Code Switch Is the American dream a scam?
Sep 24, 2025
Edgar Gomez, a memoirist and author of Alligator Tears, shares his rich experiences growing up poor and queer in Florida. He discusses the contradictions of the American dream, revealing the hustles he engaged in, like selling bootleg CDs and navigating timeshare tours for theme-park tickets. Gomez reflects on class anxiety and challenges the notion of wealth as a measure of success. He also touches on the importance of community and identity, particularly his connection to Orlando's Pulse nightclub.
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Bootleg CD Hustle At The Flea Market
- Edgar and his brother sold bootleg CDs at flea markets by burning discs and hand-drawing covers to save money.
- They used their youth and charm to convince buyers despite the shady setup.
Timeshare Tours For Free Theme-Park Tickets
- Edgar's family sat through timeshare presentations to get free theme-park tickets and then left without buying.
- They treated the timeshare pitches as a transactional chore to access experiences they couldn't otherwise afford.
Hustle Costing Community
- Hustling toward a future payout cost Edgar present relationships and community during his push to publish.
- After his first book deal paid very little, he had to reassess the value of sacrificing friendships for imagined wealth.
