When I started teaching again, I did everything that I could to make my teaching representative of who I am.  As part of that effort, I focused the first four weeks on a topic that concerns me: the American Dream, specifically over-consumption in our culture.  I had my students watch the film “Affluenza” and write responses to it. Some of their beliefs were quite shocking and disturbing. 

So many of my students believe that if we work hard, we should be able to do anything we want with the profits of those labors.  They do not see beyond the borders of this country, let alone the ghettos or alleyways within.  Some of my students argued that our economy is dependent on unsustainable consumption.  They believe our president when he tells us that we must continue to consume as we do or else the terrorists have won.  They buy into the myth of an American Dream, that everyone shares the same opportunity and can live freely as an individual any way that they choose.  They believe that our consumption patterns are patriotic, just and good, an expression of our freedom.  

© Salahub 2003