Cultural Diversity

"Our cultural diversity has most certainly shaped our national character."

By Julie Bishop

C

ulture is defined as the acquired behavioral patterns of a particular group over a time span (e.g. social, ethnic, and/or religious groups). It is also the shared characteristics or values of a particular group. Whereas cultural diversity is based on the premise that various cultural values from different social, ethnic, religious, and age groups should be celebrated rather than eradicated. Cultural diversity discourages homogenization of cultures. It also advocates respect for other cultures other than our own.

The United States is essentially a culturally diverse nation. People of various cultural backgrounds reside in the US. Many use the melting pot theory to explain cultural diversity in America. This theory is based on the idealism that many people from various cultures and belief immigrate to the United States and assimilate into American Society; their various cultures and values melt together as a whole and America becomes a homogeneous society. According to David Brooks, a columnist for the New York Times, The United States is a diverse nation when considered as a whole; however, communities by communities, it is relatively a homogeneous nation. In an article entitled "People Like Us," published in The Atlantic Monthly, Brooks contends that "We all pay lip service to the melting pot, but we really prefer the congealing pot." In other words, we as Americans are not as diverse as we may like to think because we make strenuous efforts to group ourselves with people who share similar values.

Many Americans, on the other hand, use the salad bowl theory to explain the different cultures and subcultures that coexist within the United States. The salad bowl theory encompasses that various cultures come together like mixed ingredients in a salad bowl. Those cultures do not become one as in the melting pot theory but each ingredient complements each other and they are juxtaposed. Their differences are celebrated rather than eradicated.

For more information on this topic, please watch this YouTube video segment on cultural diversity. Also, feel free to let your voice be heard. You may answer the questions below or leave your own comments and suggestions. Remember, your feedback is always welcome.  

1. Do you think America is a homogenous nation? If so, how do you explain cultural diversity?
2. Should immigrants assimilate into American belief systems? Please elaborate.

Race Factor in America

"Rise above sectional interests and private ambitions... pass from matter to spirit. Matter is diversity; spirit is light, life and unity."

Muhammad Iqbal

 

Recap: 
Last week, I provided some facts on the racial makeup of America. I also included a YouTube video segment on racial identity and briefly discussed how racial identity is perceived and promulgated in American culture. At the end of the blog, I asked a series of questions in the hope of generating a heartfelt discussion. One of the questions that I asked was, how is race important to your sense of self? This question endeavored to understand the role that race plays in our lives as Americans.  

As for me, race does not define who I am. Although I may identify with being black and of Haitian ancestry, I am more than the color of my skin. I am more than what meets the eyes. I am an intriguing person. I am an aspiring writer, a sister, a daughter, a lover and a friend. Race does not define me, but complements me. It strengthens my sense of self because of the prejudices that I endure. I understand that those who came before me had to endure racial discrimination and I must endure as well.

For further reading on this topic, please visit: http://www.diversitybestpractices.com/news-articles/gen-y-post-racial. 

This post discusses Gen Yers' take on race and ethnicity in American Society. It explains that unlike the previous generation, race does not play an insuperable role in the lives of Gen Yers albeit racism is still prevalent in American society today.

1.      Is race still a factor in American society today? Please explain.

2.      How do you cope with racism?

3.      Do you think that Gen Y is Post-Racial? Please elaborate.