A Comparison and Contrast of American Values.
The American culture is characterized by republicanism which primarily governs the administration system. The large American population is the source of diversity since many individuals from different backgrounds are all united under the same flag, the American flag. Despite the degree of diversity in culture in America, citizens are always united under the same rules regulations and legislations. Therefore, there are common traits and values common amongst American citizens; these shared values are the source of American unity. However, not all common values reflect an individual`s personal values, which may differ depending on various factors such as background and culture.
Bellah et al. (2007)
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Racial segregation is slowly being curbed, but time is fundamental to eradicate racism completely (Kiteki, 2011). Although equity is yet to be attained at a personal level, the state has ensured the laws treat all citizens equally as Americans.
Businesses thrive in America due to the previously established entrepreneurial culture which has overseen innovators and inventors shock the world with innovations that are converted into profitable ventures. One common value in American legislation and individuals is open mindedness and result oriented mindsets (Clothier, 2016)..
The American culture is set up on values that may be contemporary or long lasting. It is important for citizens to develop desirable personal values in order to generate positivity at a communal level. Values such as individualism and entrepreneurship require other values to benefit the society. Numerous values define the American citizen, but it is of great significance for a citizen to develop positive traits that can be taken into the workforce and contribute in making America great through collective responsibility determined by individual
Whenever an author is creating an argument, they must appeal to whatever grabs his or her selected audience’s attention.When given the topic of Michael Fay, an 18 year old American citizen who was punished in Singapore for vandalism by being caned, two sources appealed to their audience in two contrasting ways. In “Time to Assert American Values,” published by The New York Times, the author tries to capture his or her audience by stirring up emotion. In “Rough Justice: A Caning in Singapore Stirs up a Fierce Debate about Crime and Punishment,” Alejandro Reyes presents factual evidence throughout the entire article to support his claims. After carefully analyzing both texts, it is apparent that Alejandro Reyes gives a more convincing and sufficient
For 75 years following reconstruction the United States made little advancement towards racial equality. Many parts of the nation enacted Jim Crowe laws making separation of the races not just a matter of practice but a matter of law. The laws were implemented with the explicit purpose of keeping black American’s from being able to enjoy the rights and freedoms their white counterparts took for granted. Despite the efforts of so many nameless forgotten heroes, the fate of African Americans seemed to be in the hands of a racist society bent on keeping them down; however that all began to change following World War II. Thousands of African American men returned from Europe with a renewed purpose and determined to break the proverbial chains segregation had keep them in since the end of the American Civil War. With a piece of Civil Rights legislation in 1957, the federal government took its first step towards breaking the bonds that had held too many citizens down for far too long. The Civil Rights Act of 1957 was a watered down version of the law initially proposed but what has been perceived as a small step towards correcting the mistakes of the past was actually a giant leap forward for a nation still stuck in the muck of racial division. What some historians have dismissed as an insignificant and weak act was perhaps the most important law passed during the nation’s civil rights movement, because it was the first and that cannot be underestimated.
Lasting hatred from the civil war, and anger towards minorities because they took jobs in the north probably set the foundation for these laws, but it has become difficult to prove. In this essay, I will explain how the Separate but Equal Laws of twentieth century America crippled minorities of that time period forever. Separate but Equal doctrine existed long before the Supreme Court accepted it into law, and on multiple occasions it arose as an issue before then. In 1865, southern states passed laws called “Black Codes,” which created restrictions on the freed African Americans in the South. This became the start of legal segregation as juries couldn’t have African Americans, public schools became segregated, and African Americans had restrictions on testifying against majorities.
In 1896 the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the law of racial segregation in public. It was known as separate but equal. Yet one cannot be equal, because Cauca...
Although discrimination against minorities, such as Latinos, Asians, and Native Americans exists, residential segregation is imposed on African-Americans at a highly sustained level, more than any other racial or ethnic group in American society. “Blacks continue to live apart from whites; of all minorities, blacks are most segregated from whites. ‘They are also more segregated from whites than any other ethnic group has ever been segregated. The most well-off blacks find themselves more segregated than even the poorest Hispanics’” (Swain 214). Thus, it is evident that segregation imposed upon African-Americans subsists at a level that is not comparable to that experience by other minorities.
Another trait expresses itself in Americans’ respect each other. Most American’s are in the same situation, and the great divide between rich and poor as seen in Europe is absent. Hardworking people who mind their own business while also being friendly and hospitable create an atmosphere of unity. Any man can be independent and own his
The American Self is the common character and values of American people which evolved depending on governmental philosophy, religious belief, and economical aspiration from beginning of its formation to the present. Any of the change in the above factors would contribute to the evolution of the American Self. Over time, the American Self changed from communalism, whole hearted religious faith, and interest in material goods to individualism, self interests, and greed.
Imagine living in a world where your culture is not primarily dominant, and other individuals do not identify as the equal to you. Existing with a diverse set of populations, America has become a melting pot of various cultures; each one existing uniquely in its own respect; no two cultures are similar. Culture distinguishes one societal group from another through beliefs, behaviors, language, traditions, art, food, and religion, and politics. Patterns of behavior and thinking have been shaped through culture by the continually, altering process of learning, creativity, and thinking, which differs among females and males. The purpose of culture is so profound that it creates every aspect of who and what individuals are, producing an identity for oneself. Thus, the cultural environment an individual matures in is very crucial to their identity.
One noticeable cultural difference between the society pictured in this chapter and our American society seems to be a collectivist ideology. In America we value the individual and place emphasis on distinction from the group. This causes a strong sense of competition, and leads people to take actions that would benefit themselves in spite of negative effects that may trickle to other members of the community. The culture pictured in our reading, however, seems to place greater value on family and community goals rather than the needs or wants of specific individuals.
Legal segregation may have ended more than 50 years ago, but in many parts of the country Americans of different races are not neighbors. According to a recent State University of New York at Stony Brook census ranks Long Island as the third most racially segregated suburban region in the country, behind the suburbs of Newark and Cleveland. America learned a long time ago that separate is not equal. Racial uprising in U.S. cities in the late 1960s revealed what many blacks already knew, the country was moving toward two different society. One black and one white, separate and unequal.
Cunningham, Lawrence S., and John J. . Reich. Culture and Values. 7th ed. Vol. 1. Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth, 2006. Print.
In her article “Why Racial Integration Remains an Imperative,” Elizabeth Anderson claims that integration is the only solution to the problems created by segregation, particularly between blacks and whites. Referencing her book The Imperative of Integration, she provides evidence to show why other methods are ineffective in eliminating racial disparities. In his “Comment on Elizabeth Anderson’s The Imperative of Integration,” Ronald Sundstrom critiques this view by suggesting an alternative method to combat segregation. He proposes that local solidarity will eventually lead to the type of inclusion envisioned by Anderson. However, Anderson provides ample support within her article to refute this critique and show the necessity of integration.
American political culture is exceptional because of three very important core values: Liberty, Equality and Self-Government.
Your values form the foundation of your entire life. From infancy, children are shaped by the people they are closest to such as parents, siblings, and authoritative figures. These people teach beliefs and behaviors. Personal values also develop through experience and surroundings. Each individual is uniquely molded through nature and nurture. Our values are something which we develop through life; they can change over time and may be influenced by our families, culture, religious beliefs, and of course the media. Personal values develop through experience and development, they impact our personal lives as well as our professional lives. Everyone adds their own meaning to life. You are the one who selected your own beliefs and values but
Understanding who we are as individuals can be a struggle for people throughout life. It can be difficult to comprehend who we are and why we exist. There are daily outside influences that help create who we are and what our values are. Values play a significant role in our lives. They shape the choices we make and reveal a big part of our identity to the world. Some values may be more important than others, but they still manage to influence our lives in one way or another, whether we know it or not. Values can range from a tangible item to an idea that has influenced us to stand by and remember those values. The values we hold with the highest importance act as a guide and help us prioritize our purpose and goals in our daily life. My family has taught me a list of values and traits that have helped me become a well-rounded individual. I value my family more than anything because most of my core inner values have started from their teachings at one point or another. My top values that I have developed from my family are dedication, honesty, and wisdom. I will discuss who I am in terms of the important values that shape my personal belief system and decision making framework that, in essence, describes the direction of my life.