The Dream Advisors
Have you ever been asked the question, what do you want to be when you grow up?
My grandfather always told me that woodcarving held special significance in our family history. We had whittler blood, a tendency to turn an everyday item into a useful thing. Although I’ve searched online and have yet to find any significant connection between slaves and the origins of woodcarving, my grandfather claims with pride that wooden folk art was invented by the darker skinned people of history.
So, I thought I’d be a carpenter to preserve my grandfather’s ancient desires for me. I imagined all the things I could create, like tables or chairs, utensils or other knick knacks. I envisioned making little toys for children and selling them for free, or making life-sized sculptures or maybe some funny things; Regardless, I was excited to pursue a future in woodcarving, because my grandpa would be proud of me.
But I didn’t know how to whittle. My grandpa never could do it, he had arthritis in all sorts of different parts in his body. My far out dream began to fade into a different reality. Grandpa, am I letting you down? I justified my answer knowing there was nothing I could do to manipulate my future. I probably wouldn’t have made enough money anyways. Maybe I’ll just become a doctor like all my friends. So, as many people do, I put my grandpa’s dream over on the bookshelf and let it dust all over, never to be considered again.
Until a few years later, during my senior year of high school, I saw a YouTube ad for a local organization called The Dream Advisors. Developing off of the trade school ideology, this non-profit provides support for aspiring artists and assists in making their dreams come true. Having never really heard of them before, I would later learn that it wasn’t until recently that their organization became well known. Eventually, I would learn that in order to accomplish such a drastic task, Jackson Pristal needed to invest nearly all his income into the Dream Advisors vision. A $21.2B donation. What resulted was the media taking Pristal’s move by storm. Some people ridiculed his donation, others were delighted by it, yet despite the public’s opinion, the Dream Advisors were receiving publicity. Yet, after several days of silence, Jackson Pristal’s long awaited remark on Twitter expressed…
I’ve had countless dreams in the past, yet somehow I still have yet to achieve one of them. I hope that maybe my dream can help someone else achieve their own, and maybe just maybe that might satisfy me.
A few days after the publication, Jackson Pristal was found lifeless at his dining room table under the gruesome headline “Pristal Has No More Dreams to Think About.”
Some speculated suicide, others murder, yet the one thing that I do know is that every Dream Advisor is required to share the Pristal Legacy. The tragic story of the unfulfilled dream. Yet, the result was an organization dedicated to fulfilling Pristal’s prophecy, to help young students achieve their dreams. Thus, whether driven by guilt, greed, or other possibilities, companies, colleges, and other big names began to consider the vision that Pristal laid out for them. Essentially, he spurred the growth of the Dream Advisors, yet my Dream Advisor told me to not look too deeply into the Pristal Legacy.
My advisor’s name was Andre Bastoson, and he looked like me. He claimed that he’s been advising long before the Pristal eulogy, and unlike many of the other advisors, his only mission was to help support me in hopes of converting my dream into reality. Regardless of how much money I might make, regardless of what other people might think, regardless of how skilled I might already be, Andre didn’t care about the donation, he didn’t care about the money, the only priority within his job was finding a way to help me. He warned that this path isn’t going to be easy, but if I was willing to pursue it, he’ll be right there beside me.
So, glancing over at my parents, I anticipated denial, but seeing no resistance I took grandpa’s words off the shelf and told him, “I want to be a woodworker!”
Thus, what followed was what many Dream Advisors describe as the best part of the job. With a twinkle in his eye and a warm empowering grin, Andre reached out his hand and returned a jovial, “Let’s get to it then!”
After some heavy research, we mutually decided to try out Walker Academy Institute for the Arts. If it didn’t feel right, I was always welcome to let Andre know. Receiving my parent’s approval, I finished the summer feeling empowered and hopeful for my fall experience. Yet, I still had a long way to go, because I knew little to nothing about wood carving.
Occasionally, I’d watch some videos or do some research on wood or knives, but I constantly would consider if I was in over my head. What are you doing? You aren’t cut out for this, but Andre would always make it clear that he’s supporting me, andt it will work out.
So, as I entered my first semester at Walker, I was both excited yet tentative to see where this road might take me.
And on the first day of classes, I witnessed firsthand how challenging this dream would be. My teacher, Dr. Veronica Goya, asked us the one thing that I was dreading, to demonstrate any preexisting skills that we have in woodcarving. Immediately, my classmates shot around the room and prepared to demonstrate their worthy abilities. Innocently, I aimlessly walked around, and tried to blend in with the crowd. I scanned over the equipment and almost cut my finger off trying to look busy. I could feel the inaudible judgment from my classmates, and I began to affirm that I wasn’t cut out for this. Defeated, I asked my Professor if I could “use the restroom,” but as soon as I exited the door, she seemed to have followed me.
“You’re Andre’s student right? It’s a pleasure to meet you”
Taken aback by this strange encounter, I couldn’t construct a response for her inquiry.
“Andre and I go way back, so truly it’s an honor to be seeing his fruit. He’s told me some brief things about you, but I was incredibly inspired by your performance out there. Very rarely are people willing to pursue a passion that is completely out of their comfort zone.”
Unsure if this was a compliment or an insult, her words slowly began to sink deep.
“To be honest with you, I have always dreamt of becoming a scuba diver, but after waiting too long, and raising three children, that dream of mine is bound to fantasy. Yet, I’m encouraged to see the potential you have! From what Andre has told me, I believe you’ll be a terrific addition to this class. Plus, the people who know things make my job irrelevant, if you need anything, don’t be afraid to ask me!”
The next thing you know, my teacher was back in the room. I stood in the hall speechless. Did I actually do something right? I could somehow rest easy knowing that my attempts at carving were good enough. It seemed okay to struggle, because every time I stumbled I was reminded that the Professor was on my team.
As a couple weeks passed, I inadvertently tested the weight of that hypothesis. One day we were given the assignment to construct a chair out of oak wood. Testing out my product, Professor Goya nearly split her head open as the legs and arms gave way to her support. Flooded by laughter, my professor shot off the ground relatively unfazed, then recommended that I come back later in the day for some extra help.
Initially assuming that “extra help” was the last thing a student wanted to participate in, these assumptions were quickly uprooted when I was greeted by four or five other students, some homemade rice crispy treats, and the sounds of American Rhythm and Blues. Again, I felt like my prejudices were being lifted. Was I supposed to have fun in extra help? In an hour's time, I managed to construct a working chair.
Thus, after seeing the benefits of the extra help sessions, I quickly ended up becoming a regular attendee. Professor Goya was able to assist me in my specific areas of need, and in no time at all, I was probably one of the most skilled students in the classroom. And part of me might make the argument that 90% of my skills were developed within the extra help sessions. My teacher would even joke around with us that if you go to all the help sessions you’re guaranteed an A, and of course no one could prove her wrong because everyone attending the sessions were unsurprisingly equipped with the tools needed to be successful.
Thus, by creating this atmosphere, Professor Goya reiterated the fact that it’s okay to struggle with something. Whether someone has been studying for a month, or has been studying for four years, the major point of significance in my Professor’s eyes was whether or not her students were improving. Her motto was always, a win for you is a win for me, and within her classroom we were a family. If anyone in our family was going through something, we were obligated to be accountable and support them through any means necessary.
So, when I finally was skilled enough and graduated from Walker Academy, I couldn’t help but think that as much as I became a certified carpenter and woodsmith, I also learned the essential skills behind what it takes to motivate and support people to follow their dreams.
Like Andre, Veronica Goya is also a Dream Advisor. She was crucial to my development, and I think that’s why I want to become I Dream Advisor too.
*****
That is how I imagine your story.
Yes, it might be sloppy and maybe a bit clique, it definitely isn’t Le Guin or Jemisin, but I wrote it because you encouraged me to. As much as I’ll try to discredit my own work, I’ll keep writing because you keep supporting me. Every time I expect failure, you manage to create grace in ways that help me improve. All of your advising has significantly helped me far exceed my dreams, so thanks for always pushing me.
Yet, as expected, every relationship at one point or another is forced to end. With sincerest sadness, I’m extremely disappointed to be graduating this year. None of my achievements would be possible without you. Maybe one day I might even advise someone on my own, but for now all I can do is express my gratitude. You’ve sacrificed so much and I am so grateful for the love and support that persists within you. As long as I’m writing, I’ll be reminded of you! Thank you Dream Advisor, continue being you!
Why I Wrote “The Dream Advisors”
I wrote this fictional short story primarily as a means to redevelop my own understanding of creativity and imagination. Therefore, Black Radical Tradition is a theoretical framework centered around the ability to persevere despite what the world is throwing at you. Historically, my ancestors “had every reason to give in to despair. Yet they somehow managed to survive, to extend recognition and respect to each other while in bondage, and maintain a commitment to the linked fate of all humans” (Lipsitz, 2020). Thus, as an African American, this tradition and tendency is supposed to live within me.
Yet, I use the word “supposed to” as a means of mentioning how difficult it is to resist the sorrowful circumstances and always look at the positive. This may be one of the biggest limitations that I personally see in this theory. Personally, many times I find it incredibly difficult to maintain strength and seeming immunity against conflict. Black Radical Tradition can be incredibily tiring, because this tradition is in the minority within America. Therefore, I think this framework holds incredible relevance in context to the current climate at UMass Amherst.
In context of embracing minority culture, two racist emails were sent out specifically in hopes of destroying black tradition. Within the second email the source’s major demand was for black people to “assimilate to American society and stop being jungle bunnies” (Steward, 2022). In other words, this demand is asking for black people to stop embracing their culture and tradition. Assimilating to the rest of the world is the inverse of Black Radical Tradition and Imagination. When you assimilate to foregin cultures, it’s almost as if you’re sacrificing your own traditions and dreams. Thus, the reason why I wrote this story was the fact that my tradition and imagination were in jeopardy.
Specifically, I felt a growing inability to hope and vision, after facing so many circumstances, and as an English major, this particularly presented itself through a difficulty I faced when writing fiction. Consequently, I would develop a tendency to just avoid the fictional genre, because I didn’t believe that I could create or imagine anything of value. (After reading this back, does it not alarm you, hearing the powerlessness and danger that exists in that mindset?) Yet, after reading about Black Radical Tradition and Imagination, I was greatly reminded that there’s power through imagination, and the importance that imagining has because “the very act of trying to look ahead to discern possibilities and offer warnings is in itself an act of hope” (Butler, 2000).
So, as sloppy my fiction may be, I decided to incorporate a combination of a Black Radical Tradition and Social Science Fiction, through a reimagining of the school system. Simply by attempting to write this, this is my way of preserving hope. I hope that this story can challenge people to consider the responsibilities that they might have, if they accept the label of being a Dream Advisor; Because you may never know how significant your support might be for people in the future.
References
Butler, O. (2000, May). A few rules for predicting the future. Common Good Collective. Retrieved May 8, 2022, from https://commongood.cc/reader/a-few-rules-for-predicting-the-future-by-octavia-e-butler/
Jemisin, N. K., (2018). The ones who stay and fight. How Long Til Black Future Month. Lightspeed Magazine. Retrieved May 8, 2022, from https://www.lightspeedmagazine.com/fiction/the-ones-who-stay-and-fight/
Le Guin, U. (2016). The ones who walk away from omellas. The wind's twelve quarters: Short stories. Houston Community College. Retrieved May 8, 2022, from https://learning.hccs.edu/faculty/emily.klotz/engl1302-6/readings/the-ones-who-walk-away-from-omelas-ursula-le-guin/view
Lipsitz, G. (2022). What is this black in the black radical tradition? Versobooks.com. Retrieved May 8, 2022, from https://www.versobooks.com/blogs/4766-what-is-this-black-in-the-black-radical-tradition
Steward, Z. [zstewie2219] (2022, May 4). TW: racism // Damn the hate is real. Received this email a few hours ago, and honestly it's unsurprising these ugly [Photograph]. Instagram. Retrieved May 8, 2022, from https://www.instagram.com/p/CdHSxdXso4b/
