Key Takeaway Prioritize community alongside personal goals. Themes social justice faith collectivism Americanism Mood thoughtful critical Type philosophical social‑political When to use this quote - policy advocacy - community organizing - faith‑based outreach - education reform Key Concepts Christian ethics radical love economic equity Questions to Reflect On - Can personal success coexist with communal care? - How does faith shape societal dreams? A Different Perspective Balancing individual ambition with collective responsibility can be conflicted. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [American dream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-dream/) [Around the world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/around-the-world/) [Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black/) [Black people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black-people/) [Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) [Collectives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/collectives/) [Commitment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commitment/) [Community](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/community/) [Consciousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consciousness/) [Dream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dream/) [Dream Fundamentally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dream-fundamentally-5337336/) [Dream Individualistic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dream-individualistic-5337335/) [Good life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-life/) [I can](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-can/) [Individualistic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individualistic/) [Jesus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jesus/) [Kings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kings/) [Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/luther/) [Luther King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/luther-king/) [Martin luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/martin-luther/) [Martin Luther King's](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/martin-luther-kings/) [Mobility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mobility/) [Nazareth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nazareth/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Poor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poor/) [Racism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/racism/) [Radical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/radical/) [Upward mobility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/upward-mobility/) [Working people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/working-people/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [Martin Luther King's legacy is never to be measured by bricks and mortar, but rather by the kind of lives that we live, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornel-west/martin-luther-king-s-legacy-is-never-to-be-measured-by-bricks-and/) [Cornel West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornel-west/) > [It is so inspiring to see a new group coming together not to focus on a particular war or weapons system, but on all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/medea-benjamin/it-is-so-inspiring-to-see-a-new-group-coming-together-not-to-focus-on/) [Medea Benjamin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/medea-benjamin/) > [“The Declaration of Independence, Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address, and Martin Luther King's 'Letter from the Birmingham Jail' all have their metaphysical roots in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-klusendorf/the-declaration-of-independence-abraham-lincoln-s-second-inaugural/) [Scott Klusendorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-klusendorf/) > [I believed in Obama for social issues. 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We're going to try and fulfill Dr. Martin Luther King's dream, and if we Mexican Americans march to Washington, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodolfo-gonzalez-lebrero/where-are-we-going-we-re-going-to-try-and-fulfill-dr-martin-luther/) [Rodolfo Gonzalez Lebrero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodolfo-gonzalez-lebrero/) > [If Congress can move President's Day, Columbus Day and, alas, Martin Luther King's Birthday celebration for the convenience of shoppers, shouldn't they at least…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-young/if-congress-can-move-president-s-day-columbus-day-and-alas-martin/) [Andrew Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-young/) > [“Time dims memory. But not that kind. Somewhere in a corner of the brain, one little cell never forgets. It keeps the song that,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-mills/time-dims-memory-but-not-that-kind-somewhere-in-a-corner-of-the-brain/) [Kay Mills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-mills/) > [Martin Luther King's 1963 'I have a dream' speech was a thrilling milestone in the civil rights movement, so enduring that we tend to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-j-williams/martin-luther-king-s-1963-i-have-a-dream-speech-was-a-thrilling/) [Patricia J. Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-j-williams/) > [Without my ministry, I would just be Martin Luther King's daughter. You know, when people call me that, it doesn't bother me anymore. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernice-king/without-my-ministry-i-would-just-be-martin-luther-king-s-daughter-you/) [Bernice King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernice-king/) > [We wouldn't be as far along as a country if we didn't take on some of Martin Luther King's ways that he instilled in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-king/we-wouldn-t-be-as-far-along-as-a-country-if-we-didn-t-take-on-some-of/) [Rodney King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-king/) > [Martin Luther King's 'I Have a Dream' speech always sends me down some path, some trajectory of some creative idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abigail-washburn/martin-luther-king-s-i-have-a-dream-speech-always-sends-me-down-some/) [Abigail Washburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abigail-washburn/) > [“In 1965, as Ralph Gleason has reported, when Martin Luther King's march on Selma, Alabama, was brutally attacked by local and state constabulary, Louis…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nat-hentoff/in-1965-as-ralph-gleason-has-reported-when-martin-luther-king-s-march/) [Nat Hentoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nat-hentoff/) > [When I heard Martin Luther King's speech, 'I Have a Dream,' I reflected on the fact that much of the success of that movement…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-evans/when-i-heard-martin-luther-king-s-speech-i-have-a-dream-i-reflected/) [Tony Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-evans/) ## More by Cornel West > [There has certainly been ugly, right-wing hatred targeting Barack Obama.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornel-west/there-has-certainly-been-ugly-right-wing-hatred-targeting-barack-obama/) [Cornel West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornel-west/) > [What is accurately portrayed is the rich humanity not just of Martin Luther King but of the movement, which was a multiracial movement. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornel-west/what-is-accurately-portrayed-is-the-rich-humanity-not-just-of-martin/) [Cornel West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornel-west/) > [I feel as if I have been blessed to undergo a transformation from 'gangster' to 'redeemed sinner with gangster proclivities.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornel-west/i-feel-as-if-i-have-been-blessed-to-undergo-a-transformation-from/) [Cornel West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornel-west/) > [“Like King, we need to put on our cemetery clothes and be coffin-ready for the next great democratic battle.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornel-west/like-king-we-need-to-put-on-our-cemetery-clothes-and-be-coffin-ready/) [Cornel West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornel-west/) > [ “You can't really move forward until you look back. \[From Remaking America panel discussion at George Washington University\]” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornel-west/you-can-t-really-move-forward-until-you-look-back-from-remaking/) [Cornel West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornel-west/) > [When we think of globalization we are thinking in part of structures and institutions that have been developed over time and that have allowed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornel-west/when-we-think-of-globalization-we-are-thinking-in-part-of-structures/) [Cornel West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornel-west/) > [The challenge artists face today is whether to be an underground, unheard genius, or to dilute their art for the marketplace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornel-west/the-challenge-artists-face-today-is-whether-to-be-an-underground/) [Cornel West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornel-west/) > [The need of black conservatives to gain the respect of their white peers deeply shapes certain elements of their conservatism. In this regard, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornel-west/the-need-of-black-conservatives-to-gain-the-respect-of-their-white/) [Cornel West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornel-west/) > [For me, musicians are poets. Beethoven describes himself as a poet of tones, just like Coltrane's a poet of tempo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornel-west/for-me-musicians-are-poets-beethoven-describes-himself-as-a-poet-of/) [Cornel West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornel-west/) > [I don't draw any distinctions between forms of bigotry or forms of ideology that lose sight of the humanity of people. I can't stand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornel-west/i-don-t-draw-any-distinctions-between-forms-of-bigotry-or-forms-of/) [Cornel West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornel-west/) > [Barack Obama has domesticated the left in such a way that we feel as if we have no alternative but him...I refuse to accept…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornel-west/barack-obama-has-domesticated-the-left-in-such-a-way-that-we-feel-as/) [Cornel West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornel-west/) > [Larry Summers, I think, he had a long history of arrogance and relative ignorance about poor people's culture and working people's culture and so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornel-west/larry-summers-i-think-he-had-a-long-history-of-arrogance-and-relative/) [Cornel West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornel-west/) > [The greatest gift you can give someone is the gift of inspiration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornel-west/the-greatest-gift-you-can-give-someone-is-the-gift-of-inspiration/) [Cornel West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornel-west/) > [You can see it in terms of the obsession on Wall Street with not just profits but greed, more profit, more profit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornel-west/you-can-see-it-in-terms-of-the-obsession-on-wall-street-with-not-just/) [Cornel West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornel-west/) > [Anybody who takes Martin Luther King seriously has got to go beyond the standard understanding of who he was, has to connect those dots.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornel-west/anybody-who-takes-martin-luther-king-seriously-has-got-to-go-beyond/) [Cornel West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornel-west/) [Explore all 400 Cornel West quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornel-west/) ## More American dream quotes > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [Are we a nation of guarantees or are we a nation of opportunities to achieve the American dream?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-mcdonnell/are-we-a-nation-of-guarantees-or-are-we-a-nation-of-opportunities-to/) [Bob McDonnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-mcdonnell/) > [I believe keeping our promises should be our highest priority and that means saving Social Security and Medicare while preserving the American dream for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-coburn/i-believe-keeping-our-promises-should-be-our-highest-priority-and/) [Tom Coburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-coburn/) > [Our families and our homes are the center of American life, Everything we do is to make those homes-and the lives in them-more beautiful,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-stewart/our-families-and-our-homes-are-the-center-of-american-life-everything/) [Martha Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-stewart/) > [I want people to know where I come from. 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It shouldnt be part of a financial nightmare for families](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-mikulski/college-is-part-of-the-american-dream-it-shouldnt-be-part-of-a/) [Barbara Mikulski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-mikulski/) > [“New Rule: Americans must realize what makes NFL football so great: socialism. That's right, the NFL takes money from the rich teams and gives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-maher/new-rule-americans-must-realize-what-makes-nfl-football-so-great/) [Bill Maher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-maher/) > [I believe it from the bottom of my heart, and your sons and daughters, too, can have the American dream come true.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-a-ribicoff/i-believe-it-from-the-bottom-of-my-heart-and-your-sons-and-daughters/) [Abraham A. 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