Again, I felt the need to speak up in defense of “the American Dream”, which is oftentimes misinterpreted by so many. I ask you to kindly forgive my emotional and judgmental statement. However, please understand that I’m not lashing out at any particular individual who might have voiced his or her opinion on the topic. It is my way of articulating a humble thought with much trepidation hoping to pick the brains of my peers, among whom I trust there is a plethora of intellectual thinkers and subject matter experts.
To my dismay, the American Dream is perceived as a manifestation of being despicably materialistic or a fanfare of human greed. “It is moral degradation and regression of mankind”, declared the idealistic commentator with indignation.
“So what in the world is the American Dream?” I ask myself. Is it the shelter, which takes me years to pay off? Is it the gas guzzler that I commute with daily? Or is it the line of work I do for a livelihood?
At every sunrise as I lay awake looking up at the vastness of the sky that is blue and translucent with sunlight or thick and velvet-like with clouds, I feel intoxicated by the welcoming smell of freshness in the air. Bathing in the aroma of grass, leaves, and flowers, my thoughts roam free with the breeze over byways, wetland, and the winding creek. This is a land where the robin chirps “hello” to the squirrel and the scavenging vulture is the sole enemy of the wild doves. This is a land of abundance and one that I can proclaim to be my own. My ownership is written into the Constitution, for our founding fathers have etched in the Declaration of Independence that “all men are created equal”.
Because of this belief of equality, the few folks who want to apply for the job posting called the presidency have to be scrutinized, voted on, and approved by the citizens of the country. Government employees are in every sense of the word, public servants who must abide by the law and act in accordance to the wishes of the taxpayers. The government is truly one of the people, by the people, and for the people. I cherish the liberty wherein I speak my mind freely without reservation or fear of being gagged knowing that while some people might disagree with my argument, they will defend fiercely my right to say it. Opponents of conflicting opinions will shake hands – Be it heartfelt or pretended.
This is a land of opportunities where you can stumble into geniuses and great inventors like Steve Jobs because at an early age, our children are encouraged to keep their minds open and to paint their dreams with the colors of the wind. They are taught not to be ashamed of pursuing their heart’s desire for they have the freedom of choice to be all they want to be. Albeit no ticket of guarantee, you will make life better than the one you are living provided you keep trying. Your upward mobility is not to be decided by your look, color, gender, or anything else, but by your moral character, your ability, and capacity. This is a land of camaraderie where people are tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and the strong in the society… It is a realm of religious freedom whether you are a Christian, Muslim, or an atheist.
It takes many hands to ameliorate the American Dream… It is not meant to be a perfect one, yet is the best I have ever known or seen. Every day as I lay my head on the pillow in the warmth of my house, as I drive along the highway or the back road, as I work to make a better life for myself and for others, I am proud to say that this is my American Dream.