Ishmael Reed discusses and expands on the concept of the American "melting pot" in his essay "America: The Multinational Society." Citing Yale Professor Robert Thompson, Reed celebrates modern American culture as being a "cultural bouillabaisse" consisting of a rich melange of people from all parts of the world. One of Reed's main points is that historians tend to overemphasize the influence of Western European influences on American culture. The author states that the historical and modern impact of non-European cultures on America is dismissed in popular culture as well. According to Reed, the entire world is condensed into the borders of the United States, from Africa to South America to Asia. The United States is not simply a story of Puritan idealism. Therefore, Reed suggests that all Americans should re-envision the nation not as the pinnacle of "Western Civilization," but as a culmination of all the cultures of the world.
Based on his personal experiences and observations, Reed congratulates the obvious displays of American multinationalism. For example, in his opening paragraph he refers to Detroit's Muslim and Hispanic populations. Reed also mentions bilingual public announcements in Texas and African art on display at a McDonalds as examples of why the United States is a "cultural bouillabaisse."
Reed uses these examples to emphasize the influences of non-European cultures on several aspects of American society. For example, the author notes that Benjamin Franklin, hailed as a founding father of the United States, was influenced by Iroquois political systems, not just by European systems. According to Reed, African, Asian, and Native American societies influenced the evolution of American culture as much as the Europeans did and notes that it is a mistake to discount this fact.
According to Reed, not only is it a mistake to portray America as the ultimate example of "Western Civilization," but also that this viewpoint severely hinders free expression and creativity. Reed reminds his readers that European art, music, and philosophy was also influenced by the cultures of Asia and Africa and that Americans need to congratulate these significant influences.
Reed concludes by criticizing homogeneity. Without acknowledging the cultures of Africa, Asia, and Native America, American society runs the risk of becoming cold, sterile, and robotic. Therefore, the best way to perceive the Untied States, according to Reed, is as a "cultural bouillabaisse," as a rich mixture of intermingling, different but equally as important, civilizations.
Map of New World They say that the winners of wars write history books. When it comes to maps of the world prior to the full discovery and conquering of the world, it could be said that the desired winner of the war and/or conquest of the world write the maps. Indeed, the maps of that day are somewhat, if not wildly, inaccurate. They indeed reflect the desires and presumptions that
This situation influenced populists in Venezuela, Bolivia, and Ecuador, which diminished their power in the region. Chavez' constitutional reform proposition was rejected by referendum, showing that the citizens of Venezuela desire a market-based democracy. In such conditions, it is only a matter of time until this democracy will be installed in the region. The GDP in South America is expected to continue its ascending direction, reaching a 4.3% growth rate
And there is also a clear, seductive appeal of U.S. culture which Kozloff also does not deny. As much as Chavez and company may opposed globalization, there is no escaping the new global economy. Kozloff's book is written from an unapologetically leftist stance. He is a frequent contributor to The Huffington Post, and Revolution! was mainly reviewed by leftist magazines and bloggers. However, it offers an important counterweight to the
This is above the historical average of 2.5% a year. What this shows is that because the different governments are encouraging the development of the region; many countries are being to see increased economic growth. As the continued investments in these areas, have allowed for the opportunity to increase imports to a number of markets around the world including: China and the United States. ("Latin America at Risk") However, the
This work of art depicts a struggle between two ancestors, the Bungalung man and a Tingari man, the latter of whom was trespassing on sacred land (No author). The copious quantity of dots, particularly the white ones, evinces the full force of the elements invoked by the Bungalung Man to beat his opponent into submission. The power of the Bungalung man is evinced by the fact that he leaves
Food History In South America Cuisine This paper examines the cuisine of South America from the perspective of different elements that make the food unique to the region. This paper asks that one examine and investigate the cuisine history taking into consideration the following elements and distinctions: (1) The influence of geographical location on the cuisine, (2) Historically the groups or nations that have impact upon South American cuisine, (3) Practical
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