What's your story (or your family's story) about the American Dream?
CONTEST SPONSORED BY THE FORUM ON DEMOCRACY

 
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In preparing for the 2026 celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Forum on Democracy is sponsoring a contest, inviting communities to respond to the question, “What is your story (or your family’s story) about the American Dream?”

The intent of this contest is to create a community network of shared stories, reinvigorating community spirit and exploring what is meant by democracy. Democracy is a living conversation to explore old and new ideas; it is never static. Each generation must revisit this foundational idea of the American Experiment. This is one approach to revitalize a needed conversation on democracy and the environment in which we live.

The Forum on Democracy is a nonprofit, nonpartisan diverse group of individuals who have been asking some basic questions:

  • Who are we?

  • Why are we?

  • Where are we?

We are navigating difficult waters as we try to right our ship of state.

The phrase “The American Dream” was first used by historian James Adams in 1931. He described it as “that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement.”

This dream is drawn from the Declaration of Independence and the preamble to the U.S. Constitution, adapted over time to include the ideas of representative democracy, human rights, liberty, equality and freedom.

Times have changed; what are the stories about the American Dream today?

 
 

How do I enter the contest?

Click the link below to submit your response to the question, “What’s your story (or your family’s story) about the American Dream?” Your stories may be submitted in the form of words (a sentence, a paragraph or an essay of no more than 600 words), a video (no more than five minutes), art, music, audio or photography. Entries may be one of the following (PDF, DOC, JPG or PNG file formats preferred; up to 10MB):

Who can participate?

The contest is open to residents in the 50 states of the US. You must be 13 years of age or older to win. No purchase necessary.

What’s the deadline?

The deadline for submissions is Monday, June 19, 2023. We will begin accepting submissions in February 2023 as the contest is announced by our newspaper partners. Winners will be announced Tuesday, July 4, 2023. In the meantime, please review the contest rules before entering.

What are the awards?

First Place — $250
Second Place — $150
Third Place — $50

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"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has."
—Margaret Mead, American anthropologist (1901–1978)

 
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About The Forum

The Forum on Democracy is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization founded by a group of former government and academic experts who have been studying and discussing the state of America — how did we come to this state of affairs and are there ways to right our ship of state? A main concern of The Forum on Democracy is communication between our leaders and those they lead. The Founders believed in the wisdom of the American people and in the idea that their voice must be heard and heeded by those in power. Today, that voice is not being heard.

250 years after America's Declaration of Independence, what will we celebrate?

In three years, America will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of our Declaration of Independence. This unique document did more than announce our separation from a remote and despotic ruler. It also laid out ideas for a radically new form of government. Power in the new nation would be in the hands of its people, not its powerful. The people would set limits and boundaries on those who governed in their name. Its citizens would have the rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness that no government could infringe without their consent.

Despite skeptics and faults, that system has lasted two and a half centuries. But today America is plagued with problems: A deeply divided society, a shrinking middle class, massive distrust in our public institutions, a resurgence of violence and racism, and more. Our elected leaders often seem less interested in solving our problems than pandering to special interests so they can to get re-elected. They rarely seem to hear the voice of the people, which is muddled by the echo chambers of social media. The social compact built by the Founders is coming apart. The biggest threats to our democracy are internal.

Enter the contest! Join the national conversation.

The first step to start a national conversation is to solicit feedback from ordinary people, not politicians or the powerful — the “wisdom of the people” that the Founders believed in so deeply. We are doing this through a series of questions at the community level based on “The American Dream.”

The phrase, “The American Dream,” was first used by historian James Adams in 1931. He described it as “that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement.” This Dream is drawn from the Declaration of Independence and the preamble to the US Constitution, adapted over time to include the ideas of representative democracy, human rights, liberty, equality and freedom, meaning the chance for all people to achieve prosperity, success and upward social mobility through hard work in a society with few barriers.

Our first question is “What does the American Dream mean to you today? Is John Adams' belief in opportunity for each according to ability or achievement still valid?”

 
 

"The American Dream is a term that is often used but also often misunderstood. It isn’t really about becoming rich or famous. It is about things much simpler and more fundamental than that."
—Mark Rubio, United States Senator for Florida

 
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Contest Rules

We value original insights and clear communication. Submissions should be based on your own observations. Please carefully review the contest rules before entering. . Questions? Contact contest@theforum.us.org.

  1. Entries may be one of the following (PDF, DOC, JPG or PNG file formats preferred; up to 10MB):

  2. The contest is open to residents in the 50 states of the US.

  3. You must be 13 years of age or older to win. No purchase necessary. One entry per person.

  4. Entries must address the contest question.

  5. Participants must complete the official online entry form, which includes a stipulation that their entry is the participant’s original work and has not been published elsewhere.

  6. We will begin accepting submissions in February, 2023. The deadline for submissions is Friday, March 31, 2023. Entries must be submitted before midnight EST on the published deadline date.

  7. Winners will be announced May 15, 2023. The names of the winners will be posted on The Forum website along with the winning entries. Winners will be contacted before their names are posted on the website. Winners will be asked how they prefer to receive their awards.

  8. Judges selected by The Forum on Democracy will decide which entries are to receive special recognition or prizes determined by The Forum on Democracy. Winning entries will be judged based on how clear and compelling they are.

  9. Contest judging is conducted anonymously. Personal information about the contest participant must appear ONLY on the entry form and not on the work you submit. Make sure your software does not automatically put your name on each page or image.

  10. Contest participants grant The Forum on Democracy and Straus News, Inc. the right to publish entries on their websites, social media and in print.

  11. Entries that do not conform to these requirements or arrive after the deadline will be disqualified.

 
 
 
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