A Quality of American Identity: We Are Not Independent Becaue We Have Conformity

1406 Words3 Pages
A Quality of American Identity: We Are Not Independent Because We Have Conformity

It was thought that throughout American history, one of the most significant qualities of the culture was individualism. The idea of individual freedoms was a forceful motive driving to the independence of America. America, in the efforts of pursuing individualism, had influenced numerous fights which stemmed from movements. There was the American Revolution which began on April 19, 1775 caused by the instigation of the Seven Years’ War which began in 1754. Since the earlier periods in which America’s patriotism highlighted it as important, something American culture has always strived to attain was independence. But, according to the modern history of America “the great”, there is only the realistic portrayal of restrictions in society and conformity. Conformity, although it is not an ideal quality of American identity, is the most apparent in its culture.

Conformity is defined as doing and thinking as others and therefore following a standard that is socially acceptable and or expected. Conformity, in most cases is not always decided by an individual but is rather inflicted upon them because society has set a certain trend as a fixed standard. These trends are pushed as regulations or requirements and because the people who are citizens fear persecution, America has become a country of followers.

Our country’s daily chant of The Pledge of Allegiance mentions that the country stands as a republic “with liberty ¬¬¬¬and justice for all”. The claim describing initial intentions of America is wrong because of the fact that American culture was never run in a way to promote prosperity of each individual. Many times people are directed to stand ...

... middle of paper ...

...olve the problem” (Breton).

Works Cited

Breton, Denise C. "Decolonizing Restorative Justice." Unsettling America. WordPress, 13 Sept. 2011. Web. 4 May 2014. .

Chernus, Ira. "IraChernus-JamesonAndPostmodernism." IraChernus-JamesonAndPostmodernism. Web. 4 May 2014. .

De Castro, Juan E. "Mestizo Nations: Culture, Race, and Conformity in Latin American Literature." Mestizo Nations: Culture, Race, and Conformity in Latin American Literature. Web. 4 May 2014. .

Miller, Arthur. The Crucible: A Play in Four Acts. New York: Viking, 1953. Print.

Wright, Richard. Black Boy: A Record of Childhood and Youth. New York: Harper & Bros., 1945. Print.

More about A Quality of American Identity: We Are Not Independent Becaue We Have Conformity

Open Document