By Jacinda Hall
The Wichita Journalism Collaborative will host a fundraiser event on May 26 at Roxy’s Downtown on the topic of “Testing the American Dream,” which will be the focus of The Journal print edition.
“It (the topic) just seems very timely with the 250th birthday celebration coming up for the country as well as the midterm elections,” Journal Executive Editor Chris Green said. “Talking about the American dream in an environment where people are raising lots of questions about it as well as talking about what it means to different people, this just makes it a really timely moment to begin looking deeply into this topic and trying to get our arms around and understand.”
Green says that this topic seems to extend from The Journal’s coverage of housing over the past couple of years because housing is a fundamental part of the American dream, but it feels narrow at the same time.
“It might not be top of mind for everybody, but this feels more inclusive that everyone has a piece of the American dream that they might be thinking about,” Green said. “By focusing on this topic, we could give people a chance to think more deeply about it.”
Wichita Journalism Collaborative Manager Kathy Lefler said that she hopes the event will give people a chance to reflect on a time in their life when their faith in the American dream was tested and how they responded.
“I’m hoping that as they hear from our storytellers, that they will understand different experiences of people who live in the community, who are their neighbors,” Lefler said. “I think we’re kind of in a place right now where we don’t all have the same American dream, and I think it’s going to be a great opportunity for us to hear different American dreams and to see just how beautiful and diverse our country is, the people who live here and what their dreams are.”
Green says a goal he has with the Journal’s print issue is getting the dialogue around the topic right and getting people engaged around the conversation of the American dream.
“One of the reasons we’re excited about this event that’s coming up is it gives people a chance to start thinking about it, having conversations and taking those conversations deeper,” Green said. “Finding those sorts of examples are going to be really important in the months to come and we won’t know for sure what we’re going to be publishing until we know more about what this should be.”
Green hopes that those who attend the event are interested and curious in the stories, not just told on stage, but stories in the community, including in their family or stories of their own.
“Oftentimes, we talk about it as this distant concept or something that is fixed,” Green said “But it seems like, from the people that I’ve talked to in the lead up to this, that it’s very personal and that people have very different definitions and that it might be interesting to create community dialogue around what are those stories of the American dream and what are the similarities and differences between them.”
During the event, Lefler said that there will be a facilitated time for attendees to reflect and talk about their American dream.
“I’m hoping that it gives people who are attending an opportunity to kind of dig deep,” she said. “And not just think that the American dream is the same thing for everybody, and to hear from others around them about their American dreams.”
This is a new event for the Wichita Journalism Collaborative and one Lefler is excited for.
“This one stands out a little bit in one way, in that it’s a fundraiser for the Wichita Journalism Collaborative,” she said. “And I want everybody to know that they don’t have to donate to attend and participate. I don’t want that to be a barrier for anybody, but we’re hoping that if people are able, we’re asking for a suggested donation of $25.”
Lefler said the donations will support the work of the Wichita Journalism Collaborative going forward, help with planning and hosting events, support the WJC internship program and provide funding for freelance writers.
She also said that she is excited about the speakers that the collaborative has lined up.
“I think they each represent different aspects of our community here in Wichita,” Lefler said. “I really appreciate that they’re taking the time. This is a lot of work for them; they are preparing what they’re going to say and they’re going to speak from the heart.”
Registration is encouraged to ensure the amount of space for those attending. You can register for the event here.
Jacinda Hall is a Wichita writer and frequent contributor to the Wichita Journalism Collaborative.