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Mary Ann Dimand's avatar

"Innately". does a lot of work there, in any case. As if each person were born full-grown from the head of America.Rather, we're given (or not given) nurture and development, and then given (or not given) opportunities.

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Susan Campbell's avatar

That is a tricky word, isn't it? I sometimes wonder if embracing the American dream does us all a disservice, even while I -- being honest here -- embrace it anyway.

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Mary Ann Dimand's avatar

I'm inclined to think that we should suspend the sort of dreaming we call "American" until we get better at plain old pedestrian social decency.

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Susan Campbell's avatar

I wish I'd said this.

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Mary Ann Dimand's avatar

There's plenty of time to go out and say it, fortunately. :D

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Sharon Foster (CT)'s avatar

As the grandchild of immigrants, I think the American Dream comes down to the expectation that each succeeding generation will do better materially than the previous one. So, for example, the first generation works long hours washing dishes, waiting tables, scrimps and saves, buys their own diner, keeps working long hours, and sends their kids to college. They become doctors and lawyers and engineers. But kids coming of age today in this era of vast wealth inequality? I think it's a whole different story for them.

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Susan Campbell's avatar

I am 9th generation. And we lost our way as far as each successive generation doing better, for a while. But we are back on track just in time for my grandchildren to inherit these huge wealth gaps. I don’t know. I’d hoped we’d hand off something prettier.

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Dori Smith's avatar

You may be seriously underestimating the other gifts our ancestors leave us with. While you may not be able to pass on the kind of material wealth that secures young people for generations to come, you will inspire them as a writer, teacher, and fully realized human being. The gifts of confidence, hope, love and personal insight, are also a treasure.

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Susan Campbell's avatar

And there I was, looking strictly at financial benefits. You're right, though in my family's case, we have some side trips through crime and poverty that left a pretty deep mark, and that goes generations' deep.

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