The American Dream(s)

By Al Horn

For many of us, the American dream represents owning our own home. I was talking to a few people the other day and they expressed a list of things that represent their ideal dream. One person had recently moved here from another country and felt there were several things more important at this point in his life.

Respect from his neighbors and coworkers was very high on his list. At first glance, it seemed that he was wishing for something rather simple. After all, if you own a good home or a good vehicle you are automatically accorded respect, right. If you listen to stories of this man or of his family that lives in this part of the country, you would realize that is not true. He spent several years saving every penny he made to buy a nice home in a good middle class subdivision. For most people this should have been enough.

He would meet some of his neighbors for the first time at the local park where his kids would be playing. Many people acted as if his ethnic background made little difference. It would be first sight of his old car and he could see that he had suddenly been demoted in their eyes. Others in the group tried to be encouraging by telling him to save up for a better car and his neighbor's attitudes would change. I'm sure they are right, but will that make him a better person than he is today? Why do Americans as a group insist that everyone must be at the same standard as they are in order to enjoy respect? Just because a person works with their hands instead of their mind are they unworthy of our respect?

Another person I talked to had spent several years away from this country. In some of the places he had lived it didn't matter what material possessions you had if you practiced the 'wrong' religion. He told me that being successful and going to a certain religious house merely made you a target for hate. This had opened his eyes as to how the same thing was going on in this country but on a smaller scale. Our diversity is in our favor. Even though racial tensions still exist in this country the influx of immigrants and refugees is beginning to create a shift in geopolitical thinking. This person told me he was more at home in this country. And where he was glad that he was not a target for persecution he realized that others are.

I have heard many cries for tolerance in this country. I will be the first to agree that we have a ways to go before reaching that goal. At the same time, we appear to score better than other places in the world. It would be nice if the people of the world could all learn to live together despite our differences. Some would consider that I have achieved the American Dream. Now I would like to pursue a World Dream.