Soror, I have heard the term 'stew' used to express this concept. If we think about it, a stew has many large chunks of the ingredients; while all ingredients are combined, they retain their identity and add their own unique flavor to the pot. Whereas a 'melting pot' implies assimilation into one w/o retaining any of the original identity.
Historically, the US has been referred to as a melting pot and I beleive that is exactly what was meant. But in this age of 'multiculturalism' a 'stew' would be a more accurate description. WOuld you agree?
Quote:
Originally posted by Kimmie1913:
Many Africana scholars reject the concept of the melting pot on based on a sense that it implies assimilation- all pieces blending together to become a different whole. Conceptually, melting things togethre gets rid of their individual characteristics and makes them something new. Those who are for each person being able to maintain their cultural identity feel that melting pot is not the analagy for the reality they seek.
What is the true muli-culturalism you speak of? That is a phrase I can see many people interpreting differently. I interpret multi-culturalism in a societal sense to mean a place where people of various ethnic and cultural backgrounds live together, side by side without inequities based on their culture or ethnicity. When I say side by side, I do not mean literally necessarily. I think thing can be great without requiring integration of every neighborhood. I do not think it is in anyway the same as the melting pot concept, nor would I say any of us could conclude for OUR ancestors that the melting pot is what they felt their struggle was about. Freedom from persecution and a life without persecution but that offers the opportunity to succeed for thier children does not automatically translate into multiculturalism or the melting pot. I also believe that a multi-cultural society as a goal is a long way off for the United States. Our history began on such an uneven field there is no way that only 30+ years could undo the social, psychological, economic and cutlural effects. I mean, my own mother did not gain the reight to vote until she was 24. Her generation truly achiieved in spite of efforts to hold them back rather than becuase of opportunity that was readily available to them. I beleive in many ways this country keeps African-Americans in a position where we are continually forced to achieve in spite of. So in many ways it does not matter whether anyone likes it or not, multi-culturalism is not exactly coming down the pike full speed ahead.
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