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THE AMERICAN DREAM
To The Best of Our Knowledge
from Wisconsin Public Radio
Despite the refinancing frenzy, the American Dream
isn't about real estate. It means being free to make a new life
for yourself. Regardless of the place or the circumstances of your
birth. In this hour of To the Best of Our Knowledge, we celebrate
the American Dream. We'll meet a man who followed it from a refugee-camp
in Africa to Harvard University. And, an Arab-American woman who
wonders if the American Dream still includes her community.
SEGMENT 1:
Sarah Eltantawi, Communications Director
of the Muslim Public Affairs Council in Los Angeles, talks with
Anne Strainchamps on what life has been like for Arab-Americans
since 9-11. She says what attracts Arab immigrants is the rule
of law in the U.S. and fears that her community is experiencing
an erosion of the right to equal protection under the law. Also,
historian Jim Cullen talks with Jim Fleming about the various
versions of the American Dream: freedom, equality, upward mobility,
home ownership and the good life. His book is "The American
Dream: A Short History of An Idea That Shaped A Nation."
SEGMENT 2:
 |
Jazz musician Ben Sidran talks with
Jim Fleming about the tremendous influence Jewish immigrant
composers and songwriters had on American popular music. Sidran
singles out the work of Irving Berlin, citing classics like
"White Christmas," "Alexander's Ragtime Band,"
and "God Bless America." He says even with some
anti-Semitism, America was vastly better than the world these
Jews had left behind. And we hear lots of music. |
SEGMENT 3:
Mawi Asgedom fled the civil war in Ethiopia
and spent part of his childhood in a refugee camp in Sudan. Later,
his family was able to emigrate to America. Mawi triumphed, eventually
giving the commencement address at his Harvard graduation. But
his father had a much harder time adjusting. Mawi Asgedom tells
his story to Steve Paulson, and in a book called "Of Beetles
and Angels."
Cassette copies are available
at 1-800-747-7444. Ask for program number 03-04-13-A.
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Books:
- Mawi Asgedom, Of Beetles & Angels: A
Boy's Remarkable Journey from a Refugee Camp to Harvard (Little
Brown)
- Jim Cullen, The American Dream: A Short
History of an Idea That Shaped a Nation (Oxford)
Music:
Distribution dates:
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Questions and comments can
be addressed to: flemingj@wpr.org
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