Verified Document

Polyethnism According To The Random Term Paper

Dolle (PAGE) emphasizes the influences these cultural histories have on all Americans. He points out that culture is not a static thing but a dynamic entity, constantly changing in response to influences from within and without. While one might think of him or herself as "White," or Lutheran, or male or female, or "second generation Chinese," or Bosnian, all of those labels tell only part of the truth of an individual. Is the Lutheran the child of immigrants from Germany? From Scandinavia? Is that person who self-describes as "second generation Chinese" a person looking to adopt the larger American culture, or trying hard to hold on to Chinese heritage? Does that person's parents want that individual to assimilate or maintain family traditions? If a person self-describes as Bosnian, does this mean Bosnian as a sub-culture of central Europe, or Bosnian only in legal identity on the individual's passport, technically coming from the country of that name but identifying with, say, Serbian culture?

Ultimately, the answers to these questions can only be personal. If a person could be called "fourth generation Irish," have all influences from those roots faded? Perhaps the person has...

Patrick's Day and visiting Ireland to see the country of origin. But unless all of that person's ancestors were also Irish, the person can't claim to be 100% Irish, and what if some of those ancestors were from Northern Ireland while some were from the Republic of Ireland?
In many countries of the world today, and not just the United States, "polyethnic" means more than living in a culture where many cultures are represented. To some greater or lesser degree, it means that all the individuals in that culture have absorbed some aspect of the other cultures around him or her. In this global village, we are all polyethnic.

Bibliography

Dolle, Raymond F. 1995. "A Mixed Race: Ethnicity in Early America. African-American Review, March 22.

Girgus, Sam B. 1993. "The new ethnic novel and the American idea." College Literature, October.

Oliphant, Andries Walter. 2004. "Fabrications and the question of a National South African Literature." Journal of Literary Studies, June.

Random House. Random House Unabridged Dictionary. New York: 1997.

Sources used in this document:
Bibliography

Dolle, Raymond F. 1995. "A Mixed Race: Ethnicity in Early America. African-American Review, March 22.

Girgus, Sam B. 1993. "The new ethnic novel and the American idea." College Literature, October.

Oliphant, Andries Walter. 2004. "Fabrications and the question of a National South African Literature." Journal of Literary Studies, June.

Random House. Random House Unabridged Dictionary. New York: 1997.
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Culture and Subculture P. 6-8 a Culture
Words: 905 Length: 3 Document Type: Essay

culture and subculture (p. 6-8) A culture is a "community or population sufficiently large enough to be self-sustaining," in that it can be self-perpetuating (p. 6). There are four main elements of culture, according to Hofstede: symbols, rituals, values, heroes, and myths (p. 6). These elements of culture are transmitted via formal institutions like schools and also informally via peers and family members. Identifying with culture helps to create a

Subculture Is One That Can
Words: 1274 Length: 5 Document Type: Term Paper

He noted that they include the following; naturalness, practicalness, thinness, accessibleness and immethodicalness. In conclusion, he noted that common sense is a by product, waste or what is left behind after art, science, law, ideology, religion, mathematics, technology and even epistemology and ethics have been exhausted by our minds. Hebrige (1979) perspective of culture Hebrige (1979) noted that our perception of style is actually a subculture in itself. A summary and analysis

Sub-Culture That I Can Think of That
Words: 635 Length: 2 Document Type: Essay

sub-culture that I can think of that had a different value system other than that demonstrated in mainstream America was the so-called hip hop culture. I refer to this culture and its value system in the past tense despite the fact that it is still existent today. However, its value system has become decidedly mainstream, and is the same version of capitalist conformity that is largely found throughout the

Gangs As Culture and Subculture Gangs Are
Words: 2103 Length: 5 Document Type: Essay

Gangs as Culture and Subculture Subculture Gangs are a global presence. There are gangs in nearly every culture. While they are variations in intentions and behaviors, there are general patterns and basic characteristics of all gangs. The paper will briefly explore the definition of gangs, the history of gangs, the effects of them both locally & globally, as well as the reactions from the communities in which they gangs reside and conduct

Policing Subculture
Words: 884 Length: 3 Document Type: Research Paper

Police Subculture- Add on Response Nathan, I enjoyed reading your perspective and can relate to much of what you have expressed. Your explanation of the life cycle of a police career provided a clear and concise way of explaining this stressful aspects of law enforcement. I agree with your opinion on patience and its importance on keeping a balanced and clear mind while engaged in stressful policing activities. Your summary was

Internet Teen Subculture Internet Sociology:
Words: 1133 Length: 3 Document Type: Term Paper

Both of the boys were good students called "brilliant" by their peers and referred to as "really nice." (Cullen, 1999; paraphrased) III. MEDIA STUDY SPONSORED NATIONAL ONLINE TEEN OUTREACH The Techtalk website reported in March 2000 that a "national outreach program to encourage conversations among teenagers and leading educators about popular culture and media convergence" took place. This program rose spurred by the Columbine High School event in 1999 and is

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now