Is There an "American" Culture?
In a discussion about diversity, an issue was raised as to our "unifying American culture". When we tried to pin it down, it was difficult to actually define what that was. It is clear that whatever culture we have is dynamic and always changing. One benefit of old age is being able to have a perspective of more years to compare and analyze.
The issue that started the discussion was previous postings on this blog. They were Diversity, Diversity Again, and Pretending to be Normal. I posit that diversity is one of the hallmarks of humanity, not what makes "them" different from "us".
The issue that started the discussion was previous postings on this blog. They were Diversity, Diversity Again, and Pretending to be Normal. I posit that diversity is one of the hallmarks of humanity, not what makes "them" different from "us".
Labels: Disability
posted by Arthur Seale at 7:44 PM
24 Comments:
I think that an American culture is a blending of cultures. But as we found out cultures are always changing. Culture is not only defined by etnicity but by finacial status, disability, and a variety of other factors. As cultures come to America they blend into a combination of personal choices.
I believe that the American culture varys greatly according to geographic region. It is the diversity of America's people that leads to the continual changing of exactly what is American culture. The one thing that I have experienced which seems to unity Americans is a sense of pride or national patriotism.
I must be an idealist. I wish that everyone could embrace my idea of the "American" culture
I do believe there is an American culture. In our culture we have our views of what is normal and not normal behavior. Built into this culture we have the the concept of survival of the fittest and those that are the most assimilated to the dominant culture tend to do well.
I agree that one of the benefits of getting old is the experience of different cultures. Cultures are changing and the more we intermingle/interact with each others, the more cultures will continue to change.
What defines American culture? I agree with Linda that it varies by geographic region, but one thing that is I feel defines being American is the ability of anyone to make something of themselves if they are willing to work hard at it! America provides a unique opportunity for people in education and jobs that other countries don't.
Please DON'T PRETENED TO BE NORMAL! YOU WILL NEVER DO IT! Normal is just a word that poorly attempts to catagorize likes and dislikes. As far as there being a "Unifying American culture" no there is no such thing in a general sense. However, for various groups, there is such a thing. The definitions are endless because the definition for "American" is also endless.
I believe that American culture is based on the philosophical principles that a diverse group of peoples belief in and that are adhered to in the Constitution of the United States of America.
I believe that culture is difficult to define, especially when trying to define it, in terms of the American Culture. This country was not called the "Melting Pot" for no unknown reason...I think that we are fortunate to have many ethnic cultures in our country. It gives us the opportunity to learn from others, and to see how others live.
My comments regarding the topic is that "American" culture is going to continue to change for the better. Rereach and study groups have made a great porgress in the study of Special Education issues.
I do believe that we have an American culture. Granted it has changed and will continue to as the face of America changes. My only hope is that America and what it stands for will continue to be a leader in our ever-changing world.
I think that the "American Culture" is a very different experience for every single person in America. The people they encounter, the diversity they experience, the culture in which they were raised and the experiences of their lives all are a part of what develops into their own personal version of an "American Culture." However, there are a large number of people who hold certain elements of this culture in common. And these commonalities are what we most often think of when we are referring to an "American Culture." Yet, once again, what each person views to be a component of these commonalities varies greatly from person to person.
One can understand why it would be hard to pin down exactly what creates and binds "American" culture. Simply put there is no one thing that can be stated as being what creates "American" culture. The closest thing that this student can think of that could be said as what creates "American" culture would be American government. The governmental style that the United States has implemented has not been as public or criticized as much as that of the U.S. Then again America's culture could be said to be built off of hot dogs.
This comment has been removed by the author.
There is no American culture that specifically refers to the United States of America. American culture stands as a monument to the diffusion of Western Civilization to the island continents, of North and South Americas. Amerigo Vespusie would go to the depths of hell and take our nation with him, if he knew the arrogance of the citizens of the United States. GB
American culture is extremely diverse and it can be anything a person chooses to define it. The American culture is a melting pot that changes daily and even hourly. SM
I believe that the American culture, if there is such a thing, is dynamic. It seems that America is a meshing and sometimes clashing of very different thoughts and ideas. American "culture" seems to be concerned with the here and now. It seems like things that America loves and hates change from day to day. In our society things are important, not people. American culture is so fickle it's difficult to keep up from one "norm" to the next. To be quite honest the culture that is perceived by others in the world is not a positive thing. At times it seems that this culture is created and perpetuated by non-Americans than actual American citizens. It is difficult to sum our culture up because it is broken up into so many sub categories. I truly believe that American culture on a personal level is much different than what is perceived by society as a whole.
When the subject of what American culture is comes up, I tend to throw up my arms and say to people, its everything we do even if its not colorful or organized. This includes sitting at home watching Desperate Housewives on T.V.
Its activities we do its the holidays we celebrate and values we care about. For evenone its a different experience within a larger culture.
This comment has been removed by the author.
Diversity is the differences are all have that make up our American Culture. Our American culture contains a little or a lot of input and contributions from other countries. That's what make
America----AMERICA.
Yes, we do have an American culture. An American culture involves all the cultures that have moved to America. We have many different foods that involves all the cultures that live here. We all have good ideas, the ability to make choices, and speak our feelings about anything. We all make our own traditions that makes us very diverse.
Our country is so diverse that to identify just one American culture would be like saying we have just one race living in the U.S. We have stolen different customs from different countries and called it our own.
How can we have just one American culture when we are so diverse? Not everyone is or ever will be from our country. We all bring a little of our own culture to the U.S. and then call it an American culture.
Molly.
I do agree that there is an American culture and that that culture is diversity. I do also believe thqt culture is changing, and that one has to have mind to accept change. There is what is considered a "UNIFYING AMERICAN CULTURE." That unity, I believe, relates to life , liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Although many people believe that there is no such thing as an “American culture,” I feel that American’s do indeed have a very distinct culture. American culture is known for being complex and unique. American culture comprises an unusual pattern of forms formed from the diverse groups of people within the country. It is exactly our diversity that makes American culture so unique and distinct. I do however, agree with Belinda, in that our country is known as a “melting pot.” That in itself is a distinction of American culture.
Post a Comment
<< Home