Cultural Diversity Pawell Habia SOC 1101 Gabriel Bamana
Diversity and Immigration Pawell Habia.
The United States of America that we all inhabit and work in is a collection of an abundance of things. From events to food to monuments. The most unique and distinct factor about the USA, however, is the theory of the American dream. The Oxford English Dictionary defines the American dream as “the ideal that every citizen of the United States should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative”. Whether the theory is in accordance with reality is subjective, and although many individuals have different definitions of the American dream, the central thought is similar to this statement,…show more content… The USA’s culture is composed of multiple cultures, and it has maintained this standard since its inception. It is simply incorrect to state that American culture is not influenced by immigration. The most evident impact immigration has on the USA is racially. The USA is a land with high levels of racial diversity. To contextualize, in accordance to the US Census Bureau, 58.9% of the US population is White (alone, not Hispanic or Latino), 19.1% of the population is Hispanic/Latino, 13.6% of the population is African American/Black(alone, not Hispanic or Latino), and 6.3% of the population is Asian (alone). There are other groups as well, such as Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, and more. We can see that minority groups represent an estimated 41% of the population, and immigration historically has been fuel for diversity, specifically with Hispanic/Latino. About 19.8 million, or one-third, of all Hispanic/Latinos living in the U.S. were born outside the country. In addition to racial diversity, another key representation of American culture being influenced by immigration is in one of the main forms of culture, language. Although it is spoken in the USA in English, it is disingenuous to mark it as the sole official language. Only 78% of Americans speak strictly English at home, and more than 350+ languages are spoken in the USA. To contextualize, nearly 1 out of 4…show more content… From its inception, the nation has been a melting pot of peoples, cultures, and traditions, drawing individuals from every corner of the globe in pursuit of opportunity and freedom. While debates surrounding immigration persist, it is undeniable that immigrants have made invaluable contributions to the economic, social, and cultural fabric of the country, and it is important to remember that without immigrants, the country would not be stable economically, culturally, and socially Economically, immigrants form an essential part of the workforce, filling vital roles across various industries and sectors. They bring with them skills, expertise, and entrepreneurial spirit that drive innovation and growth. Without their labor and contributions, key sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and small businesses would struggle to thrive. Culturally, the United States is a vibrant sphere of languages, cuisines, religions, and customs, reflecting the rich diversity of its population. Immigrant communities have enriched American society with their languages, foods, traditions, and values, shaping the nation's identity and collective ethos. From the streets of major cities to the halls of government, the influence of immigration is evident in every facet of American life. Moreover, immigration has been instrumental in fostering racial and
