rinu 22 aug multiculturalism in america
TRANSCRIPT
MULTICULTURALISM IN UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Paper 2: Cultural StudiesUnit 3: Ethnicity and Identity
20 Aug 2014
Rinu Krishna K.MPhil 2014-15
Institute of English
Introduction
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Multiculturalism is the cultural diversity of communitieswithin a given society and the policies that promote thisdiversity. It is the co-existence of diverse cultures, peacefullyand equitably in a single country, and is manifested incustomary behaviours, cultural assumptions and values,patterns of thinking, and communication styles.
As a philosophy, multiculturalism began as part of thepragmatism movement at the end of the nineteenth century inEurope and the United States, then as political and culturalpluralism at the turn of the twentieth. It was partly in responseto a new wave of European imperialism in sub-Saharan Africaand the massive immigration of Southern and EasternEuropeans to the United States and Latin America.
Introduction
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United States is one of the worlds most ethnically diverse and multicultural nations.
US has developed as a country through the many vast races and ethnic backgrounds that have come to these shores and made it their home. Most Americans have Irish, German, Russian, Scottish, English, Polish, Serbian, French, Italian, Croatian, Scandinavian, Asian and African descendants.
In the US, multiculturalism has promoted the socio-economic life of the American society.
The United States of America/United States (US)/America
Discovered by Columbus in 1492 Named after the Italian explorer Amerigo
Vespucci Located in North America bordering the
Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean Neighbouring countries are Canada and
Mexico Mountains in the west, a broad central plain
and low mountains in the east A constitutional federal republic with a
strong democratic tradition – 50 states and a federal district
Capital – Washington DC Largest city – New York 318 Million people One of the worlds most ethnically diverse
and multicultural nations.
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The United States of America
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Who are Americans?
Citizens of USA – Americans do not equate their nationality with ethnicity but with citizenship.
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Brief History of American Ancestors
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The Native Americans
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Indigenous people of the Americas
Pre Columbian inhabitants of North, South and Central America – the Paleo Indians.
They migrated from Eurasia (Siberia) via Beringia, at least 13500 years ago.
They diversified into many hundreds of culturally distinct nations and tribes.
The Mesoamerican civilization and culture
Farmers, hunters and gatherers.
Indigenous languages
Democracy
‘Red Indians’
The Native Americans
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Culture and achievements
Mesoamerican civilizations
Accomplishments in civic and monumental architecture
Discoveries in astronomy and mathematics
Distinct religion and mythology
Complex social hierarchies
The Iroquois League of Nations
Writing systems
Advanced methods of agriculture and farming.
Music – flutes, drums and fiddles
Art – pottery, painting, jewelry, beadwork and sculpture
Tenochtitlan – Aztecs largest city
The European Colonization
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Early Conquests and Colonies
Spanish expedition by Christopher Columbus (1492, Bahamas)
Portuguese (Amerigo Vespucci, 1499) in the 15th
Century
English (John Cabot, 1497, New Foundland) in the 15th
Century
French (Verrazzano, 1524, east coast) in the 16th Century
Russian, Sweden, Dutch and Denmark colonies
Results
Trade with Indians
Christianity
Diseases and indigenous population loss
Indentured servants from Europe, Africa & Asia
The Atlantic slave trade
The late 19th Century and the 20th Century
Industrialism, World Wars & the American Dream
Industrial Revolution
Civil War and the Abolition of slavery
The Gilded age
The World Wars
The Cold War
American Imperialism
Counter Culture Revolution
Women’s rights & the Sexual Revolution
The American dream
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The Melting Pot / The Salad Bowl
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The Melting Pot
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White American (racial majority) – from Europe & Middle East
Native American and Alaska Native – North, Central & South America
African American (racial minority) – from Sub-Saharan Africa
Asian American – Far East & Indian Subcontinent
Native Hawaiian - Pacific Islanders (Polynasia, Melanesia and Micronesia)
Some Other Race – Multi racial ancestry
USA officially recognizes six ethnic and racial categories:
The Melting Pot
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The Melting Pot a fusion of nationalities, cultures and ethnicities
Americanization
Miscegenation
Nativism
The Racial Masquerade
Cultural Pluralism
The Salad Bowl
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American Multiculturalism
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American Multiculturalism
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is not a policy established by the Federal law.
One America in the 21st Century
accepted as an official policy
Has its side-effects
American Multiculturalism
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White American Culture
High Culture
Hippies
American English
Apple Pie
Superman
Hollywood
Rock Music
Madonna
American Multiculturalism
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African American Culture
Harlem Renaissance
Jazz Age
Cultural movement of the 1960s & 70s
Language
Literature
‘Cool’
Oprah
American Multiculturalism
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Asian American Culture
Immigrants & refugees
Heterogeneous
Holistic
Family Solidarity
Kung Fu
Sushi
Literature & Popular Culture
American Multiculturalism
Lazania and Tortillas
Rodeo
Tango, Samba, Cha cha
Muralism
Literature
Film
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Latin American Culture
American Multiculturalism
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Native American Culture
Indian Country
Native American Renaissance
Tonto & The Lone Ranger
“Dances with the Wolves”
“Love Medicine”
World Eskimo Indian Olympics
The National Museum of the American Indian
American Diversity
Sexual diversity Religious differences Age Physical Abilities Rural & Metro Political beliefs Military & Civil differences Linguistic Utility Differences Life stage differences Lifestyle and affluence Core values Diversity within diversity
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American Identity
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American Identity
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American MulticulturalismA Topic of debate
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Americans They are the citizens of America
Americans come in all colours, have all types of religions, and speak many languages from all over the world.
Americans are extremely independent, individualistic, and like to be different from each other.
Americans believe in freedom of choice.
Americans need a lot of “elbow room”; they like personal space around them.
Many people, especially teenagers, wear strange clothes, and many have tattoos and body piercings.
Americans follow the rule of law.
Discriminating against or making any insulting statement about someone else’s religion or ethnicity is against the law and could be punishable as a hate crime.
In most states, it is illegal to buy cigarettes /alcohol if you are under the age of 18 and often you can only smoke in certain places.
Americans are extremely informal and call most people by their first name or nickname.
Americans smile a lot and talk easily to strangers, sharing personal stories.
Americans don’t push or stand too close to anyone in line. They always wait their turn.
Polite Americans eat with one hand while the other one is under the table on their laps.
Americans have parties for many reasons. Sometimes they are held for friends to get together and to meet new people.
Never ask Americans a direct question about their religion, age, money, salary, weight, or dress/suit size.
Men should not make any “sexist” remarks to or about women—anything that would make women unequal to men.
It is normal for American women to have male friends who are just friends (and vice versa).
American parents speak to their children as adults and teach them how to be responsible for their actions.
Americans love their pets, sometimes more than they love people.
Domestic violence is against the law. It is illegal to hit anyone: a spouse, a parent, a child, and even a pet. 11/25/2014 Rinu Krishna K Mphil 2014-15 27
THANK YOU
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Bibliography
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Lobo, Susan. Native American Voices. A Reader. Longman.
Print.
Dr. A. Sivaramasubramonia Aiyer Memorial Committee.
Literary Studies. Coleridge’s Concept of Culture. Print.
Cohen, Henry. The American Experience: Approaches to
the study of the United States. University of Pennsylvania.
Print.
Page, Evelyn. American Genesis. Print
Taylor, Jared. Multiculturalism and American Future. You
Tube. Internet.
Colebuck, Claire. New Literary Histories. Second Edition.
Print.
Wikipedia. Internet.