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| By Bachrach/Globe archives - Original publication: boston globeImmediate source: https://www.bostonglobe.com/ideas/2015/04/16/what-man-behind-american-dream-really-meant/uni438RcM82Y3QDnkwRz5H/story.html, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=46455705 |
Confessing Cynicism and the "Madison Avenue" Dream
Okay, confession time. I’m a cynic. There, I said it. For a long time, one of my prime targets for cynical side-eye has been the “American Dream.” Because, let’s be honest, the version of the American Dream that’s been relentlessly marketed to us for decades feels… well, a bit hollow, doesn’t it? The house in the suburbs, the two cars in the driveway, the perfectly manicured lawn, the 2.5 kids (where does that half-kid even live?). It all smacks of… Madison Avenue, doesn’t it? Like some cleverly crafted ad campaign designed to sell us more stuff, convincing us that happiness comes pre-packaged in a suburban box, and that “success” is measured in square footage and horsepower. For years, I’ve just shrugged it off as vapid consumerism masquerading as national aspiration, a dusty relic of the postwar boom, utterly irrelevant to the complexities of the 21st century. But then… I did a little digging. And I stumbled upon something that made even my cynical heart do a double-take.
The Shocking Truth - Discovering the Original American Dream (James Truslow Adams, 1931)
Turns out, the term “American Dream” wasn’t dreamt up by some 1950s ad executive in a haze of cigarette smoke and martini fumes. It was coined in 1931, during the depths of the Great Depression, by a historian and writer named James Truslow Adams, in his book “The Epic of America.” And Adams’ definition? Prepare to have your cynicism… mildly inconvenienced. He described the American Dream as “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.” And then, even more powerfully, he elaborated: “a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position.” Whoa. Wait a minute. This isn’t about buying things. This isn’t about owning things. This isn’t even about a specific set of instructions for achieving personal wealth. This is about potential. This is about equality of opportunity. This is about a “better life for everyone,” not just a select few. This is about societal progress, not just individual accumulation. Suddenly, my decades of cynical scoffing felt… a tad premature. Turns out, the original American Dream is… actually kind of… inspiring? Color me surprised.
Beyond Consumption - Potential, Opportunity, and a Better Society
Let’s really unpack Adams’ real American Dream. “Reaching their full potential… regardless of circumstances.” Think about that for a moment. This isn’t about accumulating the most stuff. It’s about human flourishing. It’s about creating a society where everyone, everyone, has the chance to develop their talents, pursue their passions, and become the best version of themselves, unburdened by the accidents of birth or social standing. It’s about meritocracy in the truest sense, where your potential is limited only by your abilities and efforts, not by your zip code or your parents’ income bracket. And then there’s the “better life for all citizens” part. This is explicitly collective. It’s not just about my dream, or your dream; it’s about our shared dream of a better society for everyone. It’s about building a nation where progress benefits all, where opportunity is widespread, and where the rising tide lifts all boats. Compare this to the modern, consumerist caricature of the American Dream. The big house, the fancy car, the endless accumulation of… things. It’s a dream built on individual consumption, often at the expense of community, equality, and even environmental sustainability. It's a dream that, let's face it, increasingly feels unattainable for many and unfulfilling even for those who “achieve” it. Adams’ original vision is something profoundly different, something far more noble and enduring.
Reclaiming the Dream - Why It Still Matters (and Why Cynicism Is a Trap)
In a world awash in cynicism, where grand narratives are often dismissed as naive and outdated, is there still room for the American Dream? I think there is, especially if we reclaim the original dream envisioned by James Truslow Adams. Because his vision – of potential unleashed, of opportunity for all, of a better society for everyone – that’s a dream still worth fighting for. In fact, it’s arguably more relevant than ever in an age of rising inequality, social division, and a creeping sense of societal malaise. Cynicism, while often presented as sophisticated and “realistic,” can be a self-fulfilling prophecy. If we collectively decide that the American Dream is dead, that meaningful progress is impossible, and that all we’re left with is the shallow pursuit of individual gain, then guess what? That’s exactly what we’ll get. But what if we choose to embrace the aspirational core of Adams’ vision? What if we actively work to create a society where everyone does have a genuine chance to reach their full potential, regardless of their background? What if we recommit to building a nation where progress benefits all, and where “a better life for all citizens” isn't just a slogan, but a tangible goal? The real American Dream isn't a destination; it’s a direction. It’s a continuous striving, an ongoing project of building a more just, equitable, and opportunity-rich society. And that, my friends, is a dream worth believing in, and definitely worth working towards, cynicism be damned.
Urban Planning and the Realization of the Dream (Subtle Connection)
And where does urban planning fit into all of this? Well, think about it. What kind of environments best foster the “potential unleashed,” the “opportunity for all,” the “better life for everyone” that Adams envisioned? Are they sprawling, car-dependent exurbs, designed for individual isolation and consumption? Or are they vibrant, diverse, opportunity-rich cities, places of connection, innovation, and shared public life? Cities, at their best, can be engines of social mobility, providing access to education, jobs, transportation, and cultural resources that can help people from all backgrounds climb the ladder of opportunity and reach their full potential. Cities can be melting pots of diversity, fostering understanding, empathy, and a sense of shared humanity across different backgrounds. And cities, with their density and dynamism, can be incubators of innovation and progress, generating the economic, social, and cultural dynamism that can lift everyone up. Reclaiming the American Dream isn’t just about individual aspirations; it’s about building the kinds of communities and cities that can actually make that dream more attainable for more people.
Dream Again - Toward a More Just and Equitable Future
Let’s reject the cynical, consumerist caricature of the American Dream and embrace the powerful, enduring vision of James Truslow Adams. Let’s remember that the real American Dream isn’t about bigger houses and fancier cars; it’s about potential unleashed, opportunity for all, and a better life for everyone. It’s a dream of equity, progress, and shared prosperity. It’s a dream still worth believing in, and still worth fighting for. So, let’s shed the cynicism, dust off our idealism, and dream again. Let’s work together to build a society where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential and live a truly better life. The American Dream isn't dead. It's just been… hijacked. Let's reclaim it. Let's rediscover its original, noble purpose, and let's commit to building a nation worthy of that dream – a nation of opportunity, equality, and a better life for all. Cynicism? Thanks, but no thanks. We've got a dream to rebuild. And maybe, just maybe, that dream starts in our cities, in the vibrant, opportunity-rich, and diverse communities we can build together.
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