The answer to this question is no. In fact, the United States is considered a melting pot and known for modern terminologies like “tossed salad.” In early 1600, the first group of colonists arrived from England in Plymouth, Massachusetts. This was followed by the arrival of other nationalities coming from European countries like Spain and France.
The movement of immigrants stepped up following the French Revolution. In the 19th century, millions of European people came to the New World as a result of famines, population explosion and disintegration of rural lands. From this time until the start of the 20th century, America received more foreigners from Germany, Italy, Poland, Ireland, and China.
Federal Holiday
The American Congress created 11 permanent national or federal holidays. However, 30 percent of holidays actually apply to America. The patriotic celebrations relate only to federal employees as well as the District of Columbia. The 50 other states decide on their respective legal holidays. The federal holidays authorized by Congress during the 1870s include Christmas, New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, George Washington’s Birthday, and Proclamation of American Independence. Later on, Memorial Day (formerly known as Decoration Day) and Labor Day were declared federal anniversaries in 1888 and 1894, respectively. Congress proclaimed Armistice Day in 1938 to commemorate end of the First World War. In 1954, the extent of this holiday was expanded to honor American soldiers who fought in World War II and the Korean War. The celebration became known as Veterans Day.
American Indian Culture
The original inhabitants of America are the Native American Indians. They have a very rich culture which unfortunately is dying mainly because of the influx of numerous nationalities and races. These American Indians were made up of different tribes. Unfortunately, inter-marriages, tribal conflicts, epidemics, and various wars led to great loss of lives among the Indian tribes. At present, there are over 500, 000 American Indians in the USA and a few millions scattered all over the rest of the American continent.
Through the years, these people struggled to adjust to modern civilization. Some of them are still living primitively while the rest managed to become affluent. These natives still speak a hundred languages. Some of them finished higher education and became prominent or wealthy. Yet, thousands still live isolated from the modern world and close to starvation. Relocation programs have given employment opportunities to these indigenous citizens but they still need help to become self-sufficient and stable without relinquishing their cultural heritage.
Hostile American Mentality
Americans generally have the mentality of fighters who will rather shoot to protect their lives. This was how American society was built. It is their way of thinking. Americans are hostile or unfriendly and their class system is dependent on money.
However, many Americans are still amiable and easy to deal with. Some people believe the American frame of mind is characterized by the so-called entitlement mentality. They consider privileges as more of rights and a natural outcome. This mentality is one that seldom appreciates sacrifices of others and tends to be very critical. There is failure in accepting actions that bear consequences. People with this kind of mentality are not capable of or not willing to accept mistakes.
American Power
American remains as the most powerful country in the world. There are many challengers to this title such as Russia, China and Europe. Yet, it is still the global leader and will probably be there at the top for the coming decades. The United States is number one in global technology, higher education, business, and finance. It accepts the most number of immigrants and boasts of an enormous trade profile.
America is number one in Foreign Direct Investment two times its nearest competitors and Gross Domestic Product or GDP of $16 trillion which is double that of China. It has the most powerful armed forces worldwide spending $560 billion for military hardware and troops annually.
The stock market of America is an all-time peak which is indicative of its leadership in the world economy. Finally, America democracy is the longest all over the world. Its foreign affairs policy although widely criticized has been a model for many countries in different corners of the world.
American Culture
The American culture is unique. Since it is a melting pot, it is a mix of liberal or broad-minded as well as traditional or conservative elements; religious and scientific competitiveness; free expression; political structures; risk-taking; materialism; and, moral ascendancy. It is the third biggest country in the world with a population of over 320 million citizens. However, it is culturally distinct since many cultures have influenced the American civilization.
With its present status, wealth, influence, and dominance, America needs to be on reverse gear so it can carve some semblance of uniqueness and ethical ascendancy.
