The Dream That Binds Us
In 1931, amid the Great Depression, historian James Truslow Adams gave America a defining vision: a land where life becomes "better and richer and fuller for everyone," not merely through material wealth but through a social order that allows each person to reach their fullest potential, regardless of birth or circumstance. This is the American Dream—a promise of opportunity, not just for a few, but for all. Yet today, that promise feels fractured. Many wonder: what parts of this dream do we still share? And how can we mend a nation that seems increasingly divided?
The Lesson of "Stay Gold"
One evening, seated among neighbors at a high school production of The Outsiders, the answer began to take shape. The novel, written by S.E. Hinton in 1967, is famous for the line "stay gold"—a plea to hold onto innocence and goodness. But watching the teenagers act out the story, a deeper meaning emerged: the American Dream is incomplete until it is shared. We do not simply attain the dream; we complete it by extending its promise to others. This act of sharing transforms individual success into a collective triumph.
A Pledge to Share the Dream
Acting on this insight, a family took a bold step. They published an essay titled "Stay Gold, America" and launched a Pledge to Share the American Dream—a commitment with both immediate and long-term actions.
Immediate Giving: Supporting Vital Nonprofits
In the short term, the family made eight donations of one million dollars each to organizations addressing urgent needs: Team Rubicon (disaster response), Children’s Hunger Fund (food security), 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 (refugee assistance), and Planned Parenthood (reproductive health).
They also invested in America’s critical infrastructure by donating to Wikipedia, The Internet Archive, The Common Crawl Foundation, Let’s Encrypt, independent journalism, and multiple open-source software projects that power the digital world. These contributions strengthen the foundations of knowledge, connectivity, and transparency that benefit everyone.
How You Can Help
Every American can participate. Whether through financial contributions, volunteering, or simply amplifying the work of organizations you trust, sharing the dream starts with small but meaningful steps. The goal is not only to provide relief but to build a more resilient society.
The Road Not Taken: Guaranteed Minimum Income
Short-term fixes, however vital, cannot address the deep structural inequities that persist. The Pledge to Share the American Dream calls for a bolder second act—one that explores uncharted paths. Among them is the concept of a Guaranteed Minimum Income (GMI). This idea, often considered a road not taken, proposes that every citizen receives a baseline income sufficient to meet basic needs, regardless of employment status.
Proponents argue that GMI could reduce poverty, improve health outcomes, and allow people to pursue education, caregiving, or entrepreneurial ventures without fear of destitution. Critics worry about cost and work incentives, but pilot programs worldwide—from Finland to Kenya—have shown promising results. Could this be the missing piece in our shared dream? Return to the Pledge to see how immediate and long-term efforts complement each other.
Staying Gold Together
The American Dream is not a static trophy to be collected; it is a living promise that must be renewed by each generation. As James Truslow Adams envisioned, it is a dream of social order where every person can achieve their innate potential—and be recognized for who they are, not where they started. By sharing our prosperity, by staying gold, we honor that vision. Whether through immediate donations or advocating for systemic changes like a guaranteed minimum income, the path forward requires us to act together. The road not taken can become the one we choose—if we have the courage to share.