Why I Still Believe in the American Dream (Part 1)

I’m often asked why I started this blog and the little brand I built called, Official Fellow Citizen®. Like you, I’m a dreamer who believes when given the opportunity, any one of us can achieve great things. Let me explain why I’ve chosen to embrace, celebrate, and honor the American Dream.

Yep, that’s me! My father was a U.S. Navy veteran who fought in the South Pacific during WWII. My mother barely spoke English when she immigrated from South America and fell in love with our dad. I remember watching her at our kitchen table studying late at night to memorize her 100 civics questions and practice English. Her Spanish accent struggled to pronounce the letter "y," and the word "yellow" was often confused with our favorite dessert — "Jell-O."

Growing up in Washington D.C. provided a view into my mother’s immigration that taught me to appreciate every small achievement. On the day of my mother's swearing-in ceremony, it was a typical hot and humid day in the nation's capital. My father carried me on his shoulders so I could have the best view of the festivities. The smell of fireworks mixed with the sweet scent of summer barbecues filled the humid air. As fireflies began to light up around us, the sky exploded in a myriad of colors, celebrating my mother’s new citizenship. The atmosphere was electric, and the sense of unity was palpable.

When my family attended our mother's swearing-in ceremony, it took place in Washington, D.C. during the summer of 1976. After she proudly received her United States citizenship certificate, we waved little hand flags, feeling proud of her achievement. Then we celebrated as a family by attending the 1976 Fourth of July Bicentennial in Washington, D.C. It was the 200th birthday of the Declaration of Independence and was considered the most fantastic fireworks display in U.S. history. People wore t-shirts that read, "Beneath This Shirt Beats the Heart of America." On our way to the Lincoln Memorial, our father asked a stranger a question that led him to share details about our celebration. When the man heard our mother was a new American citizen, he shook her hand and said, "Congratulations! You're an official fellow citizen."

That man’s words never left my heart—that a complete stranger was as proud of our mother as we were. Today, I still believe in the possibilities of the American dream but now we can explore it through the lens of modern realities in our own pursuit of happiness. The impact of the digital age has broadened the opportunity in ways our forefathers could not have imagined. So, it is here, in this blog, where we can imagine it for them.

Becoming a U.S. citizen is not about the paper certificate or a beautiful holder but rather the dignity of American pride, unity, and how we treat one another.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for embarking on this journey with me. I’d love to hear your stories. How do you define the American Dream? What does it mean for you and your family? Every story and every experience is a testament to the ever-evolving essence of what it means to be an American. Please share in the comments below, and let's celebrate our shared dreams and aspirations together.