Multiculturalism in the United States

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American society is a boiling cauldron of contradictions in the sphere of ethnic equality and tolerance due to its heterogeneous nature. The diversity of cultures and ethnic groups is, in principle, one of the main characteristics of the United States. This is an abundance of people from different social circles, with dissimilar backgrounds and different cultural and psychological constructions that make up the identity (McNamara & Burns, 2021). Ethnocentricity as a concept implies that there is an idea of a certain single, higher hegemony dominating the territory of national culture. Americas multiculturalism, however, does conflict with ethnocentrism, depending on the historical situation. The collective consciousness of modern Americans is implicitly multicultural and thus cannot be called ethnocentric rather, it is chaotic and not fixed to a single concrete idea. Therefore, there is little evidence that multiculturalism contradicts American identity values.

Is ethnocentrism a characteristic of American culture?

Ethnocentric representation is acceptable as working within the framework of a homogeneous culture in a closed society based on firm attitudes and steady adherence to traditions. However, applying the concept of ethnocentrism to the diverse American culture of modernity, it turns out that this is not an easy task, impossible on the scale of the entire American society. The complex nature of ethnocentrism does not allow it to be projected onto the modern idea of America. It does not fit with the historical myth of America as a country where a person of any culture can come and find themselves. The idea of ethnocentrism in the US only comes up in the vilest cases of racism, discrimination, and police brutality against African Americans or Hispanics. The pride of the American race lies precisely in recognizing itself as a culture that gives complete freedom and equality to other cultures.

Of course, living in a diverse and multicultural society means that even if there are equal freedoms, not only individuals but also groups of people will acquire more power than others. Periodically, it is in this that one can observe the negative manifestations of American ethnocentrism since, in this way, groups identified as minorities can be persecuted and deprived of their rights. Considering that race is not only a set of genetic features but has a social dimension, people of different races and social circles create racial identities for themselves (McNamara & Burns, 2021). Similarly, this creation of ethnic identity extends to other people when they tend to be seen as one or a racial group with specific socio-psychological characteristics.

The concept of ethnocentrism is thus closely linked to racial prejudice. The idea of the dominant value system of a particular ethnic group and its identity, despite its inadmissibility, still prevails in certain areas of American society and civic sentiment. Ethnocentrism blurs the idea of other cultures, as it causes indifference to the many races that are in the spheres collectively called Blacks or Spanish. The main danger of ethnocentrism, then, is not only the potential belief in ones own superiority by virtue of belonging to a race and identifying oneself with it but indifference to the real diversity and difference between other ethnic groups.

Is there any validity to the argument that multiculturalism dilutes the American identity?

Multiculturalism is more a feature of American culture than a problem that erodes American identity. The freedom of races, cultures, and ethnicities to coexist is the pride of American culture, which insists on democratic, inclusive political governance. However, if the country as a subject receives a threat from the outside, such as the September 11 terrorist attacks, the American identity is consolidated as ethnocentric, creating problems for the countrys multicultural image (McNamara & Burns, 2021). In the event of a threat of danger, the formally dominant American ethnic group, that is, those who associate their identity with the American one may be prone to prejudice. Discrimination against people from Middle West clearly demonstrates how multiculturalism can be threatened in the event of a feeling of insecurity within the country. People tend to find strangers in society, those who could be declared an enemy, which is the reason for so many cases of discrimination in American society. Multiculturalism cannot pose a threat to American identity; rather, the ethnocentrism of the United States leads to the eradication of true multiculturalism.

There is nothing shameful in constructing a national identity, looking for something common for the whole people, despite different backgrounds, goals, and values. Critics of multiculturalism, who adhere to the idea of a real national image, arguing that the diversity of ethnic groups and the equality of cultures erodes this identity, underestimate cultural standards (McNamara & Burns, 2021). Those who worry about multiculturalism in American society are even inclined to argue that it destroys the economical integrity of the country, as well as its political power. In their view, only if minorities learn to respect the culture of the majority can they really adapt to American society and become its full elements. The claim that minorities must study the majoritarian culture is implicitly ethnocentric and cannot strengthen the moral character of society. If anything, such an attitude leads to discrimination and hostility towards other ethnic groups since their culture automatically begins to be considered insignificant, not requiring consideration.

The divisions in American society feared by ethnocentrists could be bridged by real beliefs in the power of tolerance and multiculturalist perspective. America, as a country of equal opportunities, constructs its identity precisely through its multiculturalism and the promotion of diversity. Considering ethnic differences requires the search for ethical and value similarities that any educated person has for the harmonious coexistence of society. American ethnocentrism must be evaluated as a concept of generous cultural inclusion that overcoming racial prejudice and impulsive hostility.

Reference

McNamara, R., & Burns, R. (2021). Multiculturalism, crime, and criminal justice. Oxford University Press.

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Is ethnocentrism a characteristic of American culture?

Is there any validity to the argument that multiculturalism dilutes the American identity?

Reference

Is ethnocentrism a characteristic of American culture?

Is there any validity to the argument that multiculturalism dilutes the American identity?