According to the Library of Congress’ website, James Truslow Adams first used the term, “American Dream” in his book The Epic of America (1931). It is a rather long definition, so I’ll break it down over the next couple of weeks. The first part is "The American Dream is ‘that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement.’”
A richer and fuller life for everyone: isn’t that part of the reason why people from England, France and Spain came to America as some of its first settlers? They dreamed of a land of plenty. They came to be free of religious persecution. They came because they dreamed and in doing so, made it possible for others.
A richer and fuller life for everyone: isn’t that why the Declaration of Independence was signed? The men who signed the document had a dream, too. They wanted a country where “all men are created equal.” Their dream included the “pursuit of happiness.” The newly formed United States opened the door to a wealth of opportunities. Imagine the look of wonder the first time settlers had when they reached the Pacific Ocean. Think about the business and industry that has been started in the United States. Imagine what Earth looks like from space. Someone opened the door of opportunity for others to succeed.
A richer and fuller life for everyone: isn’t that why Susan B. Anthony and other suffragists fought so hard to give women the right to vote? In the 2004 election, the Census Bureau determined that 65% of women voted (only 62% of men did). The work of the suffragists gave women the opportunity to have their voice heard, their vote counted. Our country has countless numbers of women in elected positions, from the local PTA to mayor to governor to Congress.
A richer and fuller life for everyone: isn’t that why Jackie Robinson played baseball? He integrated baseball in 1947 and eventually became a member of baseball’s Hall of Fame. According to the Racial and Gender Report Card for Major League Baseball’s 2005 season, 59.9% of players were white, 8.5% African-American, 28.7% Latino and 2.5% of Asian descent. Jackie helped even that playing field and, in doing so, gave opportunities to others. Try to imagine baseball today without Albert Pujols or Ryan Howard.
I could continue on forever with examples, but I’ll make it short. People in the past have opened the door of opportunity to us. What we make of that opened door is up to us. Will we make our dreams come true? The choices we make today will open opportunity’s door for others tomorrow.
Until next week, keep dreaming.
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/learn/lessons/97/dream/thedream.html
http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/voting/004986.html
http://www.bus.ucf.edu/sport/public/downloads/2005_Racial_Gender_Report_Card_MLB.pdf
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