During the formative years of the American colonies and eventually the United States, there was constant warfare between the various European countries. The nationalistic tendencies of the Europeans ensured a high level of conflict. These conflicts were fueled by the European leaders who would emphasize the superiority of their culture or religion over that of another country. These attitudes were enable by a world where the majority of people did not interact with people from a different country. While in America, people from different countries were coming into contact with each other more and more. Of course the Early settlers carried their prejudices with them from Europe, but over time they began to fade as different communities worked together to survive. In 1782 St. John de Crevecoeur wrote an epistolary book called Letters from an American Farmer. In letter III of the book, Crevecoeur wrote about how various people with different prejudices, and manners have come together to create a new American nation. In 1908 a play titled The Melting Pot helped to popularize this ideal of different people from different cultures coming together to form a new culture.

I believe this ideal is still a valid and important part of American culture. Critics of the melting pot point to the obvious times in our history where different ethic or religious groups were the subject of discrimination. Just because people do not always live up to an ideal does not mean it has no value. Everyone will agree that maintaining a healthy diet is good for your health which in turn is good for the country. However many people have trouble eating a healthy diet. That doesn't mean that they shouldn't, it just means that we are human. The fact that many people struggle with their diet doesn't mean that society should not encourage people to eat healthy.

In the '60s opposition to the melting pot ideal began to develop. A new theory referred to as the Salad Bowl emerged. In this theory, each culture should maintain their own culture and identity. The ideal is that each individual group would be able to remain distinct and yet help to create a successful society. The problem with this approach can be seen throughout history. When groups of people separate themselves from others, conflicts tend to arise. Europe of the 18th and 19th centuries are good example of this. You can also see this in modern day Canada. How many times have the culturally French Canadians of Quebec threaten to secede from Canada? It is an idea that is continually coming up. But why? Are French Canadians discriminated against? Are they denied jobs or housing by the English Canadians? I doubt it. The reason is more because of the prejudices and conflicts that can occur when you maintain a separate culture. Look at the problems France has with their Muslim population. Remember the riots that set fire to French cities? These conflicts are continuing today even though our media is ignoring the situation. You can also see this today with the Basque separatist groups in Northern Spain. You can find many other examples of war and conflict between different cultural groups if you take the time to look. Here are a few hints more hints, Bosnia, Kosovo, Chechnya, Sudan.

So with all the obvious examples of how separate cultures tend to create conflict, why do so many people today think that promoting separate identities and cultures is a good idea? It is do mainly to socialist programming in our schools and universities where we are taught that our society is built on racism and oppression. Is this really true? Is America the most racist country in the world? The answer is a resounding no. If you compare the racial attitudes in American to the rest of the world, I think you will find that the opposite is true. Where else in the world do you see so much intermarriage between people of different ethic and religious groups. The reason that other countries appear to be less racist is because their society are more homogeneous. You don't hear about their racial issues because the country does not openly discuss them. America is unique because we air our dirty laundry for all to see. I think this is a good thing. Americans tend to be idealist and most Americans believe in striving for that more perfect union that our fore-fathers dreamed of. Because of this we tend to be very critical of ourselves. The rest of the world see this and uses it in their own propaganda to belittle the United States. Our society is not perfect, none are; and we should strive to improve it so we can continue to be an example for the rest of the world.

Americans should honor our unique cultural histories because each one has added to the quality of our American culture. But at the same time, we should celebrate our unity. Only through unity can we hope to eliminate discrimination and racism. Unity can be achieved through a common language and culture. Realize that we are Americans first and place your ethnic heritage here second. We can honor our ethnic heritage through holidays, special events and celebrations such as Cinco de Mayo, Black History Month, Mardi Gras, Day, the Pacific Rim festivals, and Oktoberfest help to remind us of our different cultures and how they have added to the American culture. It also allows people from other cultural backgrounds to share yours.

If you think about it, what other country in the world celebrates the holidays of other countries? In American we celebrate the Chinese New Year. Do the Chinese celebrate the Western New Year? In American we celebrate Cinco De Mayo. Do the Mexicans celebrate the Fourth of July? Does Germany celebrate Thanksgiving? In these countries it would be unthinkable to celebrate an American holiday but in this country, we have to problem celebrating the holidays of different cultures. That is the melting pot, that is America. We are not separate people having our own holidays that no one else shares. We are Americans that come together to celebrate our unity and our multi-cultural heritage. The melting pot means that there are no barriers between cultures, that we are all one nation. That is the ideal that we should strive for.

- Thomas Paine 2

Technorati Tags: melting pot, multiculturalism, politics, racism