During the attacks of 9/11, the people of the United States once more shared a unified identity, a wholesome approach. This unified approach is what many call "patriotism" (Huntington 330). Since the very start of the country, "American's have been a flag-oriented people" (Huntington, 330), meaning the country prides itself on its sense of unity an identity. It is important that people identify themselves as being American, because doing anything else would suggest the person was not patriotic. It is important ethnic, racial and "gender identities" as outlined in the Bedford Reader (p.331) are acknowledged, but they must not become more important than the national identity. If they do, the United States may be at risk for internal strife. People may lose their sense of loyalty to the country, and this historically has led to civil wars and other disasters. The United States and the people living within have no reason to fight each other. They should stand in support of unified goals which include "freedom for all" as stated in the Constitution (Newman 9). Rhea notes that often it takes "heroism" or deeds one may consider heroic before people "approve of a national identity" (Rhea 10). Because this country was founded on heroism, many believe in hero's and hail individuals willing to step up to the plate and put their life at risk for a common cause (Rhea, 1997). When people fail to do this, they present opportunities for risk, for violence, for disunity and terrorism to leach into the happy world in which they once lived.
The Bedford Reader quotes Maya Angelou, who provided more than twenty seven different ethnic and cultural groups within the United States, suggesting that the rise in violence can always be associated with "cynicism of peoples living in a country" in this case the United States (Angelou, A14; Hunington, 333). This notion is echoed by many others including Spencer (1999) who notes the lack of unity prevalent during various times in American history has always lead to "violence" or dis-union among the American people (p.4). "Politics" according to Spencer, have always influenced the identity or lack thereof in the United States (p.55). Never before have so many people for example, expressed racist sentiment at the idea of an "African-American" or woman as president of this nation (Spencer, 56). This is because far too often people forget that the United States is not about identity, it is about unity. The very name of this country is founded on this concept; the American people live in the "United" states, not the "divided" ones (Spencer, 1999). Part of the problem in politics is the habit of federal agents relying on statistics that often classify people "by race and color" or by ethnicity rather than...
These examples show how clothing and fashion generate and support the social construction of a particular reality in a certain historical period. The uniform of the Chinese people in the Maoist period was a factor in enforcing ideological perceptions in much the same way as the Japanese aristocracy promoted the idea of social status and class through fashion and appearance. The Maoist uniform was effective as a means of
Japanese music around the world, as well as the impact of world music on the evolution of Japanese culture focusing on the post-war period. Using Web searches and Google Scholar searches related to post-war Japanese music, including specific search terms like "enka" and "Beatles in Japan," the researchers collected a series of primary and secondary sources showing how music in Japan evolved throughout the 20th century like a dramatically
Canadian National Identity and Canadian Hockey The Canadian administrative system in place has endorsed the national identity of Canada with hockey. Back in 90s, when the then Prime Minister of Canada, Chretien, started trade diplomacy with other countries, he always declared every participant as part of the Canadian Team. In the tenure of the same Prime Minister, an ex-National Hockey League player and icon, Frank Mahovlich was chosen as a senator.
Cultural and National Identity In the midst of globalization, cultures are coming together unlike ever before. As a result, refugees and immigrants are faced with challenging circumstances that threaten to weaken their national or cultural identity. This essay will explore two examples of how individuals strive to maintain their identity in this new and changing world. In Cyberspace in Diaspora, we learn about the Eritrean Diaspora and how they are using
Slavophilia and National Identity in Russia Slavophilia is the love of "Mother Russia" that every true Russian feels for his native country. This love is not founded in any absurd or materialistic attachment to the country, but rather to the spiritual and natural goodness of the country -- its morality, its religion, its land, its simplicity and the virtues of peasants. These concepts are what form the basis of the Russian
Identity Social identity is a means to an end, the end being the maintenance of a community with flexible but strong boundaries. Ultimate objectives of social identity therefore include mutual protection against perceived threats, and strategic sharing of resources. This is why social identity often transcends geographic boundaries; in a globalized world, geo-political boundaries are actually less significant than social identity. The concept of social identity therefore becomes strongly connected with
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