essays revision

Fatema Alsadi

02-06-2020

Melting Pot and Multiculturalism

The melting pot is a model that refers to a dissimilar society which is transformed into a more identical with the diverse essentials fusing together to create a symphonic unit sharing a conjoint culture (Crossman, 2020). In the U.S, the phrase melting pot is often used to refer to the assimilation of the immigrants into the U.S; however, this phrase can be employed in any situation where a new ethos blends with another to co-exist. For instance, in the current past, immigrants from different parts of the world have fashioned melting pots in the United States and Europe. However, this narrative has been challenged by scholars arguing that diverse cultures from different parts of the world should be preserved because they are useful for the identity of a people. Mosaic or a salad bowl is, therefore, a more preferred term meaning different cultures mix although they still retain their distinct cultures.

The U.S.A was founded on the idea of creating a chance for every immigrant; hence this right is protected by the highest courts in the U.S.A. The melting pot terms were initially used in 1788 to define the many different cultures of the Europeans, Asians and Africans that were fusing together to form a formidable new American culture. The melting pot concept lasted in the 19th and 20th century and gave birth to the famous play of 1908, 'The Melting Pot" which intensified the American ideal of a harmonious culture made up of many beliefs. Although, as the world went through world war I and II, Africans started to form the anti-globalist strategy to American morals (Crossman, 2020). Therefore, a big chunk of citizens began calling for the ban of settlers from some countries considering their cultures and religious attributes.

Multiculturalism on the other end can be defined as different cultures within a society having equal opportunities and rights and not one culture is ignored or considered superior (Westfall, 2019). From the provisions of social evolution, it is evident that neither "the melting pot" nor multiculturalism has no flaws or devoid of value.

Considering these two models, the melting pot offers a boundary of individuals from different origins although sharing the same culture, for instance, American culture while multiculturalism is a people sharing the same boundary but uphold their beliefs and customs. The melting pot can have a positive impact when the shared blueprint acts to unify and the people focus their energies for the sake of the challenges affecting the society. Although the melting pot has a challenge in that it does not embrace diversity, it focuses on sameness. Whereas, a society that embraces diversity and utilizing the different strengths from many cultures is likely to strengthen American society (Westfall, 2019). Each and every culture has a contribution to society and a story to tell. In as much as respecting different cultures is crucial, multiculturalism is not a nostrum as not all cultural practices have the same value.

In reality, there are some cultures that should be assimilated when they set foot in America. For instance, there are some cultures that believe women should not have the same rights as men, some belief in female genital mutilation; other cultures offer women younger than 15 years for the marriage to older men. Ideally, all these cultures are not right and melting pot plays a significant role in doing away with such beliefs through following the practices of the dominant culture.

In conclusion, there is no perfect continuum to follow between the two ideals; therefore it is important to consider a blend of the two to form a more solid society that protects the interests of the American people as well as considerable respect to different cultures as they are supreme to the adherents.

References

Crossman, Ashley. (2020). What Is the "American Melting Pot?". Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/melting-pot-definition-3026408

Westfall T. (2019). Melting pot vs multiculturalism. Sterling Journal-Advocate. January 24, 2019, at 9:21 pm