When I was growing up, the last thing I ever wanted to admit was that I was a first-generation American. But now, as time has passed, there is a great pride and distinction in that my family started here with nothing, and made their own small slice of the American dream.
America, The Promised Land
When you sit back and think about it, it’s pretty extraordinary that people dream of coming to America. In my travels around the world, I’ve found myself in orphanages in Ghana, schools in Sri Lanka, and children’s hospitals in Tanzania. The teachers would introduce me as someone from the United States, and the kids faces would light up. It was as if I automatically had celebrity status in their eyes, because of my geographic lottery of being born in the U.S.A.
I would often bring books to read to the kids about New York City, but the majority of them already knew about New York. They would ask if buildings really were that tall, and there was commonly the fascination with taxis and how long the flight would be on an airplane to America. While kids nowadays are so intelligent, I don’t know many American kindergarteners or 3rd graders who know Sri Lanka is a country. But yet these kids, most of whom will never even take an airplane, dreamt of the United States. It’s something looking back on those days in places that had just dirt floors, that is especially meaningful this 4th of July.
Our country has been a beacon of hope for people who want to build a better life. There aren’t many countries that inspire that sentiment. That same group of kids in Ghana didn’t dream of Australia or the UK, which obviously are also wonderful places. I think part of the sentiment towards Americans was our generosity to so many projects abroad. We made a lot of things possible, from critical food programs, HIV drugs, medical supplies, education, and beautification of parks. There was always pride when I saw signs around the world that said “Donated by the U.S. Government and USAID”.
A Country Built by Immigrants
When I grew up in the homogenous suburbs of Chicago, it wasn’t that easy for someone of Asian descent. Both my family and I endured challenges. In my generation, there was still blatant discrimination when I was younger, even as a U.S. born citizen. I was as American as any of my classmates, but was made to feel less-so as first-generation.
Of course people are not as ignorant today and I would say that I’m lucky to not have encountered those challenges for decades now. At the time though, it wasn’t easy, but it built a character and drive that I would never trade for anything. My family and I kept our heads down and worked harder than anyone else around us. Because that’s what immigrants and first-generation Americans do in this country to make it. And it’s a big part of why our country has been the greatest place to live on earth. Today, I am so proud to be a first-generation American, and so proud of my family’s achievements.
I know that my parents, like the children I meet around the world, dreamt of America. It’s in this country that with hard work, you can build your American dream. It’s also one of the only places that you can call yourself proudly an American, even if you aren’t born here. If you’ve ever been to a swearing in ceremony for those who gain American citizenship, there is barely a dry eye in the house. This has always been one of the tenants that has made this country the place that people dream of. I hope that we can all continue to live our own American Dream.
Happy 4th of July.
Christine Drinan, Founder
