Melting Pot

This article describes the metaphor of American and a melting pot. Not just one culture or group of people, it is mixture or combination of many different cultures and people from all over the world. "The term 'melting pot' refers to the idea that the different peoples of the world who immigrated it America would mix together and become one nation." But, of course, America and the people who lived here during waves of immigration weren't too into the melting pot. The problem here is culture. Those who lived in America for generations and feel they can call themselves Americans want only to maintain whatever they feel is American culture. But, those from other countries want to keep their heritage and culture from the countries they traveled from, but still merge into this society and be able to also call themselves American. A main problem with immigration was the clashing of cultures, and people not being able to see past cultural differences and live together as one nation. Because of the oppression and discrimination immigrants received here in America, they began to form their own little communities each with its own cultural identity. The United States of America was supposed to be united and welcoming to those who wanted to be American. But, as history has shown us, those who differ from what is considered 'American' are not welcomed into this country and offered all the opportunities they were told they would have. Instead, they were refused work and housing, forced to work in terrible conditions and live in way too crowded housing. I'm not really sure that most American's could describe one distinct American culture like you could find in most other countries. Instead, despite efforts and fighting it, America is composed of all different cultures and religions and people. It is the result of all the history and all the different people that have come here from places all over the world combining into this melting pot where all the people are somehow combined and united, even if they don't see or believe it. "The system has not been perfect, and not all have succeeded, nor has the culture become one, but the goals of political liberty and financial success do bind Americans together."

"melting pot." American History. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 1 Feb. 2010. .