Exposing More Disheartening American Patterns

Exposing More Disheartening American Patterns

The image of the United States brings to mind unity and equality for all. Yet, in thorough examination of the nation's history, it is clear that the real underlying pattern goes directly against this very concept. Although the principle of equality has always been an underlying influence in American culture, the true patterns within the society show a much more fragmented and subjugated culture which has denied millions the very rights and liberties which were said to create it.

There is an observed modern American culture that is a blend of a multitude of races and ethnicities, and it is within this concept that many loose sight of the true divisions which have plagued the nation's history for centuries. According to research, "American polity has instead bee defined by a steady expansion of the definition of those who may be included in it to the point where it now includes all humanity; that the United States has become the first great nation that defines itself not in terms of ethnic origin but in terms of adherence to common rules of citizenship; that no one is now excluded from the broadest access to what the society makes possible," (12). This is, in essence, true. The plethoras of different ethnic groups have in many ways assimilated together in order to create some sort of combined culture. Modern movements have also sought to end the oppression of entire racial groups within the country's interior. The 1960s saw a great wave to unite different races together, and end the segregation of the nation's African-American community. However, it was set that only certain races and ethnicities would be so happily adopted into the American fold; thus leaving a multitude of other races still in the grips of dealing with racism. The nation was built on the notion of freedom of religion. Yet, even this concept soon was tested and exposed for the fallacy that it was. Early in American history, a religious dominance was set, and then subsequently maintained even into today's world. For centuries, Anti-Semitic, and anti-Catholic undertones have dominated American Protestant mainstream culture.

Although many wish to view American history as an open and welcoming opportunistic life for all races and nationalities, this is surely not the case. In fact, most of the nation's history has been blighted with racist policies, genocide, enslavement, and extreme prejudice (12). Despite our modern efforts to look like a society which is ridding itself of modern prejudice, we are in reality just shifting it onto other less obvious groups. We still adopt only chosen ethnicities as our own, excluding many others in the process despite the nation's promise for equality and unity for all.