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Is America a blank cultural slate? Or do we have an historically mainstream culture that is worthy of respect and affirmation?
This is a book review of "America's British Culture" by Russell Kirk:
"He argues that America still has an identifiable and redeemable culture, and that this culture is British in form and substance ... 'America’s British Culture' documents for the non-scholar the overwhelming influence of English literature, law, government, religion, mores, customs, and folkways on American life, from its colonial beginnings to the present generation."
For all of its flaws - and I'm sure some of the vandals on this site will soon be pointing them out - Anglo-American culture is remarkable for its generosity and ability to assimilate that which is good and enduring in other cultures. But this is only true insofar as the center holds firm. Without that healthy core, it all falls apart, and that's what seems to be happening today.
Kirk also makes the important point that multiculturalism - even if stripped of its anti-western bias - is in fact anti-cultural. That's because under a multicultural regime no culture is finally authoritative. Consensus is destroyed and all that is left is raw power.
An interesting factoid that I've seen is that the offshoots of the British Empire--US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand--are all among the top desired destinations for people wishing to relocate from their native land.
In this 2009 survey, the US was the #1 choice, Canada #2, and the UK itself #3.
Kirk also makes the important point that multiculturalism - even if stripped of its anti-western bias - is in fact anti-cultural. That's because under a multicultural regime no culture is finally authoritative. Consensus is destroyed and all that is left is raw power.
Why does one culture need to be "fully authoritative?" in order for there to be "consensus"?
As for the OP...America does indeed have a historical European (mostly British, yes) culture. I'm not sure it's something to celebrate, necessarily, given its history....
Oh, goodness another Anglo Saxon pity party. Never mind that the American colonies were originally populated by Germans, Swedes, Spanish, Irish, French, Scott, and African people all of whom contributed mightily to American culture. Even the Anglo Saxon colonist were just as influenced by German and French culture as everyone else in the Western World. But that was then and this is now, for 200 years people from all over the world have been contributing to the cultural history of this country. As a result, the American culture of the 21st Century could not possibly remain the same as that of the 19th. Cultures either grow or die.
Last edited by ovcatto; 02-17-2012 at 02:56 PM..
Reason: for grammar and typos
For all of its flaws - and I'm sure some of the vandals on this site will soon be pointing them out - Anglo-American culture is remarkable for its generosity and ability to assimilate that which is good and enduring in other cultures. But this is only true insofar as the center holds firm.Without that healthy core, it all falls apart, and that's what seems to be happening today.
America has a culture of consumerism and hyper-materialism. There's not much more to life than going to work, eating fast food and shopping at Walmart. A very dull and uninteresting existence.
Everyone already gets that "Anglo-Saxon pride" is just another dog whistle for white power and ethnocentrism.
Indeed. And the sun set on that shyt long ago.............
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