United States, Melting Pot

1 Pages 371 Words

The United States, The Melting Pot

The United States has changed from a Melting Pot to a Vast Culture with Varying Racial Backgrounds. The United States, created by blending or ³melting² many cultures together into one common man, known as an American. Modern communication and transportation accelerate mass migrations from one continent to the United States. Ethnic and racial diversity was bound to happen in the American society. As immigration began to explode, a cult of ethnicity erupted both between non-Anglo whites and among nonwhite minorities. Until recently, the only country that has made a multiethnic society work was the United States. Hector St. John de Creve Coeur said, “In America . . . individuals of all nations are melted into a new race of men”. Is this still true? The creation of the U.S. was not to preserve old cultures but to forge a new, American culture." (Schlesinger 22).
In the 20th century, the melting pot is not working, and the whole idea is under attack. The United States has changed from a melting pot to a vast culture with varying backgrounds. In years before, America was a collection of Chinese, Germans, Italians, Scots, Croats, etc., all craving freedom. Today, even the simple concept of an English-speaking nation is fading off the continent. In the old days, immigrants were taught in English in the public schools. In America today, children are taught in German, Italian, Polish, and 108 other languages. Most of these schools are funded by 139 million federal dollars.
Until recently, emigrants in the United States longed for admittance in society's mainstream. Now these groups demand separation from society, to be able to preserve and conserve their customs and languages. The biggest problem with this demand, is whatever accommodation takes place, must be done and accepted by the receiving society (Chavez 60).
The increasing accommodations directed toward immigrant culture ...