Be warned. Might get a bit sticky or tense in here. But if it gets out of hand, rest assured I'll shut it down. So act respectfully and play nicely and we should all be fine
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I'm not sure I 100% agree with you about the melting pot thing. Although perhaps a better term than a melting pot would be a salad bowl?
Most people, born and raised in America, are more like other Americans than whatever country their particular heritage may be. That kid who flew to Iraq a few months ago (Iraqi heritage, totally American upbringing and stuck out like crazy the second he opened his mouth) comes to mind for me. And while perhaps people of other races don't blend together as well as only one race might, I don't think that means they aren't culturally very similar to any other American.
Also, there are several different "melting pots", if you will, across the globe. For example, the Chinese have had a huge influence on other countries and cultures near them. Take the writing systems in Korea and Japan, for example. Having all of them mix together here is wonderful, IMO. It's the only place in the world that is like that.
So, yeah, I think the term melting pot is outdated. We need a new descriptor for the mix that makes up the US today, but I still think basic concept of people of different nationalities coming together and being "American" is valid. Because that's what Americans are. We're a country of immigrants.
I'll agree that that those born in America generally do a good job assimilating the 'American culture'. It's a big debate here with the high number if illegal immigrants we have and people saying we can't deport the families because the kids don't know Mexico or even Spanish (some born in the US, some brought across very young).
I do think melting pot is a bit outdated because we have become more lenient about accepting certain aspects of other cultures whereas before it was pretty well frowned up. I was trying to say that there are certain areas where the assimilation process is being slowed down. People are being allowed to hold onto their native culture and language as they had not in the past. Some states offer the driver's test and ballots in multiple languages. Now, I can sort of see the driver's test since we have those with work visas and it's good to know they understand our traffic laws. I have problems with ballots since you are supposed to pass an English language proficiency test to become a citizen. I could maybe see issue literature sent out ahead of time that would have the issues in a different language as legalese is hard to understand for a natvie speaker, but that ballot itself?
I guess it's mostly because I live in an area now where there is some descrimination against those that don't know Spanish. There are some jobs that are off limits to people who don't it and it can hinder your advancement. I know that English isn't our national language, and I do think that more Americans should know a second language, but I don't like being 'told' which language that should be.
I'm probably still not explaining myself well. LOL I do know the US is a country of immigrants, even if there are those that refuse to believe that even though their families have only been here about 100 years. I just know it's easier for me to relate to a Eurpoean immigrant than a devout Muslim or Asian immigrant just becasue I have cultural references and commonalities. That's not to say I can't get along with those folks, it's just not as natural for me.
Most people, born and raised in America, are more like other Americans than whatever country their particular heritage may be. That kid who flew to Iraq a few months ago (Iraqi heritage, totally American upbringing and stuck out like crazy the second he opened his mouth) comes to mind for me. And while perhaps people of other races don't blend together as well as only one race might, I don't think that means they aren't culturally very similar to any other American.
Also, there are several different "melting pots", if you will, across the globe. For example, the Chinese have had a huge influence on other countries and cultures near them. Take the writing systems in Korea and Japan, for example. Having all of them mix together here is wonderful, IMO. It's the only place in the world that is like that.
So, yeah, I think the term melting pot is outdated. We need a new descriptor for the mix that makes up the US today, but I still think basic concept of people of different nationalities coming together and being "American" is valid. Because that's what Americans are. We're a country of immigrants.
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I do think melting pot is a bit outdated because we have become more lenient about accepting certain aspects of other cultures whereas before it was pretty well frowned up. I was trying to say that there are certain areas where the assimilation process is being slowed down. People are being allowed to hold onto their native culture and language as they had not in the past. Some states offer the driver's test and ballots in multiple languages. Now, I can sort of see the driver's test since we have those with work visas and it's good to know they understand our traffic laws. I have problems with ballots since you are supposed to pass an English language proficiency test to become a citizen. I could maybe see issue literature sent out ahead of time that would have the issues in a different language as legalese is hard to understand for a natvie speaker, but that ballot itself?
I guess it's mostly because I live in an area now where there is some descrimination against those that don't know Spanish. There are some jobs that are off limits to people who don't it and it can hinder your advancement. I know that English isn't our national language, and I do think that more Americans should know a second language, but I don't like being 'told' which language that should be.
I'm probably still not explaining myself well. LOL I do know the US is a country of immigrants, even if there are those that refuse to believe that even though their families have only been here about 100 years. I just know it's easier for me to relate to a Eurpoean immigrant than a devout Muslim or Asian immigrant just becasue I have cultural references and commonalities. That's not to say I can't get along with those folks, it's just not as natural for me.
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