Sharing the American Dream: A Vision and a Pledge

In a powerful speech at Cooper Union's Great Hall in New York, the author joined Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman to explore the future of the American Dream. Drawing from personal reflections, historical definitions, and a transformative experience at a local high school play, the author outlines a compelling vision for a shared dream and introduces a concrete pledge to make it real. Below, key insights from that speech are explored through questions and answers.

How did James Truslow Adams define the American Dream in its original context?

James Truslow Adams, writing in 1931 during the Great Depression, defined the American Dream as “a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement.” He emphasized that it was not merely about material wealth like motor cars or high wages, but about a social order where every individual could achieve their fullest potential, recognized for who they are regardless of birth or circumstance. This definition underscores a vision of a society where personal growth and community well-being go hand in hand, setting a foundational benchmark for understanding the dream today.

Sharing the American Dream: A Vision and a Pledge — Source: blog.codinghorror.com

What personal experience led the author to a deeper understanding of the American Dream?

In November, the author attended a high school production of The Outsiders, based on S.E. Hinton's novel. While familiar with the famous line “stay gold” from the film, watching the full story performed by teenagers in his community sparked a revelation. He realized that “stay gold” symbolizes sharing the American Dream with others. Merely attaining the dream is incomplete; the dream is fully realized only when it is shared with fellow Americans. This act of sharing became the core of the author's vision, leading him to name his essay “Stay Gold, America” and to commit to a pledge.

What is the “Pledge to Share the American Dream” and what immediate actions did it involve?

The author published a “Pledge to Share the American Dream” on January 7th, outlining both short-term and long-term commitments. In the short term, his family made eight one-million-dollar donations to nonprofit organizations addressing urgent needs: Team Rubicon (disaster response), Children’s Hunger Fund, PEN America (free expression), The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ youth), NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, First Generation Investors (financial literacy), Global Refuge (immigrant support), and Planned Parenthood. Additionally, they donated to strengthen technical infrastructure, including Wikipedia, The Internet Archive, The Common Crawl Foundation, Let’s Encrypt, independent journalism outlets, and open-source software projects that power much of the world.

Why did the author choose to support technical infrastructure and open-source projects alongside social causes?

The author recognized that a robust digital commons is essential for widely sharing opportunities and information. Donations to organizations like Wikipedia and The Internet Archive ensure free access to knowledge; Let’s Encrypt provides encryption for secure internet; and open-source software underpins modern technology. These contributions are part of a holistic approach: while direct aid addresses immediate crises, strengthening the digital backbone helps millions more achieve their potential. The author believes that a truly shared American Dream requires both physical and virtual resources to be accessible to all.

How does the author encourage other Americans to participate in sharing the dream?

The author urges every American to contribute soon — however they can — to organizations that effectively help those most in need. This call is inclusive, recognizing that not everyone can give millions but everyone can give something: time, talent, or money. The key is to act promptly, focusing on groups that align with one’s values and do tangible good. By directing support to proven nonprofits, individuals become active participants in building a society where opportunity is genuinely shared, moving beyond passive belief to active contribution.

What is the second, more ambitious part of the Pledge, according to the author?

The author states that short-term fixes, while necessary, are insufficient. The Pledge to Share the American Dream requires a “much more ambitious second act” — deeper, longer-lasting systemic changes. Though the text is cut off, the implication is that the next phase involves structural reforms (potentially including policies like guaranteed minimum income) to create a foundation where sharing the dream becomes an inherent feature of American society. This second act aims to address root causes of inequality and ensure that opportunity is not a privilege but a universal right.

How does the concept of “stay gold” relate to the ongoing struggle for the American Dream?

The phrase “stay gold”, drawn from The Outsiders, reminds us to preserve the purity and hope of the American Dream. The author interprets it as an imperative to not only achieve personal success but to actively share that success with others. “Staying gold” means holding onto the ideal of a social order where everyone can rise, regardless of background. In practical terms, it means using one’s resources and influence to lift up those left behind. The ongoing struggle is to keep this golden ideal alive in a divided country, turning the dream into a living reality through generosity and systemic innovation.

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