01 April 2008

The American Dream

Isn't it funny that the American Dream seems to be all we are concerned about? It is intriguing to me, however, that in order for one to pursue the American Dream, he or she must let go of what I consider to be (or perhaps what should be) core values. As I see it, core values are God/Spirit, family, education/jobs, and friends. We somehow seem to incorporate all of these values in the wrong order. Here, I must make what some may call an unusual indictment, especially for a minister of the Gospel. In many American churches, both black and white, preachers and teachers are not necessarily concerned with ensuring that their parishioners keep God first in their lives. Oftentimes, God seems to be a fall-back or secondary option when our initial attempts fail. For example, most parent want their children to grow up and become successful. There is not a problem with this per se; however, if success is not approached in the correct manner, while keeping these core values in the right perspective, it is a vain enterprise. In generations of old, parents, especially in black communities, urged their children to grow up and become someone who did some good in the community. Today, we seem to urge our young people to do well but not good. Why is this? Is the pursuit of the American Dream worth forsaking the ethos of brotherly love? Many people have no problem reciting the Golden Rule, yet when we get into the competitive world of academia and the workforce we would rather steamroll over anyone who stands in our way. Is the American Dream worth that much, or should we consider a new paradigm centered on love and service for all?

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