Squirrel Hill: The Importance Of Being An American Culture

No matter what I tried, I could never truly have an objective mindset if I continued defining the term American as I was. If I clung to my own preconceived notion that there was something unique about Americans, I could never be objective. So instead, I began to look at other countries, trying to find parallels. To my shock and dismay, I found that America is actually similar to North Korea in some ways: citizens of both countries are raised on nationalistic pride and are told that they live in the greatest country in the world, that there is no place better. This corrupts one’s ability to look at their country with a truly objective eye. From this, I discerned a troubling fact: all people are the same, regardless of nationality or personal beliefs. There is no true separation between individuals of different countries, helping to develop my current belief that the term American holds no special regard in comparison to the rest of the world. It is simply a term used to allow an individual to feel

What does it mean to be an American? We are all different in this world, diversity includes everyone. Diversity refers to all of the ways in which people are different. The diversity of the United States society is increasing dramatically, due to high rates of immigration. America is built of people coming together from different races, nationalities, religions and sexes. This includes individual, group, and traditional differences. Diversity is a major role on impacting the the United States character, history, and tradition. Diversity made america what it is today. Can our society deal successfully with these changes?

Most Americans descend from immigrants and many of them identify themselves and take pride in their legacy and cultural history. There is a lot of diversity in the United States. Therefore, the United States is well known for its multiculturalism. Most Americans embrace diversity and are willing to learn about one another’s cultures. For years, many Americans have respected and learned about new cultures, so now being an American consists of following several principles and ideas, not a particular ethnic identity. Therefore, one can be an American while still taking pride in one’s cultural history and traditions. Although this is what most Americans believe, there have been many

Generally considered the “Great Melting Pot,” America is often noted for hosting ethnicities and cultures of every kind, however it is debatable whether or not they are genuinely welcomed. Some might argue that the prejudice acts throughout our nation such as the Ferguson, Missouri shootings and the disdain among minorities, especially Muslims, prove that our country does not offer a warm welcome towards those who are not Caucasians. Regardless, I firmly believe that America recognizes and cherishes the variation of citizens living among us.

We live in a society that has prospered generously over the years. America has opened its doors for so many different people by establishing itself as a free country. Not only have we progressed in technology and economically but we have created our own identity by becoming a free nation in which every individual has the same rights and eligibility as the other. This is the core of our countries success; we are not a nation unified distinctly by a specific race, religion or culture but by the compulsive efforts of our nation’s laws to uphold freedom in every aspect of a civilian’s life. People are not only allowed but encouraged to practice the religion of their choice, eat the food they desire, speak the language they prefer. There is even freedom in the most minute of things such as being able to listen to the music of your choice, these are the laws that promote diversity and strengthen our nation today. Our nation’s identity and prosperity is built upon multiculturalism and ethnic tolerance. However, this was not always the case it has taken many long and brutal years become the stable and versatile country that we are today. Specifically dating back to when this land was first founded and thereafter we see our nation has struggled with conflicts against politics, discrimination, and public affairs up till this very day.

The obvious answer to this question would most likely be, “America is a melting pot. The many different diverse cultures that fill up the country are what makes America, America.” This answer is in fact, true. The United States of America is the land of the free and is full of opportunities. The pledge of allegiance to the U.S.A flag, does say “liberty and justice for ALL” does it not? People from all over the globe leave their families and homes to find their freedom, their purpose, and to live the lives they have always imagined, America would provide for them. But what is it about the United States of America that is so appealing to outsiders?

We as humans come in different shape and sizes also with different cultures and beliefs. We humans should understand people do not always have the same belief or the same culture. In “My so called Enemy”, “American stands for Tolerance” by Ronald J. Allen, and “Texas vs. Johnson” by: William J. Brennan. In these three texts they all define the meaning of accepting people’s different opinion or different culture. We human beings must be willing to accept people or their opinions that are different from ourselves.

America is considered to be one of the most tolerant and diverse countries in the world compared to others. However, Americans as individuals, are highly intolerant of each other’s beliefs and racial background. We are all not as accepting of each other as we claim to be. Race and religion are amongst a plethora of examples on how diversity in America can be intolerable.

Reading over the brilliant work of Michael Walzer’s “What does it mean to be an American” I have discovered that the identity of Americans is that of a “melting pot.” We , as Americans, promote an abundance of cultures that are interconnected to make our country the amazing place it is today. Walzer believes in the diversity of America, he realizes that America’s cultural diversity is part of what makes us the best country in the world.

An American is somebody who is willing to except others culture, no matter how strange it is compared to the “American culture”. An American is somebody who excepts others reliogion, race, ethnictity, gender, and sexuality even if it opposes what he or she was raise to believe. An American is someone who doesn’t consider others as outsiders, but welcome new comers with great hospitality, and encourage them to bring along their culture. America itself was founded by immegrants from Spain, France, Great Britain, the later came African Americans and more. If America was founded by new comers who brought along their cultures and those cultures mixed to form America the Great then why cant, even more new cultures come and be mixed to create America the Greatest?

The first quality of an American is someone who welcomes diversity. Welcoming diversity means accepting everyone, even those who are much more different than you. This is important to being an American as many people who came to America were once immigrants and full of diversity. As Franklin D. Roosevelt once said, “Out of that reservoir, out of the melting pot, the rich promise which the New World held out to those who came to it from many lands is finding fulfillment,” (Roosevelt 11). Immigrants came to America; immigrants were a huge part in the developing country of America. This diversity that immigrants brought is the starting point of American’s diversity. Since then, the diversity has grown and Americans welcome that. We

The United States of America was founded on July 4, 1776. Seeking a life free of the British Government, a host of immigrants founded a new nation. Because the United States was created by the migration of people from various parts of the world, it is sometimes described as a “melting pot.” Along with their personal possessions, these immigrants brought their respective cultures and traditions as they meshed together into a new society. Despite being categorized together as citizens of the same country, the independent traditions and lifestyles of humankind have created challenges throughout history. It is important for Americans to share a sense of pride, patriotism and loyalty. Equally important, however, is the need for respect regarding differences and individualism. Ethnocentrism is a barrier between understanding culture and diversity.

In America the most known motto has to be “Land of opportunity.” This is available to anyone in this country, even to those who are discriminated just by their religious or ethical background. For the life of Noor Bagi who is Muslim American goes through racial profiling everyday, looked at differently because how she looks. But being in America it doesn’t say “land of the free ___ American”, simply “Land of the free”. We must see one another's point of views and respect each other because everyone you or I make fun of, at the end of the day is trying to live life to its fullest just like everyone else. America has been diverse every since the beginning. Having other settle here, for all of us who come from different should be proud of who

I am very excited to be writing this information here on this page as I always keep asking this question from myself almost every single day. As a global citizen i believe i am from this earth not from one country of another and this reminds me that we are all the same, despite of our differences we are all still human beings with the same origins, a beating heart and blood running through our veins. My consciousness towards my Creator(GOD) leads me to be conscious of all lives, cultures, races and beliefs.

With the founding of the United States government, many Americans have expressed a variety of attitudes towards those who differ from the majority culture. Furthermore, as can be seen throughout America 's history, one can pull many example of how Americans have acted towards the "other". For instance, "many Americans began to fear that the immigrants had been coming faster than they could become good Americans and be made part of American life" which provides a way of seeing how Americans felt about those traveling into the country at that time. Moreover, these attitudes towards different types of cultures were placed into policy making, religions, and languages that differed from the majority.