CULTURAL APPROPRIATION VERSUS CULTURAL APPRECIATION

CULTURAL APPROPRIATION VERSUS CULTURAL APPRECIATION

By Domenick J. Maglio Ph.D. Traditional Realist

We have been in the middle of a culture war for the minds of Americans for many decades. Traditionally people came to the United States from other countries to forge better lives for their families. The newly arriving immigrants kept most of their old country customs for the initial years. Most of these first generation Americans spoke broken English, a mixture of native tongues and English phrases to communicate in business transactions and later in social ones.

Their children were educated in English speaking classes and often acted as interpreters for their parents. These first generation children became immersed with their English speaking friends. They became accustomed to new foods and traditions of other Americans but especially fully assimilated citizens. These adult and peer expressions, mannerisms and interests were important in learning how to transition into being American.

Surprisingly, if you ask fourth generation immigrants many may not know from where their ancestors immigrated. They have been totally assimilated as Americans yet at closer examination of their lifestyles there are some remnants of their ancestor’s emphasis on certain customs, moral values, beliefs, socialization and traditions which they were exposed to in family interactions. For the most part they consider themselves totally American. They are the products of the melting pot process that have made ours the vibrant great nation by introducing subtle nuanced thinking and behavior into our culture.

Then came the progressive’s “salad bowl” formula of how new immigrants, legal and illegal, should be treated. Instead of having to experience the initial government tests to permit them to become fully assimilated citizens, they are given a pass. These illegal immigrants are not supposed to learn US history or speak English as it could be too much of a hardship for them.

The progressives relentlessly say, “diversity is our strength” in order to show that these citizens who are not enthusiastic patriotic Americans are still totally acceptable. They insist that immigrants should retain their foreign cultural identity to insure they remain different. They demand youngsters who enter public school be taught in their native language and be exposed to the virtues of their ancestors’ culture. This diversity approach, revising the truth or glossing over the suffering the ancestors endured in their original homeland lessen their appreciation for a new life. The feeling of ambivalence towards the United States does not encourage assimilation to be proud Americans.

According to their mantra each ethic group should keep their native culture and not become Americanized. Most bizarre, these progressives argue that U.S. citizens should not be adopting other’s ethnic foods, music, customs or anything that is part of their own family’s native culture. This convoluted thinking makes taking of a feature of any ethnic group negatively labeled as “cultural appropriation.” The subculture of immigrants should remain separate from mainstream America to preserve their “sacred diversity” while preventing them from fully joining the U.S. culture.

New immigrants holding onto their former culture should be only a temporary condition. As those immigrants learn more of the culture their appreciation of it will transform them into true Americans. The “salad bowl” perspective is a method of preventing the assimilation process. The progressives have anointed these recent immigrants with the labels of “privileged and protected class” to split our nation into competing tribal groups further dividing our country.

Imagine coming to the U.S. and seeing Americans eating only meat and potatoes. From small towns to major cities Americans can eat foods from all over the world. Pizza from Italy, bratwurst from Germany, tacos from south of the border, wonton soup from China, wine from France and many other dishes have become part of the American experience. Cultural appropriation concerns would eliminate our ability to absorb ideas and various foods into our nation.

Our strength as a nation does not come from our separation from each other’s culture but the accepting of each one to become part of our common culture: America. Our culture is made more vibrant by every one who becomes a citizen and brings new spice and excitement to the U.S. experience.

The strength of the U.S. is not the country our ancestors came from but the creation that melts the essence of each subculture into a magnificent experience for all Americans. In the same way metals are strengthened and improved by blending types to create an alloy that is stronger or that has unique desirable properties. The secret ingredient to the process is blending with the predominate culture.  The common good for all citizens strengthens our bond of love for our country.

 E Pluribus Unum has been the goal for the United States, let us not reverse it and foster chaos and self-destruction.

Domenick Maglio, PhD. is a columnist carried by various newspapers, an author of several books and owner/director of Wider Horizons School, a college prep program. Dr. Maglio is an author of weekly newspaper articles, INVASION WITHIN  and a new book entitled, IN CHARGE PARENTING In a PC World. You can see many of Dr. Maglio’s articles at www.drmaglioblogspot.com.