Reclaiming the American Dream: A Pledge to Share Prosperity

In a recent speech at Cooper Union's Great Hall, delivered alongside Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman, we explored what the American Dream means today. Drawing from James Truslow Adams' 1931 definition and a poignant high school theater performance of The Outsiders, a powerful vision emerged: the Dream is not just about personal success, but about sharing that success with others. This led to a Pledge to Share the American Dream, combining immediate charitable giving with a longer-term vision for systemic change. Below are key questions and answers about this movement.

What is the American Dream as defined by James Truslow Adams?

James Truslow Adams first articulated the American Dream in 1931, during the depths of the Great Depression. He described it as “a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement.” Crucially, he emphasized that it is “not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which [everyone] shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position.” This definition centers on equal opportunity and the realization of one’s full potential, not just material wealth. It challenges us to build a society where everyone can thrive, irrespective of their starting point.

What inspired the essay “Stay Gold, America” and its central message?

The inspiration came from attending a high school theater production of The Outsiders, based on S.E. Hinton’s 1967 novel. While the iconic line “stay gold” was familiar from the 1983 film, seeing the full story performed in a community setting revealed a deeper meaning. The phrase came to represent the act of sharing the American Dream. The essay, published on January 7th, argues that we cannot merely attain the Dream; it remains incomplete until we share it with our fellow Americans. This act of sharing is the final realization of everything the Dream stands for. Borrowing Hinton’s poetic language, “Stay Gold, America” became both a title and a call to collective action.

What is the Pledge to Share the American Dream?

The Pledge to Share the American Dream is a two-part commitment designed to address both immediate needs and long-term structural change. The first part focuses on short-term relief through substantial charitable donations. The second, more ambitious part aims at deeper, systemic reforms – though the exact details of that second act were not fully described in the original text. The pledge arose from a growing recognition that the American Dream is not a solo achievement but a shared journey. It urges Americans to contribute in whatever way they can to organizations that help those currently most in need, while also working toward a more equitable future for all.

What were the short-term actions taken as part of the pledge?

In the short term, the pledge involved making eight $1 million donations to nonprofit organizations. These included Team Rubicon (disaster response), Children’s Hunger Fund, PEN America (free expression), The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ youth support), NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund (civil rights), First Generation Investors (financial literacy for underserved youth), Global Refuge (migration support), and Planned Parenthood (reproductive healthcare). Beyond these, additional $1 million donations supported critical technical infrastructure: Wikipedia, the Internet Archive, Common Crawl Foundation, Let’s Encrypt, pioneering independent internet journalism, and several open-source software projects. These investments aim to reinforce the digital foundations that power much of the modern world, ensuring equal access to knowledge and tools.

Why is sharing the American Dream considered essential to its fulfillment?

Sharing the American Dream is essential because, as the essay “Stay Gold, America” argues, the Dream is inherently communal. James Truslow Adams’ original vision called for a social order where everyone can attain their fullest stature – not just a privileged few. The experience of watching The Outsiders in a local high school auditorium underscored this truth: the story’s themes of belonging and mutual care resonated because they were experienced collectively. Individual success without communal uplift leaves the Dream incomplete, creating a society of isolated winners and left-behinds. By actively sharing opportunity, recognition, and resources, we truly realize the promise of a richer and fuller life for all, fulfilling the moral and social dimensions of the Dream.

How can ordinary Americans participate in the Pledge to Share the American Dream?

The original speech encourages every American to contribute soon, “however you can,” to organizations they feel are effectively helping those most in need. Participation is not limited to large donations; it includes any meaningful support – volunteering, fundraising, advocacy, or giving time and skills. The key is to act with intention and to focus on groups that address urgent needs, such as hunger, civil rights, mental health, or disaster relief. By integrating the spirit of sharing into daily life – whether through supporting a local food bank or championing internet access – ordinary citizens become part of a broader movement to restore the American Dream as a shared reality. The pledge is a call to move from passive belief to active contribution.