Personal Narrative: My American Dream

I am the only member of my family born in the United States. My parents, brother, and sister immigrated after the anti-Sikh riots of 1984, where thousands were murdered as India descended into nationalistic bloodshed. My own father nearly died: he was pulled off a train by an armed mob, beaten unconscious, and left for dead on the tracks. Shortly thereafter, he gathered everything he had and brought his family to Iowa City. That violence left scars on my father’s body, and it lit a fire in my soul: a desire to live free, and to help create a world where others have freedom.
When my family arrived in America, they had $65 in cash. But with my parents’ determination, education, and work ethic—and the opportunities this country provided—that was plenty. I grew up in a comfortable home, received a stellar education, worked at the White House, and even played drums for a full house at Lincoln Center. This is the storybook American Dream. And I am, in many ways, a cliché American. I’m a kid from Buffalo who loves chicken wings; a New Yorker who loves the Yankees; and don’t even get me started on Beyoncé. Like thousands of other Americans, I also happen to sport a beard and a turban. My …show more content…
I must do my best to preempt it. In collaboration with the Department of Justice, I founded Project Identity, a mentorship program for young adults on probation in Harlem. With a diverse group of students from Columbia University, we cook and share meals, volunteer together, and discuss our future aspirations. We have received thousands of dollars in funding and over 25 young adults have participated; yet, the most rewarding aspect of founding Project Identity is seeing the transformation in the individuals we serve. We help people like Latisha, a young, talented girl left jobless because of her criminal record who dreams of owning a small business. With her mentor’s guidance, Latisha is now preparing for the GRE. I could not be more