If many people say America is a "melting pot", why do others get mad when immigrants want to keep their---

Question

culture? There are answers that say "America is a giant melting pot." But then there are answers that say "Immigrants have to assimulate and follow our culture." I am confused. What should I do? In Cuba, we did not have this problem.

Answer 1

don't manipulate it to mean what you want it to. America is a melting pot of culture. Which actually means when immigrants came to America, they let go of their culture and all banded together to create one American culture. They did not come waving flags....

Answer 2

The idea of a melting pot is the same thing as assimilating and following the culture of the U.S. It is about becoming one nation with one language. When others immigrated to the US they became United States citizens and the generations that they bore became immersed in U.S. culture and language. They did not need to have bilingual teachers for their offspring because they emphasized the importance of learning English. This did not mean that they totally gave up the culture in which they came. It just meant that they understood that to make it in America, they would have to assimilate to the ways of the land while making the culture of their previous land a private affair.

Answer 3

What is it to be an American?
For the future answer let's look to the past.


Between 1890 and 1920 some 18 million new citizens came to America . Their goal? To have the life they were denied in their homeland. To that end, they wanted to become American citizens as quickly as they could so they would not risk being deported. Then they went about the task of becoming Americans. But, what does that mean? What does it mean to be an American?

At the beginning of the last century, becoming an American meant assimilating into the American way of life, the American culture. And for many that meant giving up their old way of life. It meant giving up their language and their customs and many times even their accents. No one wanted to be thought of as a foreigner. It was very difficult on these immigrants because the people that were already here did not want them. They were afraid of losing their jobs because these new people would work for less pay and more hours. And they were right. And that made assimilation that much more important.

Today America is experiencing an import of immigrants of such major proportions that is rivals that of the last century. The question is; has anything changed? On the surface, it doesn't look like it. But, dig a little deeper and you start to see huge differences. For one, most of the people that came to Ellis Island were white Europeans. Today over half are Latin or Spanish speaking people. And like it or not it is harder to fit in when you look different.

Another big difference is in the word, Assimilation. Last century it was the norm. Today, the new immigrants are fighting it. Why? Because of what the word assimilation is perceived to mean. To most Americans the word means what it did in the last century, i.e. give up your old life and take up a new, americanized one. And that is exactly what the new immigrants are fighting. They don't want to give up their culture or their language or anything else that pertains to their way of life. Many of them are even saying they don't want to be an American because of that word and what it means to them.

So, what do we do? Do we as Americans say to them, if you don't like it go home? (Unfortunately, many are saying just that) Or do we as Americans, many of us second and third generation immigrants ourselves, come up with a different meaning for the word? Or come up with a whole new word. A whole new way of looking at what it means to be an American? Well, let's look at the word, assimilation, for a moment. The dictionary defines it as this: to learn and understand. That's all. To learn and understand. No giving up anything. No throwing away any languages or cultures or way of lives. Just learning and understanding.

So, what is it that we need to learn and understand in order to be a good American? And how do we do it without giving up our way of life? The answer is a relatively simple and short document. The Constitution of the United States, that incredible piece of paper that the entire structure of the United States is built on. Take a moment and read it. You won't be sorry. It says, in short, that everyone who is a citizen has the same opportunity to have the life they want as does the next citizen. And the laws we make today convey and protect that right.

So the next time you wonder if you are an American or even want to be, remember the Constitution and think of all the countries in the world that don't have it and the kind of life they offer. And when you have read it and understand it you can tell anyone and everyone what it is to be an American and you are proud to be here and to do your part in protecting it and what it stands for.

Answer 4

In Cuba, you only have one culture.

When Americans say that immigrants need to assimilate, they mean that we will accept their culture and integrate it into our general culture, and immigrants need to do the same.

I, like most Americans, love new restaurants with exotic food and lovely new music and colors and traditions. I welcome people with strong family values and work ethic who will respect our laws and prosper.

BUT, there are two big cultural values that this country is based on that too many Latino immigrants cant or won't adopt.

Respect for the law and self sufficiency.

Latino immigrants often have the idea that this is not their permanent home so they don't need to learn the language or respect the laws or pay their own way. They are here to get as much money as they can. Period. They will lie and cheat to get it and they don't care who ends up paying the bill. They act like they are going home even after they have spent twenty years in this country. They are basically saying to us "Screw the US, the only thing this country can do for me is give me money, my loyalty will remain with my country".

That is offensive.

Answer 5

Because the fact that America is a "melting pot" means that it is a combination of various cultures who all contribute to one unique American culture. If the new immigrants refuse to integrate/assimilate into the melting pot, then they´re not a part of it are they?

Answer 6

In Cuba, you had only one culture and under the dictator, you had no choice.

Now that you are in America, why are you not willing to assimilate? If you do not wish to be an American, then may I suggest you consider the possibility of returning to your prior home, Cuba. With Castro dying, perhaps you could go there and make a difference.

There is an old saying. "When in Rome, do as the Romans". Let us extend that to mean that when in America, assimilate.

Answer 7

There are some cultures who practice things that are against the law here. There are some cultural practices that infringe on the rights of others. There is a give and take and respect that is also required in order for people to get along. In some cases it's not forbidden, only limited as to where you can do your cultural thing.

In Cuba I doubt you had people from so many nations as we do here. Everyone cannot run around and do whatever they please and use "it's my culture" as an excuse. In some tribes in Africa women don't wear tops. Culture or not you can't go running around the streets here or show-up for work without your top. In China they eat cats......sorry, against the law here. They might kill their own cat and eat it at home maybe, atleast till they get caught ......but they can't serve it to us or give that as an excuse for killing your kitty. In some cultures they just have to say "I divorce you" 3 x's and your divorced. Ain't gonna cut it here. No one has the "right" to practice all their cultural practices without regard for others and our laws.

Answer 8

If you are confused about the American culture and feel that Cuba did not have this problem, then go back to Cuba.
Problem solved and you know the culture.

Answer 9

america is a melting pot because people from every other nation on earth come here. there are many reasons, freedom of many kinds, economic etc.

I do not believe that all americans think you "should or "have to" assimilate and follow our culture," though I do believe you should "fit in." it is like this.....if I came to cuba, I would expect to HAVE TO LEARN THE LANGUAGE!!!!! would I expect all cubans to learn english, no!!!!! however most people that come here NOW, have no clear understanding of english, no desire to learn english.....and it is taxing our system and changing "our way of life." I do not believe it is "unreasonable" to ask someone coming to a new country to learn the language, and try to fit in.

no one here will make them change their religion, no one will stop them from trying to become a millionaire and making economic progress, no one will stop them from getting an education.....amercia is all about keeping your own identity!!! that is the key!

so whoever is telling you these things, it is not true. come to the US, learn the language so you can FUNCTION here, and try to fit in. no one cares about your color, your religion, what music you like.....none of that matters. people in the US care about people, otherwise we would not let so many immigrate, it is as simple as that; but again......if you come here, come LEGALLY, do not tax our systems, and be polite enough to know the language, so you can function!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 10

I think the part where some people get frusterated is when some immigrant refuse to learn about American culture. I agree with you in that immigrants should maintain their culture. But, if you're living in the US, you should be able to speak English, thats the language we speak here. And while people should still carry their own culture, they should be familiar with the American culture if they're going to live here.