It is clear this is done to portray the extreme stereotype of the African American man living in America. The first line of the song, “there’s a black man with a black cat livin’ in a black neighborhood,” emphasizes the repetition of the word black. Not everyone will be able to get their own “pink house.” Ain’t that America somethin’ to see baby.Little pink houses for you and me.” It is evident that although America may seem like the ideal place to build a prosperous life, it does not always yield success and happiness. He uses irony to exemplify how imperfect America truly is, singing “ Oh but ain’t that America for you and me. Mellencamp stresses the fact that although America seems like the perfect building block for the ideal life, it is not that simple. The chorus of the song shows that the American Dream isn’t what it is made up to be. Mellencamp addresses the fact that in the American Dream, people are free to live as they choose and that life seems to be portrayed as somewhat picture perfect. Pink houses represent the deceiving facade of all American Dreams as well as the identical ideals of picket fences, a family to come home to, a steady job, and ultimately success. The lyrics of this song stand to depict the stereotypical American Dream. Songwriter John Mellencamp sheds light on the austere reality of the American Dream in his song “Pink Houses.” At the time that Crevecoeur wrote What is An American, America was only just developing and therefore hadn’t experienced the harsh realities that can drive people off their path of obtaining the American Dream. There has been a surplus of diverse challenges that obstruct us from obtaining our own personal standards of success as the generations have seemed to only become more complex. ![]() Crevecoeur portrays the Dream as something easily attainable for all citizens of the land but as time has progressed, the Dream seems to be slipping further out of reach. While you’re here, can I fix you something to eat? You won’t leave my house hungry, or without a hug.In the three centuries since Crevecoeur’s What is An American, it is obvious that the American Dream has undergone a significant transformation evident in today’s modern world. The little house with laughter, freedom, loud family and a damn good dinner shared with those I love. The little house to be raised in and to one day raise my family in. If anything, it takes me back to that 8 year old little girl wanting the normalcy of an American life. So, this brings me to the name “Little Pink Houses.” I think it sums up a lot about me. They always say the way to a persons heart is through their stomach. Along with her recipes, my recipes, my moms recipes. I hope to blog stories of my grandmothers tales here, too. I guess the Apple doesn’t fall far from the generational tree. She can make anyone feel better with her food. Generations old pie crust recipe with home grown blackberries! I’ve never had food like my grandmas. Fried chicken, sliced tomatoes from my granddads garden and blackberry cobbler. Suns up!! Let’s eat! I’m sad! Let’s eat!! We’re celebrating!! Let’s eat! Nothing brings me more comfort than eating my grandmas food. (That’s another blog post…) I eat my emotions. The only place I have ever called home before marrying my husband. Or I was just moved by music at 3 years old?Īlso during that time, my emotions go back to my grandparents house. Dates seemed to be skewed when googling it. I was 3 when that song was released, but I felt older when watching the video. I remember watching the music video to this song on MTV when it was released. I could tell a story about my life through music. My mom played the shit out of albums, tapes, radio. No consistent place to call home other than my grandparents house. ![]() An 8 year old little girl watching her parents marriage falling apart. When thinking of a name for my blog, I dig deep to an emotional time in my life. Ain’t that America, we’re somethin’ to see, baby.
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