A commonly known phrase is 'America is like a melting pot', meaning everyone comes together. However, people may think this means everyone will be the same, which was not the point of the phrase. We were told to make our own quote which gives the same idea as the melting pot. What I find funny is this person who said, 'America is like a trash can'.
So in your guy's opinion, what would you compare America to?
Actually, I think the phrase is appropriate. The purpose of America, if it had such, was really about creating a country. Countries tend to gravitate towards a certain culture. If you observe history, you'll find that a majority of cultures, if given the choice, have encouraged their children to become more American, rather than hanging on to past cultures.
The current wave of Hispanic immigrants is really the first, to my knowledge, to hold to the idea that America should be more of a stew and less of a soup. African-Americans don't really count, as they didn't have much choice, in the main, about their immigration, but even there, there is less a longing for African cultures to be recaptured, and more of a drive to create a new, unified culture, hopefully compatible or integrated with the majority American culture.
Even in the first lines of the Declaration of Independence; "all men are created equal", serves to promote a commonality of culture. Hence, now, even though my last name is French, I don't hesitate to associate with people with Irish and Italian ancestors, and I can freely admit to a Scottish ancestor. My grandmother, who was born in the 1920s, went absolutely batshit when the Scottish ancestor was brought up, because she hadn't been introduced to that melting effect.
For one, I think a certain homogeneity of culture is a good thing, it cements our relationship as citizens, and gives us a sense of duty and responsiblity to one another, one that would not be present were America a large conglomeration of distinct cultures.
Although, the trash can statement does reflect our government rather well...
America for me is like italian salad dressing. When you look at most italian salad dressing it seperated different layers: oil, vineger, and spices. America is very much divided by race and status. By the haves and the have nots. Sure there are some people that can look past those thing and truly blend, just as the different layers of italian salad dressing blend at the edges where two layers meet.
Just like with italian salad dressing if you shake Americans up we come together. Just take a look at the aftermath of 9/11 or Katrina because at the end of the day we are not just layers of people seperated by race and status but Americans *American flags wave in the background while "Proud to be an American" plays.*
I believe that American is a "large conglomeration of distinct cultures"....well not cultures but sub-cultures. Let go back to my italian salad dressing. The difference between the oil in the salad dressing and just plain oil is that it is in side the bottle. Even if you take the oil out of the bottle it will never be the same as oil that has never been it the bottle. It is hard to explain but so is American culture.
Also by culture I am using this definition of the word
Quote:
The predominating attitudes and behavior that characterize the functioning of a group or organization.
America is like... -
04-17-2008, 09:23 PM
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