Immigration Speech
A house surrounded by a white picket fence, two and half children, and (depending on your level of allergic susceptibility) maybe a dog. That’s how I have always imagined the American Dream. One writer for The Balance defined it as “the ideal that the government should protect each person's opportunity to pursue their own idea of happiness.” Rafael Cruz, father of famed Texas senator Ted Cruz, states, “Only in America can someone start with nothing and achieve the American Dream,” and America’s socialist grandpa, Bernie Sanders, believes that, “For many, the American dream has become a nightmare.” After extensive research of American Dream quotes, I was more confused than ever about what the dream was — or if this dream was actually a nightmare.
When you type ‘American Dream’ into dictionary.com, you are greeted with a lengthy list of mostly white writers who believe they either know, like Rafael, what the dream is, or who have an explanation for what happened to the dream, like Bernie. The dictionary definition of the ‘American Dream’ is defined as “the ideals of freedom, equality, and opportunity traditionally held to be available to every American.” For over 250 years now, America has offered the Dream, yet whom we offer that dream has continuously been the same select group.
On what was supposed to be a delightful summer Saturday, I opened Instagram, hoping to see a hilarious Spongebob meme to kickstart my morning. Instead, a self-proclaimed “woke teen” flushed my timeline with images of Latinx children. In cages. My heart broke for these kids who would never be the same again. I read article upon article trying to understand how this could happen to children—children who were simply searching for the American Dream like you and me.
When did the American Dream become so exclusive that our president is quoted saying that we prefer people from Norway and not people from “shitholes” like Haiti? Historically, the American Dream has always been surrounding someone whose started with nothing—someone from nowhere making something—and we have always admired that certain someone whenever they have been a white male. But Italians, Irish, Jews, and Chinese people have have all experienced the immigration process in America, yet Asians and Jewish people have continued to face prejudice, while their Italian and Irish counterparts left their discrimination behind in the 19th and early 20th century.
Why is it any different when the person is black or brown and is just starting their search for the Dream? Why are people of color expected to have their American Dream complete upon entry into this country and society? Why are we not included in the Dream?
Why isn’t America more accepting of each stage of the Dream instead of obsessing over the final product? Our country was built by those in search of the Dream who began their journey from nothing. When did we stop enforcing this value and draw a line between who can and who cannot reach the ideal? Furthermore, why judge someone on something that is just an ideal based on economic status rather than judging that person by their ambition, goals, and will? If our country was built by dreamers, then why, 250 years later, aren't we letting dreamers dream?
So what does this extensive rant of my internal conflicts and beliefs on the American Dream have to do with you? Well, that’s for you to decide. I’m just a speaker—not America’s therapist; I cannot prescribe a remedy to America’s racism and xenophobia. But like me, you have to make sure to not be afraid to voice these thoughts—regardless of your audience. Be bold, and use one part of the American Dream that has always stayed the same: freedom of speech. My hope for you is that you use voice to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves, combating the inequities in America to protect the American Dream for all.