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Slide 1: A q&a with R on the American Dream.
Slide 2: But first … an introduction. R is currently an esteemed school board member who is a passionate advocate for the importance of education. At only 7 years old, R and her family fled Middle East during the revolution in order to guarantee access to education as a woman. She learned English after arriving to Northern Virginia, where her family settled. R graduated from George Mason University Law School and has since worked to give back to her community both through volunteer and appointed work.
Slide 3: How has the current political climate impacted the American Dream? “I think democracy and access to the American Dream go hand in hand. The reason opportunity exists and people want to go to America is because of fairness. I do believe we have the best system,, even as imperfect as it is, it is still better than anywhere else. That being said, speaking from experience from what has been done to school boards…there have been death threats to local officials, people are quitting and people’s lives are being ruined. I think that is how democracy gets chipped away at. You don’t wake up one day and there is a revolution, it takes time for the system to be dismantled.
Slide 4: “To me, being an American is quintessentially both identities. Being able to trace your lineage back to the American Revolution and being a first generation American is to me synonymous, they are just at different points in history.” -R.
Slide 5: How does education impact the American Dream? “I Think opportunity is achieved through an excellent education system. I truly believe that education is what makes each person able to achieve their potential and achieve their dreams, then give back to the community so the next generation can do the same thing.”
R is…
- 50 Years-Old
- Female, Cisgender
- White
- Middle Eastern
- Middle Class