Dr. BELLAMKONDA K. KISHORE*
Many aspiring young people around the world are fascinated with the American Dream. Many are willing to risk everything, even cross borders illegally, just to taste it. Yet few pause to ask what the American Dream truly means, or why it remains so uniquely tied to America. What makes this dream possible here, and why has no other country been able to replicate it? It’s time to look deeper into the anatomy of the American Dream — how it was born, what keeps it alive, and what threatens its survival today.
The term “American Dream” was first coined by James Truslow Adams in his 1931 best-selling book, Epic of America, where he described it 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.” Thus, the American Dream gave a competitive advantage to the United States to attract immigrants as compared to other developed countries. During the 20th century, the American Dream attracted many brilliant scientists and scholars from the developed world to the United States, thus making it a global power and a gold standard benchmark in every field.
The American Dream is not magic. It is the product of planned conception, embryonic development, anatomy, and physiology of the way this great nation was born, structured, and incorporated in the Constitution by its Founding Fathers, and how its fabric has been protected by generations of loyal and patriotic citizens of the United States, as well as the great leaders of this nation from time to time. Hence, the American Dream can last as long as the fabric is protected and taken care of. Ronald Reagan said: “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. It has to be fought for and defended by each generation.”
So also, the American Dream is never more than one generation away from extinction if not protected proactively and passed down to ensure its survival. The American Dream has survived so far because of the collective mindset of the people of the United States to uphold the following basic principles and values, and thus to embrace the best in every individual and promote him/her irrespective of ethnic background, religion, or national origin. The principles and values they uphold are: (i) social equality and dignity of labor, (ii) access to opportunities, (iii) unhindered upward mobility, (iv) individual achievement despite lack of inherited status, wealth, or connections in high places, and (v) freedom without restriction. These have enabled even an ordinary person to do extraordinary things in the United States. Talented immigrants rose to much higher levels in their professions in the United States as compared to what they could have achieved in their native countries. That is the beauty of the United States. Although not often appreciated, the United States’ Constitution and judiciary play critical roles in preserving the American Dream. As a constitutional republic, the United States rigorously protects the civil rights and freedoms of the people and thus allows them to pursue their dreams.
Despite its uniqueness, over the past few decades, the meaning of the American Dream has evolved and is gradually losing its purpose. In the past, in its pristine form, the American Dream was not about economic opportunity or success, but the pursuit of human endeavor in all fields. These dreamers worked diligently and created a nation with unparalleled scientific, industrial, and healthcare institutions across the country. These made the United States the gold standard in every sphere.
A few examples of pioneering Indian Americans are Dr. Yellapragada Subbarow, Dr. Hargobind Khorana (Nobel Laureate), Dr. Subramanyan Chandrasekhar (Nobel Laureate), Dr. Abraham Verghese, Dr. Dattatreyudu Nori. Ironically, these pioneers migrated to the USA on non-immigrant visas. There was no H1-B mechanism at that time, and creating wealth in America was not easy for professionals like them. These are the early pioneers who earned respect for Indians and India in the American Society. Until that time very few Americans knew about India and Indians. Yet not many young Indian Americans know their own pioneers who walked on American soil decades before they arrived here.
At the individual level, the American Dream offered a unique opportunity to become high achievers in the chosen field of work or profession, making them architects of their own lives and destiny. They became creators of their own lives, which gave them immense satisfaction in life. This approach also allowed citizens, both native-born and naturalized immigrants, to become builders of the nation with integration, loyalty, and patriotism.
An example of such a passionate Indian American who chased her dreams was late Dr. Kalpana Chawla, the celebrated US Astronaut. Veena Rao, the Chief of Editor of the NRI Pulse, who chased her dream to create her own news magazine received Bharat Gaurav (Pride of India) Award by the India International Friendship Society, New Delhi. Rao has the distinction of the first woman editor who created her own publication outside India. She is a perfect example of fulfilling the America Dream as defined by James Truslow Adams in 1931. Recently, I published my passionate journey as an immigrant scientist in the United States, under the title Naturalized US Citizen: Culture, Tradition, Integration, Loyalty and Patriotism. I am sure there are many more Indian Americans who have passionately pursued their dreams and achieved laurels. I urge such Indian Americans to share their own stories. The young generation of immigrants from India as well as the second generation of Indian Americans need role models to emulate with clear direction in life and career. That only preserves the American Dream.
However, over the past two to three decades, the American Dream has been increasingly perceived as an economic opportunity as the benchmark of success. In this process, individual achievement, pursuit of excellence, and contribution to the nation, as well as integration, loyalty, and patriotism, have taken a backseat. This is what we are seeing these days. It is not illegal but immoral to do so. If more people follow this new definition, there is an imminent danger that within a generation, this country will not be able to support the American Dream.
More importantly, this approach by some immigrants is creating problems not only for those who follow it, but also for other dedicated immigrants who work hard to integrate into mainstream America with loyalty and patriotism. Therefore, it is time to pause and reflect — is this truly the right path to pursue in the quest for the American Dream?
To protect, preserve, and pass on the American Dream intact to the next generation, we need to proactively strengthen the principles and values for which this nation stood. In this context, what is the role of the Indian Diaspora, which has the reputation of being the model minority?
Twenty-first century America needs people who can create opportunities for others and thus help them move up the ladder with passion. It is time the Indian Diaspora changed its course and innovated itself. Being the most successful minority, the Indian Diaspora is uniquely positioned to uplift other less fortunate minorities with them in education, wealth creation, and other higher aspects of life. Mentoring is another opportunity, as there are many bright students among other minorities, who badly need mentors. I have mentored a few such students, and they have become successful professionals in the healthcare sector (physicians, physician assistants, pharmacists etc.) By doing so, the Indian Diaspora will add another dimension to the American Dream that mirrors its own heritage. Because, by following this path, the Indian Diaspora will practically demonstrate to the American people what is meant by Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the whole humanity is one family of God) and Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas (Together with all, Development for all). This sublime path will cement the Indian Diaspora with mainstream America more strongly than any other path. God bless America.
About the Author: Prof. BK. Kishore, MD, PhD, MBA, is an academician, innovator, entrepreneur and author. He lives in Sandy, Utah. Recently he published his memoir Naturalized US Citizen: Culture, Tradition, Integration, Loyalty, and Patriotism (Journey of an Immigrant Scientist), available in Amazon and Notion Press and Flipkart in India. www.bkkishore.online. Dr. Kishore is a recipient of the Hind Rattan (Jewel of India), and Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi Leadership awards from the NRI Welfare Society of India in New Delhi.
