The Real America

I have an American dream because America is a country closely related to my life though I have never set foot on its soil.

For more than four decades I had been a High School teacher, and America was a curriculum focus of the Geography lessons I taught during the first twenty years. There was a time when technological teaching aids were unknown, and hanging maps and sketches were used instead. However, I preferred to match my teaching with a quick sketch of my own. In fact, sketch maps of the American regions were already imprinted on my mind. I still remember how my students used to marvel at the quickness with which I showed the location of the five Great Lakes and River St. Lawrence. I also showed how the Rocky Mountains act as a climatic barrier between Colorado and California. Lessons on Physical Geography, too, were made more vivid with sketches such as those showing how flood plains on both sides of the Mississippi were formed.

What I favored most, however, were lessons on the early colonization of the American continent. I took great delight in telling my students stories about how immigrants from the European countries underwent the long and difficult journey across the Atlantic with the hope of starting a new life and how they had overcome challenges and obstacles before they finally settled down to a life of peace and freedom.

Today prosperous cities are found where the first thirteen colonies once lay. But stories of the bravery and tenacity of the early settlers are never forgotten. In fact, this part of America, especially the Ellis Island on the Hudson River, is the location that can be seen as the REAL America. The Ellis Island is the base of the Statue of Liberty, assumedly a joint project of the French and American peoples, thus symbolizing the friendship between the two countries. It is also regarded as an icon of freedom and a welcoming signal to the immigrants from abroad. In fact, America is a country known for its invincible efforts to promote freedom and human rights, giving hope to people who find themselves oppressed and abused just like the first immigrants from Europe. The American people are also well liked for their open mindedness and friendliness in many parts of the world, disregarding racial variations. Therefore, when asked about the Real America, I never fail to cite the Ellis Island.

In addition, while preparing my students for TOEFL tests, I was exposed to lots of information about the American culture. The comprehension passages chosen to test candidates’ understanding of various fields of knowledge quite often included historical accounts of early American exploration and settlement. Not surprisingly, I was further impressed by how well the Ellis Island and its vicinity depicted the REAL America.

On the other hand, it is agreed that attention is now focused on America’s dynamic achievements as a Super Power over the past decades. Undeniably, success has been attributed to the efforts of so many who have been educated on the valued principle of freedom for all and acceptance of varied cultures and origins. In this, the Ellis Island, a favorite site for school visits, never fails to play its part.

I have retired since last August, but my attachment to the American culture has not lessened. Instead, I still find it enriching my life. With more time at my disposal, I now read voraciously, both for pleasure and for information acquisition. My favorite books happen to be among the New York Times best sellers such as Jodi Picoult’s and Michael Connelly’s. I take delight in comparing the American teenagers’ problems with those of ours in Macau. I also get thrilled at how skillfully the American lawyers handle a court case. Moreover, I watch CBS news very often. While keeping me well informed, the videos also help me maintain the American accent of my spoken English. Last, but not least, I visit the site of ‘United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ practically every morning for the daily reading of the Bible. I find the audio readings and the video-taped reflections very conducive to my growth in faith.

Yes, I do have an American dream. I hope God will bless me with the opportunity to find myself in a place which I have cherished in my heart for decades. Will the Ellis Island be the same as I’ve seen it so many times in pictures and videos used for my teaching aids? Will my dream materialize before my health fails with the growing age?