The American Dream: A Vanishing Reality?

In 1955, a baby was born in San Francisco to Joanne Schieble and Abdul Fattah Jandali, a Syrian immigrant. Born out of wedlock and placed for adoption, his life hardly began with the privileges we often associate with success. But back then, America believed in second chances—in the power of opportunity, regardless of origin or circumstance.

That baby’s adoptive parents named him Steve. The world would come to know him as Steve Jobs, the visionary who co-founded Apple, revolutionized technology, and transformed the way we live.

But the final words of this image hit hard:

“That couldn’t happen again in today’s America.”

The Changing Landscape of Opportunity

The America that allowed a child of immigrants to thrive—despite humble beginnings—is not the same America we see today. Immigration policies are more restrictive, economic mobility is shrinking, and the very idea of giving second chances seems to be under attack.

Would Steve Jobs, born under the same circumstances today, have been given the opportunity to change the world?

Would his father have even been allowed into the country?

Would his adoptive parents have been able to support his education in a time when higher learning is increasingly out of reach for working-class families?

America at a Crossroads

The story of Steve Jobs is a testament to what America once was—a place where talent, ambition, and resilience could thrive regardless of background. But this story also serves as a warning about what America risks losing.

We must ask ourselves:

• Are we still a nation that embraces potential rather than fearing difference?
• Do we still believe in second chances for those born into difficult circumstances?
• Are we still the land of opportunity, or have we closed the door behind those who made it?

Steve Jobs’ story is proof of what can happen when a nation believes in its people. But if we don’t protect that belief, the next Steve Jobs might never get the chance.

What do you think—could this story still happen today? Let’s discuss in the comments.