When discussing the subject of immigration, a common issue that comes up is the question of “identity”. Does an immigrant identify more strongly with his or her “motherland”, or with the United States? From the beginning, America has been a place where people of all ethnic groups bond together for the pursuit of liberty. A common symbol I have heard growing up is the term “melting pot”. Yet, after reading these two selections by Walzer and Steinberg, it seems as though there is a much more complex way to define our American culture.

“What Does It Mean To Be An American?” by Michael Walzer

In this selection, we learn about the multidimensional character of the modern American citizen. America is described as a “nation of coexistence” rather than a “nation of nationalities”. Since we are a nation of coexistence, we don’t have a strong ethnic culture like other countries. Many may be American politically, and may have even been born here, yet they ultimately know that their roots are elsewhere. Ethnic traditions and beliefs are sustained in the family home and in neighborhoods of similar ethnic groups, yet support for the liberal Democratic framework of American politics is evident. Thus, a sort of hybridization has occurred where cultures are sharply defined and yet are still inherently American. This has led to the creation of the “hyphenated American”.

“The Melting Pot and the Color Line” By Stephen Steinberg 

This selection also deals with the question of if America is truly a melting pot or not. This reading questions whether or not hyphenated Americans wil endure in today’s times, or if we are just in a long process of assimilation. There is a suggestion that a mestizo America may one day exist due to the high rates of interracial marriage, and perhaps there will indeed one day be an America that can be described with the “melting pot” metaphor. However, this will still be very difficult due to the still present differences between white and African-American cultures.

Reaction

When reading these, I couldn’t help but think of our cultural autobiography assignment. In terms of ethnicity, I’m not quite sure what my identity would be. I am many nationalities (not the traditional hyphenated American). I’m Irish, Scottish, British, Norwegian, German, and Hungarian (just to name a few). So, I suppose I don’t have as strong of roots to another country. In essence, I simply feel “American”. Yet, I find it very fascinating that the America and New York that we live in today has such culture in it. I identified better with the second reading and the possibility of a strongly blended America, yet I can also understand the mindset of hyphenated Americans wanting to perserve their culture. It is this constant clash of past versus present and old traditions versus new ones that makes defining the identity of an American highly complex. One American is not exactly the same as another. Yet, that is also what creates the highly energized and exciting character of America and New York, and I’m excited to delve deeper into this topic this semester.