"Our cultural diversity has most certainly shaped our national character."
By Julie Bishop
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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.
- Do you think America is a homogenous nation? If so, how do you explain cultural diversity?
- Should immigrants assimilate into American belief systems? Please elaborate.
Cultural Diversity is and will be part and parcel of us.That is where we are moving forward to.We may not be prepared but its here and we will be getting into it further and further.Lets take a look at globalization,that is what this is all about.We are becoming one global village where trade and commerce is possible with the advent of internet.Soon i am sure some of us will seek employment in foreign lands after years of job hunting,that is just the really of things to come although we do not want to accept it,this will be part of divesity.I am glad that most employers offer Diversiy Trainings so as to get to know other communities.Travelling abroad has really opened up my eyes and changed my perception about other communities.In a nutshell as immigrants assimilate into American system,Americans assiilate into other parts of the world that they move to,its versa versa,both ways.
ReplyDeleteInteresting comment! We are indeed becoming more global. It is imperative that we understand other cultures and attempt to bridge the gap in our differences. In a nutshell, we need to become citizens of the world because of globalization. This is why I encourage celebrating diversity as opposed to eradicating it.
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