When actor Ke Huy Quan accepted the “Best Supporting Actor” Oscar for his role in "Everything Everywhere All At Once," which also netted a “Best Actress” win for his co-star Michelle Yeoh, he talked about coming to America in a boat and spending a year in a refugee camp.
Even after appearing alongside Harrison Ford in “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” as a child, Quan struggled to find work in Hollywood and became discouraged because of the lack of real roles for actors of Asian descent - but now he has won an Oscar and says he is living the "American Dream."
The speech was a reminder that the "American Dream" is possible for everyone. Hearing Quan talk about living the "American Dream" made me think that too many Americans think they are entitled to the "American Dream," and that it is somehow guaranteed.
We know better, even as some of our fellow Americans seem to forget - the "American Dream" is only possible for those who are willing to work for it. There is no free lunch here.
And it's 2023 - how do you define the "American Dream?"
