Cultural differences effect many aspects of our daily lives. With the many different cultures embedded in the United States, it is important that everyone has an understanding and respect for the melting pot that is encountered daily in our communities, workplaces and schools.
"Culture is not an exotic notion studied by a select group of anthropologists in the
South Seas. It is a mold in which we are all cast, and it controls our daily lives in
many unsuspected ways... Culture hides much more than it reveals, and strangely
enough what it hides, it hides most effectively from its own participants." (Hall)
The United States populated from the beginning with people from different cultures. There were Irish, German, Italian and Europeans immigrants who helped develop the American culture and traditions. With the immigration of different cultures there seemed to be a common ground of what is meant to be an American. "I do not think that most American really understand the historic changes happening before their very eyes." (Salins). Originally the idea was to have a common language, where as today we have a vast variety of languages written and spoke in our community. Signs in stores are scribed in different languages for the convenience of all patrons. When entering different business there are different signs as well as in most other public facilities. This makes us more aware of different cultures within our community.
With this variety of cultures growing within our community this allows more opportunities for us to explore ethnic traditions. Such things as specialty food items being more readily available in our grocery stores. In our community there are more ethnic restaurants for us to experience dif...
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...n mind and with the understanding that all cultures have different beliefs and ideas we can be positively affected daily by working with one another in communities, workplaces and schools. Our daily lives can be affected more now than ever by the opportunities we are given to discover other cultural experiences.
Works Cited
Booth, William. "One Nation, Indivisible: Is It History?" The Myth of the Melting Pot. Washington Post, 22 Feb. 1998. Web. 14 Feb. 2011.
"Business Advantages of Diversity in the Workplace." EthnoConnect. N.p., 2009. Web. 13 Feb. 2011.
Lindsey, Randall B., Kikanza Nuri Robins, and Raymond D. Terrell. Cultural Proficiency. Thousand Oaks: Corwin Press, 2003. Print.
Reyes, Wilson. "Embracing Diversity: Bringing Advantages of Different Cultures to the Workplace." Entrepreneur. Indiana Business Magazine,
Sept. 2008. Web. 13 Feb. 2011.
Indeed, in all their schools from elementary to secondary schools, they already adopted curricula that will foster cultural diversity. Through this program, students from different levels had the chance to be exposed to different traditions and customs of various ethnic and racial groups. Even the government sectors in the United States are advocating tolerance for diversity, like how they commemorate Asian American, Hispanic, and Pacific Islander Heritage weeks (Margai, 2010). Even in their postage, they developed stamps highlighting some prominent Americans along with their diverse backgrounds. Despite all these efforts, sometimes the issue concerning multiculturalism causes significant political and societal conflicts. Right now, United States is widely known as the greatest melting pot where people from different countries and with different cultures could be united as one. However, people have divided views with regards to the issue whether the immigrants should adopt America’s culture, or they should be given the freedom to keep their own culture. The majority of the Americans believed that one must learn first how to speak English before permitting to have an American citizenship. In support of the notion of melting pot, many Americans still insist that their Creed should endure, and their nation is destined to be a prime model to
Throughout history, there have been various perspectives of multicultural differences. According to Meriam Webster (n.d.), culture is “the beliefs, customs, arts, institutions, and the thoughts or products of a particular society or group.” Unfortunately, African Americans, Native Americans, Italians, Irish, Jews as well as various other cultural groups have been profoundly discriminated against and negatively stereotyped (Good Therapy org.). With the frequent mingling of cultures in educational settings, the workplace, and in the social arena, we are bound to encounter cultural differences.
Other cultures are interesting because they are different and we don’t usually understand the things that they do and why they do them. Learning about other people’s traditions from all over the world shows the diversity in people’s beliefs, habits and routine occurrences in everyday lives.
The United States is an immense country, with many residents and citizens descending from immigrants who have influenced many customs, traditions, behaviors and ways of life. Unlike many old world nations, the United States does not have a homogenous population or a traditional homeland. However, American culture can be interpreted as being largely based in Western Europe with influences from the Native Indians, Africans, Asians, and elsewhere.
The United States has Changed from a Melting Pot to a Vast Culture with Varying Racial Backgrounds
There are hundreds of different ethnicities that make up the population in the United states, so it’s no surprise that at time different cultural groups rub off on each other
Whether you have experienced a lot of traveling to other countries and continents or perhaps you have never left the East coast, it can be assumed; whether through school or a work environment, you have had at least one experience dealing with different nationalities and cultures. The realization is that we may come from different places and have different backgrounds but most people, cultures included, have more in common then we could imagine.
We all live in America, and America is the mixture of different cultures. Many of us are immigrants. So, I know many of us are familiar with different cultures and this topic will definitely create lots of interest to at least some of us.
The United States has been, and is, a melting pot of cultures and ethnicities. As
...elopment of diverse understanding through my life. I found that The further you explore and understand your own culture, you will be better prepared to face counseling issues in other cultures while avoiding possible pitfalls like bias.
According to Webster’s Dictionary, culture is defined as tradition or a way of life. It is also a defining principle in how we live our life and the type of people we become. The Salish Indians of the Montana and Celie, the main character of the book The Color Purple, are two examples of cultures that made them who they are. Celie is a poor, black, woman growing up in Memphis, Tennessee in the mid-twentieth century. The men have constantly put her down, through beatings and rape, for being a woman with no talent at all. Her husband’s lover comes to town and gives Celie a chance to see a culture where a woman can stand up for herself and teaches her that love is possible. The Salish on the other hand have a culture that has gone on through the ages and still is a part of each person today despite the obstacles they have had to face. Culture does shape us because from birth it is what tells us our ideals, laws, and morals that we live by each day.
The American culture is diverse and constantly evolving due to many various aspects of society, including, but not limited to, religion. It cannot be said that there is one American culture because there is no national language in America. Also, the lack of a single culture is displayed by the strong need for political correctness in America. Finally, it is evident that the culture in America has changed through the years due to changes in American religion.
Language is an important part to culture, it allows people to communicate with one another, while learning and sharing information as well. The importance and extent of which language can influence a particular culture was studied and made well known by the scientists, Benjamin Lee Whorf and Edward Sapir. According to the article, How Language Shapes Thoughts, the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis is based on the idea of language being able to shape the way that individuals think. Although this theory was once hard to believe, there is now evidence that shows that language does in fact influence the way an individual thinks. Language can shape the way people perceive time, space, how things are remembered, and also influences the learning process. Some
In America, there are many ethnic groups with many varieties of language. The U.S. was created through many people from different countries migrating to the new states. In the U.S. there is an “official speech” which is in the English language. The language of both these countries is not only different in meaning and sound, but also reflects the way in which the people in these societies live, believe, and function. Religion usually plays a big part in the cultures of the world and is the basis for their beliefs and values.
Our world is constantly changing and it requires a society that is well versed in understanding the problems deriving from culture differences and tolerance of one another’s beliefs and perceptions. We are dealing with systemic problems in education, economic, government, religion and culture differences.