Melting Pot Of American Culture

For thousands of years immigrants from all over world have migrated to this ‘wonderful’ country known as America. Ever since then these immigrants have been expected to quietly immerse them selves into mainstream American society. Today these diverse ethnic groups stand proudly broadcasting to the nation that they will not merge themselves into this ‘American Culture’. These multicultural groups ask themselves if assimilation into a country that offers endless opportunities is worth the surrendering of their own culture and beliefs. Immigrants feel the need to compromise their own culture and assimilate into mainstream American cultures, but question then is ‘what is American Culture’? Although immigrants feel that they are offered one of

Most people believe that in the melting pot American’s come together to be one when isn’t necessarily true. As stated ‘Assimilation, American Style’, “The point about the melting pot – is that it did not happen.” (qtd Salins). This means that instead of attempting to merge all the ‘different’ ethnicities together to try and contribute to the success of the nation instead, most groups feel as though they have been asked to leave their personal beliefs and traditions behind. In order to conform and be blended into one ‘American Style Category’. Salins then backs up this idea when he states, “If true assimilation were to occur… immigrants would have to abandon all their cultural baggage and conform to American ways.” (Salins 600). This mean that the people would have to ‘melt’ into the ‘common’ national norm instead of hanging on to their own cultural ethnicity. Does this mean that we aren’t true to our American selves because, we have brown skin or speak another language? No it doesn’t, it just means that instead of being a ‘melting pot’ we are more like a ‘salad’ and all the ingredients are different but, each of them still has a purpose in forming the ending

What exactly is an American? An American is someone who strives for a better tomorrow. Someone who never settles and is never completely satisfied with what they have because, they know they can do better. An American is someone with a dream. Whether that dream is to become a teacher, astronaut, or the president. The possibilities are endless for Americans. Which is why people migrate to the United States of America. They come in search of the same thing the original settlers came for a better life. A life were they can be who they are and strive a better future for themselves and their families. People do not migrate to America to be judged and ridiculed about their skin color, religion, or native tongue. So why do we insists on trying to separate them into categories or make them feel that they must abandon their own