The book, “All the Nations Under Heaven: an Ethnic and Racial History of New York City” highlights the diversity of New York City, both in its infancy and through to present day. I find most interesting the way the inhabitants of the Big Apple have comes to live together in harmony whilst also keeping their particular roots. Just as many different facets of life in the big city attracted many different kinds of people in the past, it has continued to do so: the chance for economic gain; the desire to begin life anew in a more accepting culture; the drive to explore the many different lifestyles that can thrive in New York City. Reading the book has made me wonder, however, about the validity of calling the United States and, more narrowly, New York City a melting pot; it seems instead not to mesh cultures together but rather to allow them to coexist. For example, though many Irish immigrants came to New York City, there was a rift between the Protestants and Catholics, and as such the two groups developed apart. Similarly, many differing cultures in this city have continued to keep their distinctions, learning instead to live in harmony. This thought raises the question: can New York City ever become a true melting pot, or will it forever be a mixed salad? And, more importantly, which would contribute to the culture more? If asked, I’d say the many histories existing in one place only serve to enrich the beauty of this city.