Poverty has consistently impacted Americans, limiting opportunities and altering perspectives. Unlike the average person, those affected face numerous challenges and must fight for things that most people never encounter. Consequently, they view a life of crime as their ultimate American Dream. It is important to recognize that these individuals are not inherently immoral; instead, they see becoming a convict as a means to achieve all their long-held aspirations.
This drove the perpetrators to pursue their aspirations, fulfill their ambitions, and ultimately grow fixated on their desires. Throughout various time periods, societal divisions have consistently existed in America. The understanding of the American Dream varies among individuals as a result of their unique upbringing. The life encounters of an individual from a more privileged social class will unquestionably diverge significantly from those of an individual from a less advantaged social class, resulting in contrasting perspectives on life.
Lower-class individuals, commonly referred to as the “projects” in present-day vernacular, frequently hail from impoverished backgrounds. The circumstances of their upbringing render life considerably more arduous for these individuals, resulting in a higher prevalence of criminal activity within these communities. Limited access to opportunities and scant assistance exacerbate the difficulties they encounter.
Individuals who had to work hard for their accomplishments did not receive any advantages. Their experiences motivated them to strive for success with greater determination than others, as they had no alternative means of achieving it. This mindset is akin to that of a criminal, who similarly believes that nothing should impede their success and that they must do whatever is necessary to fulfill their aspirations.
Once the motivation was present, the only direction to go was forward. Many offenders have different approaches when it comes to achieving their goals. For a majority of criminals, their choice of pursuit usually revolves around trafficking drugs or alcohol. This pattern started in the 1920s during alcohol prohibition. It was during this time that numerous people realized the potential for achieving their dreams through illegal sales and distribution of alcoholic beverages. These individuals, known as bootleggers, accumulated significant wealth until prohibition ended in 1933.
Furthermore, bootlegging played a major role in the rise of organized crime in America. The Italian bootleggers and gangsters in New York City area formed the initial influential mafia gang, which worked together as a monopoly to pursue their ambitions. Over time, witnessing the mafia’s success, other criminals recognized their own potential for attaining their goals through different means, such as fraud.
In the late ass’s and ass’s, many stock brokers took advantage of their clients for personal gain, earning large commissions without considering the success of their clients’ investments. Although criminals may have different methods, they all understand that what they are doing is morally incorrect. However, they view it as worthwhile when their aspirations come true. Unfortunately, the repercussions of a criminal lifestyle eventually catch up with them.
When they were young, they had a natural inclination for accomplishing remarkable goals in life that ordinary people couldn’t achieve. However, possessing the wisdom to stop their actions at the right time was a virtue that many criminals lacked. Once they created a prosperous franchise or gang, they became captivated by the feelings it brought them. These individuals became completely dependent on the wealth, power, and admiration that came with their illegal activities. This dependency originated from the intense excitement they felt, which was completely foreign to most of them throughout their lives.
Once they have it, it becomes a death trap with no way out. This addictive sensation is a powerful symbol, representing how easily one can become consumed by their own dreams. This applies to everyone who relentlessly pursues their ultimate life goals, often losing sight of what they are sacrificing in the process. Many people aspire to be wealthy and live a life of luxury, but tragically, money can become the sole obsession.
Criminals often lose sight of their true identity as they become more single-minded. Over time, many criminals develop the belief that their criminal behavior is ingrained in their nature, as if it were part of their inherent being. Regrettably, they usually come to this realization too late and realize that they had the potential to excel in any field. The criminal mindset cannot be taught but is something that individuals possess for reasons unknown. What makes them remarkable is their unwavering motivation and determination to never give up. They refuse to let anything obstruct their pursuit of their goals.
The scary aspect is that their immense motivation is also their downfall. Their unwavering determination to pursue their dream without accepting failure can blind them. Ultimately, everyone, including criminals, must confront a significant decision in their life. They must choose if the actions necessary to achieve their dream will be worthwhile in the long run. It isn’t about present emotions but rather anticipating future feelings when reflecting back.
