America continues to serve as home to a growing population of ethnic cultures. We embrace its ethnic diversity as a strength. Yet, we question "Should America's Ethnic differences be emphasized?" Your answer is based on whether you accept the idea that American culture is the combined influence of its ethnic heritages, or whether you believe American culture is distinctly British/European?
If you support the latter idea, as did the drafters of the Bill of Rights, you believe that all other groups who have immigrated to America, after the first Europeans are culturally different - by ethnicity, (they are non-European) are ethnic minorities (small in number and lacking social status) are different in their lifestyles, economic status, religious practices, dress, diet, language and social behaviors. Also "they" look "funny" too; they should assimilate to the customs of the European majority. You should answer the question "No."
If you examine the arguments of skeptics and opponents of a workable multi-ethnic society, you are likely to be convinced that American culture will not survive ethnic and racial loyalties. That emphasizing ethnic differences can only serve to divide us. You can easily believe that language, religion and other social customs of America's culture will be supplanted by the national customs of ethnic groups who huddle together and insist on their cultural customs as a way of life. If you believe this, again you should answer "No" to the question.
You should know that these same arguments have been used against immigration, passage of civil rights laws and multicultural education, to cite a few. Keep in mind, these and other related arguments have been kept alive in an effort to continue to spread the influence of British/European culture.
While these perceptions are accurate they do not support the negative position on the question. Before firmly committing yourself to an answer on the question of emphasizing ethnic differences, consider the fact that the history and culture of North America did not begin with the arrival of the first Europeans; that the earliest European inhabitants were themselves, ethnic immigrants.
Native American inhabitants already had established a flourishing culture in a highly civilized society, by the time of their arrival. Although historians want you to forget, you have to remember that the natives were stripped of their lands and forced to accept the cultural customs of the newcomers. These fears may be well grounded.
You have to consider the fact that the influences of Native American culture is evident in America's present-day Culture. It is clearly evident in farming and environmental protection and cannot be easily dismissed. By the same token, you can't dismiss the influence of other immigrant cultures upon what we know as American Culture (i.e. diet. language, religion music, etc..) So, in that vain, answer "Yes" to the question.
While there are various schools of thought which argue both sides of the question of ethnic emphasis, this thought prevails: If we are to co-exist in this society, as one people, rather than as a nation of ethnic groups -culturally divided and if this society is to fully realize its creed of "liberty and justice for all," ethnic emphasis is only "just" recognition of the parts that make the whole of America's culture. Again your response to that age old question, is "Yes." Know however, that a Yes position raises another question: " Are those differences significant enough to keep us culturally divided?
The true test of our abilities to co-exist as a nation of one people, is to recognize that there are cultural differences among us as a multi- ethnic society. These differences should be understood, exchanged and celebrated. It should be realized that these differences create our national identity as Americans. One's contributions to the nation's economy, to its defense and to the over-all growth and development of a strong nation should speak of each person's commitment to a national culture that is distinctly American .
