Maryam Zafer (Dartmouth) on American Values

Americans are united by a common set of ideals, not values. While theory can inform general ideals, experience creates personal values. Our ideals are grounded in the theoretical framework of the Constitution. We aspire to live in a society that promotes liberty, equality and justice for all. We hope that church is separate from our state, that the work place is a meritocracy and that all people can live the American dream. Individuals’ values are different because their experiences dictate what ideals they value more or less. For example, while Americans with consensus consider equality an ideal, a child from an inner city school will value equality of education more than a child from a well-funded school will. We value most what it is that we directly experience. An individual who experiences inequality values equality highly because he has been made aware of the discomfort and hardship associated with a lack of it. Americans take for granted privileges afforded to them if their liberties have not been curtailed. While we may all strive toward a similar America grounded on Constitutional ideals, we do not all equally understand the important of these ideals. The extent to which we value an ideal America is contingent on our direct experience.