Diversity and Cultural Unity in America

JOHNNY HUYNH and DEBORAH CHEN
Staff Writers

Imagine this: there are two apples, one green and one red. They look very different on the outside, but on the inside, they appear to be the same. In essence, this represents the American identity.
Many people in America have come from different places all over the world and therefore celebrate different holidays and have different tastes in music, foods, clothes.
“Heritage is a major influence because it defines who I am. Most Americans descend from some form of non-native lineage and our heritage shapes our daily lives. [Heritage] shapes the way I interact with others, the food I eat, the way I speak and the way I carry myself,” senior Richard Lam said.
When people immigrate from other countries to America, they often bring their own distinct
flavors to existing traditions.
For instance, descendants of far eastern Asian cultures celebrate the Lunar New Year, while there is another nationally recognized observance of the same type of holiday on January 1 every year.
In addition, an international buffet of cuisines can be discovered within a few miles radius or in an aisle of a local supermarket. This shows the result of ethnic variety in the United States, especially in Alhambra, where people of Asian, Latin American, African, European and other ethnic roots coexist.
A person’s culture is shown through their everyday lives. However, as one person starts to live within another culture for an extended period of time, they begin to integrate with other cultures. A person who used to only celebrate Chinese New Year may now also celebrate New Year’s, and other people may try other foods from other cultures they have not tried before.
Everyone is different in some way. While their own culture will always stay with them, other cultures will be assimilated into theirs as well.
“I am more comfortable with my own culture,” junior Christopher Magaña said, “but I donʼt think that it affects the way I am with other people of other cultures.”
According to a statistic done by usatoday.com, it is approximated that one out of eight people in the United States is foreign born.
Over time, immigrants may experience some amount of cultural assimilation as they become more acquainted with other people.
Though everyone may have various origins, there is one thing that everyone shares while claiming the United States as home: “the American dream.” The desire to make one’s place in a “land of opportunities” is ever more prevalent, in spite of any imminent challenges for younger, hopeful generations.
Since people of various cultures can reside in their own separate communities, the overall view of their distinct places give off the impression that the United States is a “salad bowl” of races. Yet, America is a “melting pot,” because there is a sense of assimilation and affirmation in the overall community.
After all, there are grounds of common beliefs and goals. When asked what one may have in common with other Americans, the expectations from a work ethic and education come to mind.
“[I am expected] to always do my best. […] This is something that exists no matter what culture you come from,” Magaña said.