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The United States used to be a melting pot but we have so much illegal immigration that the elements cannot be blended together anymore. We are more of a salad and the lettuce is getting scarce.
Culture is changeable though. Race is not. A second generation Mexican American and a second generation Russian American might be very similar when in comes to culture, but there will still be very apparent differences between them due to race.
These types of obstacles did not exist in previous waves of immigration. It's hardly even possible to distinguish a second generation Irish American and second generation German American for instance.
Subtle changes in a nation's culture is not objectionable but when it is occuring via illegal immigration and it dilutes our culture and language, it is. It isn't natural or acceptable. We were a new nation when the European immigrants came here and they blended together to become one identifying culture while still retaining some of the old culture at home. As I said, that isn't what is happening today. Immigrants are encouraged to retain their native cultures and languages out in mainstream society by our PC world today. There is no more diversity quotas either. That deters assimilation to the mainstream culture.
Definitely a salad bowl at this point. Not sure if it will ever be a true melting pot. Different people will definitely interact with each other but at the end of the day most tend to stick with their own kind.
The United States used to be a melting pot but we have so much illegal immigration that the elements cannot be blended together anymore. We are more of a salad and the lettuce is getting scarce.
It's even harder to blend when they segregate themselves. 70% of immigrants are settling in only 7 states and tend to segregate themselves in their own communities.
Its a mix of both but its mostly a salad bowl if you ask me, people in america always try to find a way to keep seperate from other people either by race, religion, customs etc.
In reality we are not a special case (Salad bowl vs. Melting Pot) even though many make the case we are. Most every Nation has elements that like to claim that they are the most progressive with respect to they're model or the way they integrate elements of they're society. In reality all societes are still very tribal and competitive by nature and really haven't progressed much further then people of the past. Examples of Separatism, ethnic and religous intolerance are all over world.
The real Just in my opinion is 'are we better off than a more Monolithic culture such as Japan or other other countries?' This is kind of rhetorical because people will find differences between themselves and other regardless if they're of the same Culture, race or religion as they're neighbor. Look at the Caste system in many societies, it's just doesn't work when you want to utilize your entire brain potential of the men and women of your country.
In reality we are not a special case even though many make the case we are. Most every Nation has elements that like to claim that they are the most progressive with respect to they're model or the way they treat elements of they're society. In reality all societes are still very tribal and competitive by nature and really haven't progressed much further then people of the past. Examples of Separatism, ethnic and religous intolerance are all over world.
I found that growing up in NYC decades ago was more melting pot than it is today.
I have an aunt still living there that thinks it's more segregated today then it has ever been.
I found that growing up in NYC decades ago was more melting pot than it is today.
I have an aunt still living there that thinks it's more segregated today then it has ever been.
I can see that. I think when you have such a large influx of Immigrants as we have had in the last 20 years they are more apt to keep they're subculture intact ie, entire towns of one ethnic group. I have friends that grew up in certain parts of LA who said they barely had any contact with White people except for Teachers until they moved to the suburbs. Most of the areas I grew up at in the S/W were typically mixed White/Mex including my family. I don't think I met anyone that claimed to be Jewish/Italian or Irish until I was a teenager. I'm sure that is much more common back east or Chicago.
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. I'm sure that is much more common back east or Chicago.
