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Location: New Albany, Indiana (Greater Louisville)
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USA covers a large geographic area with states and regions the size of many nations. I believe that individual states and regions of the USA do have a unique culture but the general national culture is based on similarities but not uniformity. In northern New Mexico people descended from Spanish settlers and their Indian wives and have lived there and spoke Spanish since the 1600s. In rural Eastern Kentucky almost everyone descends from the original British settlers of the USA and has been there speaking English and attending Protestant churches since the 1700s. In northern Vermont many people are of French Canadian ancestry.
These questions are a result of another P&OC thread about Tom Brokaw's comment that Hispanics should work harder at assimilation. In reading the 17 or so pages of posts on that thread, I have seen no responses so far that directly answered this.
From what I have read, in the past, people viewed the majority of Americans as people who:
- City dwellers were loud, brash,and "pushy"; and rural people were uneducated "hicks"
- Worked hard to get ahead and had a "can do" attitude about almost everything
- Valued material success more than almost anything else, except possibly immediate family
- Had little respect for titles or inherited wealth, but they also had contempt for the very poor
- Were English-speaking, white, and Christian
- Were very patriotic and proud about settling a new country, rebelling against England, and then creating a new "free and equal" country for all white men
Then, starting in the 50's, I think that American culture became synonymous with the youth culture of that time -- blue jeans, rock and roll, and flagrant sexuality. (In short, very liberal and rebellious of traditional and conservative values).
Again, I am not saying that any of the above is necessarily true, but is just what I have gathered from my reading.
However, now in the 21st century, I don't believe that there is any truly and uniquely "American culture" at all, and that is why I think no one could could provide an answer as to what it is. Can you?
American culture is anybody in the countries on the continent of America: Canadians, US Citizens, Mexicans, etc. Within each of those countries, people speak many languages and dialects. What's changed is our definitions. As an example, it used to be Hispanics were from Spain, now they include Latinos (thanks Nixon). People from the European continent and African continent, view the American culture similar to theirs: many countries with different languages and dialects. So basically, the USA was never unique to begin with.
I think we should be specific about what type of American culture. I am curious as what type of dances, art styles, and music are de facto White American. That is, the earliest version of those practices were done by White Americans.
New England Contra dancing and all forms of Square dancing (New England, Southern and Modern Western) may be based on English or French dancing forms, but they developed in the United States. The reason school kids at one time were learning square dancing in school was because it was nationally mandated; this dance was considered to be part of our national cultural identity.
In my opinion no other place in the union has had more success creating a unified culture across ethnic lines than that state has. No where else do you see Blacks, Whites, Hispanics and even some Asians more or less leading the same lives. Eating the same food, having the same religion, same lifestyles, etc.
It's still mostly a salad bowl like the rest of the US, but I don't think there is a more culturally homogenous state.
In my opinion no other place in the union has had more success creating a unified culture across ethnic lines than that state has. No where else do you see Blacks, Whites, Hispanics and even some Asians more or less leading the same lives. Eating the same food, having the same religion, same lifestyles, etc.
It's still mostly a salad bowl like the rest of the US, but I don't think there is a more culturally homogenous state.
Except not all of us are like you and we are still Americans. Where I live only 20% of the population owns a gun. We don't want guns. We are a very safe state. Yours is a Texas culture.
We eat fish and lobster up here. We have various religions and no religion--and no once cares because we are live and let live. (Do whatever you want as long as it doesn't impinge on my rights.)
I think most of America has a strong work ethic, we value education, we want to feel like a unified country, we have pride in our past, and, as someone already said, our past is different depending upon what area of the country we're talking about. Pilgrims here and French Canadians in northern Vermont. There are many different heritages--we can't honor them all. We need something that's just plain American.
In my opinion no other place in the union has had more success creating a unified culture across ethnic lines than that state has. No where else do you see Blacks, Whites, Hispanics and even some Asians more or less leading the same lives. Eating the same food, having the same religion, same lifestyles, etc.
It's still mostly a salad bowl like the rest of the US, but I don't think there is a more culturally homogenous state.
Have you asked the Blacks, Latinos, and Asians about their own Texas experience?
Except not all of us are like you and we are still Americans. Where I live only 20% of the population owns a gun. We don't want guns. We are a very safe state. Yours is a Texas culture.
We eat fish and lobster up here. We have various religions and no religion--and no once cares because we are live and let live. (Do whatever you want as long as it doesn't impinge on my rights.)
I think most of America has a strong work ethic, we value education, we want to feel like a unified country, we have pride in our past, and, as someone already said, our past is different depending upon what area of the country we're talking about. Pilgrims here and French Canadians in northern Vermont. There are many different heritages--we can't honor them all. We need something that's just plain American.
I understand but I think the extremely diverse population as well as the central location has sort of created a de facto "plain American" culture in TX. Throughout its existence people have continued to move to the state from all over the country and as a result, every type of American seems to be represented here. Lots of seafood eaters in TX, as well as irreligious people and those that are vehemently anti-gun, etc
It's no secret that nothing divides America as much as race and ethnicity, but if our country is becoming more of a melting pot, I think TX is nearly the center of that swirl.
This thread reminds me of the British gag about, what’s the difference between a pot of yoghurt, and Australia?
Left long enough, the yoghurt will develop a culture.
It’s just a joke Aussies, we love you really, you’re among the first that we invite to join in all our wars.
This thread reminds me of the British gag about, what’s the difference between a pot of yoghurt, and Australia?
Left long enough, the yoghurt will develop a culture.
It’s just a joke Aussies, we love you really, you’re among the first that we invite to join in all our wars.
Very funny! I always think of Paul Theroux's comment that the Australian book of etiquette is a very slim book!
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