My insight into the "California Dream" previously had been limited to the opinions of those who had successfully found their dreams within the cities and suburbs of California. I still believe that the California Dream comes to those who have realistic views of what the "California Dream" means and are willing to work for it, or it comes to those who are extremely lucky. Although I had listened to various songs and had read many books and articles on the misery that follow the lost expectations of the California Dream, I hadn't connected how prevalent this idea of the "California Dream" after the start of migrations into California till even in the present.
Gladys Knight's song "Midnight Train to Georgia" revealed to me the expectations that most have when going into Los Angeles and the feelings that occur after realizing that they cannot handle the challenges California poses. Her song pointed out to me the reasoning behind most peoples' decisions in leaving family and traditions to come to a foreign place that may not even grant a person what they hoped for. Before this song, I hadn't asked myself: What does a person do if they don't find their "California Dream"? Those I had talked to about the "California Dream" still found hope within it even if not all of their expectations were met, so it wasn't until analytically evaluating this song that I came across the idea of a person being fully dissatisfied with what California had to offer. I feel like the purpose of this song is not only to refute the "California Dream", but also to point out a problem prevalent and relatable to most who arrive in California with expectations of wealth and fame.
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