When Walt Whitman wrote that he celebrated himself, he lauded his right to “loafe.” This laziness, described by the man who defined America better than any other, is part of the American way. I would not propose to say it is an American trait—that is simply not true. But it is perhaps also inaccurate that Americans are the only ones who can claim to have a Puritan work ethic.
It is fair to say, however, that the American ideal encourages effort and success, by any means necessary. So is this ideal, or any other nationalistic definition, the best way to frame Americanism?
Some people argue that success comes through advancement and mobility. You were successful in high school if you got into a good college, and you were successful in college if you got a good job, and you were successful in life if you married a good spouse and had good kids and made good money to buy a good house in a good neighborhood.
Others would argue that success comes through the wisdom described by the likes of Emerson, Thoreau and Whitman. Success could truly be achieved by sucking on the marrow of life; of laughing and loving much; of standing up for the stupid and crazy.
The sole conclusion I have arrived at, time and time again, is that the American dream ought to be open to an individual’s interpretation. It can be whatever you want it to be. If your dream equates to devoting a lifetime to the Peace Corps, than your dream has been achieved. Likewise, if your dream consists of working 80 hour weeks as a stock broker, then your dream has been achieved.
But what if our dreams are rarely realized? What if the “American dream” is a fallacy? How many unrealized dreams does it take to turn the dream into a nightmare?
I would posit that in the face of a nightmare, the definitions provided by Emerson, Thoreau and Whitman ring that much truer. There is healing in poetry, and wisdom in those words. And we would be all the wiser for taking those words to heart.
So perhaps it is time to move away from the limitations of striving to own a house and a picket fence. There ought to be more, and it ought to be open to consideration, and it ought to be malleable, too. America’s founding document is certainly subject to change, so why shouldn’t the ideals of its citizenry be equally flexible?
Belief can transcend any and all of our dreams, collective or otherwise. But belief requires interest, and interest can only subsist through action. And action will only come when we chase our dreams. Otherwise, apathy will reign.
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