The Streets ARE Paved with Gold

July 11 - Michigan, USA

I can't believe it's been nearly two weeks since I've been back in the States. It's flown by in a whirlwind of reunions with Darin's family + friends in Michigan. Cities like Ann Arbor, Bad Axe + Detroit; Lakes Michigan + Superior; Strolls through quaint towns + crumbling cities; Drives through miles + miles of lush farmland; A boat cruise past the dramatic Pictured Rocks of the U.P. Many images come to mind, but the overriding one that ties it all together is how prosperous the U.S. looks. Everyone's homes are well-manicured and with sweeping green lawns. People are shopping. Most folks seem to be driving new cars, or SUV's, too and there are a lot of recreational vehicles to boot. Compared to our own lives while traveling and those of the majority in the developing world, the U.S. is truly a world apart. Where are the signs of the recession we've heard so much about in the press? As seen from the state with the highest unemployment, people don't seem to be curbing their lifestyles much. Are people in denial? Haven't they heard the news?!

Over the course of the trip, in numerous conversations with Indians, Vietnamese, Khmers and Chinese, I always felt irritated at their perceptions of America – the belief that their country is inferior to ours in such a profound way that it's as if our streets are paved with gold. People would frequently profess how envious they were of us - that they want what we have. Having left home in part because I wanted to get away from the pervasive consumerist lifestyle for a while, I actually tried to convince people that the American life isn't as great as what they think. It's not like in the movies. I told them that what they have is in some ways better than what we have. And I said those things in all honesty. Now, when I look at our lavish lifestyles here with fresh eyes, knowing how little most third-worlders have, I see things in a new light. I think of how many families live with 8 or more members in a single, small home. By comparison, a typical middle-class home here is one that only a high-ranking government official could afford in their country. Even more telling are some basic necessities or luxuries that Americans take for granted – 24 hour electricity; 24 hour running water – hot and cold, from a tap inside their home; Garbage collection - both publicly + privately – including street cleaning… to name but a few. With greater wisdom I now have such a deep appreciation for these "necessities" that I almost find it impossible to convey these thoughts to people without my eyes welling up. Most Americans just don't know how incredibly fortunate they are.

With these things in mind, I've been spending a lot of time pondering what it really means to be an American and what my obligations and rights are as a citizen. What is the American Dream? For the vast majority of people on this planet living everyday hand-to-mouth, just trying to get by, their dream is simply for food + shelter, and to live without fear. For the next tier – those educated and now able to improve their lives – it means the ability to move up the food chain and buy a moto or car, a t.v. and a fridge - to be consumers. But for Americans, and many other first-worlders too, the dream is really the expectation, and that's just such a egotistic comfort spot it's no wonder to me that billions of disadvantaged people on the planet are working their butts off to get where we are and that the American economy is declining.

For the positive part of my rant, read on -

From my perspective, as someone whose entire life has been blessed with all these things and who has now spent a fair amount of time in the developing world, the dream is more thoughtful and much bolder. My dream is to hold on to something that is slipping away from America, and Americans - not just jobs, but independence. America is still a place that allows for independent, liberal and even radical thought + expression. It's been dismaying + disturbing for me to see how little voice people have in other countries. Not only do many have the inability to break out of the norm, but the concept of free thought has never even crossed their minds. Or if it has, the idea of actually doing something radical hasn't.

So do something radical - be a free thinker. Don't just believe what you're told, about the state of the economy, about the dangers of venturing outside the safety of our borders, about the rising need for more, more, more. Do your own research and get out of your comfort zone. Challenge yourself. Do something for a cause you believe in. Exercise your rights and freedoms that so much of the rest of the world is literally dying for. Don't let our government become the voice for all Americans. Privilege has it's price, and we all need to start doing our part. I'm saying this just as much to myself as to anyone else. The time is over for being lazy. The American Dream should be for each one of us to lead by example, not only in this, but in all things. Because the world is watching. And because I've come to agree that our streets are paved with gold - at least a little of it - but we're going to have to start making some changes or it's all going to chip away.