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American Myths and Realities

Many people contend that the multi-racial, multi-ethnic character of America, a nation of immigrants from its very beginning, has created a "melting pot" in which diverse peoples are equally acculturated, assimilated, and advanced (Johnson, 1997). This ethos or definition of American culture has been accepted by many as a form of "conventional wisdom," but in reality, it is not correct. Racial, ethnic, cultural and linguistic divides continue to permeate all layers of American society. Racial profiling by police, disparate incarceration rates and sentence lengths based on race and ethnicity, residential segregation and red-lining, excusive clubs and enclaves for the whit Judeo-Christian majority รป all of these are indicators that a melting pot has not been achieved.

Eric Foner (1998) noted that racial, ethnic, linguistic, socio-economic and ideological divides are remarkably persistent despite efforts to eliminate them. The melting pot image suggests that often very significant differences between peoples can disappear over time, creating a relatively homogenous society with respect to certain values, norms and beliefs. The American society, political system and economy cannot be characterized as having achieved this goal as long as racism and discrimination flourish.

Social psychologists such as Baron and Byrne (2000) argue that a democratic society works in principle to ensure that all men enjoy equality. Equality under the law is a fundamental tenet of the American democratic system which is reflected in universal suffrage, a free public education, and programs designed to ensure that the most disadvantaged members of society are able to maximize their achievements through education and training. Johnson (1997) suggests that American democratic values are not always readily apparent in society. For example, individuals born into poverty or minority groups simply do not enjoy the advantages tha

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American Myths and Realities. (1969, December 31). In LotsofEssays.com. Retrieved 16:53, March 28, 2024, from https://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/1693350.html