As children in elementary school, we were told that America is one big “melting pot.” The “melting pot” metaphor is used to describe how immigrants who come to America eventually become assimilated into American culture, thus creating multiple cultures that have blended into one.
Then, as we got older, we entered the debate of determining if America is a “melting pot” or a “salad bowl.” The “salad bowl” metaphor is a different view describing that immigrants who come to America combine their cultures with others, but still retain their own cultural identity. Basically, America is one big integration of unique, distinct cultures.
So which is it? The debate between these two metaphors is constant and depends on how someone views the world and the United States.
These two metaphors are used to describe America’s multiculturalism. The United States is home to immigrants from all over the world, which has resulted in such a high amount of multiculturalism. Immigrants are constantly coming to America and bringing their unique cultures with them.
In reality, the metaphor of a “melting pot” is no longer useful. Instead, America is more closely a “salad bowl.” We are all together, as one, but we also all have distinct cultures. Chinese-American citizens still celebrate the Chinese New Year. Indian-Americans still celebrate Diwali. And Mexican-Americans still celebrate The Day of the Dead. The list could go on and on. So, yes, they are American, but they still celebrate and practice their own culture.
On the other hand, America has become a “melting pot” in some aspects. Many cultures celebrate American holidays, even if it is not part of their own culture. For example, many non-Christian families who do not celebrate Christmas still partake in the exchange of gifts on this holiday. This could be termed as some cultures becoming “Americanized,” that is beginning to act as “Americans” do.
On top of that, the majority of immigrants from other countries that come to the United States do assimilate in the language area. Although there is no official language declared by the federal government, English is the most spoken language in the United States, as well as the official language in 31 states. Therefore, most immigrants either come to the United States knowing English, or learn it once they settle down. There has been heavy controversy over speaking different languages in the United States. You may be familiar with the saying: “You’re in America so you should speak English.” Many videos have surfaced on the Internet of Americans criticizing people from other countries for not speaking English in the United States. This shows that there is somewhat of an “expectation” for other cultures to learn English if they chose to live in the United States. This isn’t necessarily correct, but it is a popular viewpoint in the states.
On the social level, immigrants may also assimilate. Every culture has different social qualities, whether is be related to eye contact, conversational distance, or physical contact. When it comes to basic social interactions, like a conversation or a handshake, immigrants may easily assimilate into American culture. However, when it comes to more complex social interactions for immigrants, like friendships or marriage, the social aspects of their distinct culture may come more into play.
In some sense, America has become a “melting pot,” but looking at the bigger picture, it really is a “salad bowl.” People of other nationalities still keep their cultural identities. A “melting pot” would suggest that once people come to America from a different country, their cultural identity is basically lost and becomes solely American. But can’t you be American and still have your own distinct culture, even if it is from outside of the United States? Immigrants do assimilate in certain areas in order to adjust to the “American way”, but overall, they keep their cultural identity.
Immigrants should not be expected to assimilate into American culture. America was founded as the land of the free and a place where you can be whoever you want. Therefore, if America wants to uphold this ideal that the country was founded on, immigrants should be allowed to decide when and how much they assimilate into American culture, if they decide to at all.
If you really think about it, America does not really have an “authentic” culture, because American culture is a mix of hundreds, if not thousands, of different cultures. People from all over the world have been coming to America since it was first discovered, so in reality, America’s culture is everyone’s culture. American culture cannot simply be defined as one thing. It is hard to define it at all, just because of how great and complex it is. Walking down the street, you see people of all ethnicities, races, and origins. Everyone is unique with their own culture, and that is what makes America so unique. So, we should celebrate multiculturalism, not deny it, because that is the true definition of what America really is.
January 24, 2019 at 9:18 pm
America’s culture is the melting pot belief. It is a mixture of every culture in a really bad way, like you said about Christmas being only about the gift exchange part. When I came to the US, I was amazed at all the different cultures co-existing together. However, as I learned English and more about the people here I noticed that there was a lot of hate in between each culture. Most immigrants try to assimilate to the “American culture” because a lot of times they have been treated badly for not speaking English. They feel kind of trapped. Only certain people who are mentally strong are able to put all the hate aside and celebrate their culture the way it should be. It is very sad that this happens here, specially since technically everyone is an immigrant. Cultures should be celebrated, but instead they are oppressed.
September 11, 2023 at 3:07 am
I’m 3rd and 4th generation. I’m mixed with many backgrounds. Which one am I supposed to be? I am American. Many are like me. We are American. The salad bowl might be true for gen 1, but mixed and matched become One. We are muts. There is no American race. Patriots come in many colors from many places. We are a melting pot. We learn from each other and enrich each other. Immigrants once, citizens for ever. Its unavoidable and quite unique. I appreciate my fellow citizens who come with humility instead of pride.
June 8, 2020 at 2:29 am
First I can say I learn a new concept, salad bowl and I understand more about melting pot. As America is a land of freedom where everyone can live in peace and feel like it’s his own country, the salad bowl is the concept right concept to support it and if it is accepted by everyone it will offer a better common life in peace and respect. I don’t have got to be in USA but I heard about cohabitation between different people and I really appreciate and make me dreaming more to be there one day.
And I agree with those who think that English would be the language spoken in this area, so Americans support to share their country with all immigrants the common language must be used. Immigrants are citizens and have same rights with native but still have their country of origin
August 24, 2020 at 5:56 pm
America’s culture is the melting pot belief. it is a mixture of every culture in a really bad way, like you said about christmas christmas is a day that you celebrate a man that died for us gave us the chance.
August 27, 2020 at 10:29 pm
it´s easy when you get to know it
August 31, 2020 at 2:03 pm
America’s culture is the melting pot belief. it is a mixture of every culture in a really bad way, like you said about christmas christmas is a day that you celebrate a man that died for us gave us the chance.
September 2, 2020 at 5:16 am
America’s culture is the melting pot belief. it is a mixture of every culture in a really bad way, like you said about christmas christmas is a day that you celebrate a man that died for us gave us the chance.
April 1, 2022 at 6:52 pm
Christmas is the day that Jesus was born you twat, jy weet niks jou dom poessss.
September 2, 2020 at 5:23 pm
The melting pot is where many different cultures come to the United States with their culture, The get to know all the other cultures their. Everyone eventually blends in together.
September 2, 2020 at 5:37 pm
The melting pot is where people from different cultures come to the U.S., they start blending in with eachother when they get to know one another. The melting pot is where different cultures have really harsh backgrounds. They all just blend in it doesn’t matter what race they are they all blend together.
September 3, 2020 at 4:21 pm
The salad bowl means that different countries form together, and form into one.
September 7, 2020 at 5:51 pm
America’s culture is the melting pot belief. it is a mixture of every culture in a really bad way, like you said about christmas christmas is a day that you celebrate a man that died for us gave us the chance.
September 23, 2020 at 2:48 pm
The salad bowl means that different countries form together, and form into one or two country’s and from two country’s.
October 24, 2021 at 8:52 pm
I say it is a salad bowl, I mean there are multiple different communities that coexist together. There is a lot of hate that does go towards that, as we can even see in this comment section, but thats from extreme-nationalist “Americans” that take their nationalism to a level of hatred towards other groups. It needs to stop, and we need to appreciate each others cultures.
October 27, 2021 at 5:00 pm
How to celebrate diwali
https://happydiwaliwishesphotos.blogspot.com/
April 24, 2022 at 3:49 pm
When was the post created.
August 25, 2022 at 8:03 pm
Im sitting next to a mexican
October 22, 2022 at 6:06 am
Great Post. Also check how to celebrate eid
October 22, 2022 at 6:07 am
Great Post. Also check how to celebrate eid.
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December 1, 2022 at 6:42 pm
Who is the author of this article?
December 9, 2022 at 5:14 am
I agree with the salad bowl theory sure some customs like Christmas are watered down to the point where Christ isn’t the main focus of the holiday anymore but that doesn’t mean people lose their culture once they come to America and always try to fit in, a lot of the time immigrants live in ghettos or specific communities where that specific culture would be embraced like china town.
January 5, 2023 at 10:47 am
Are you talking about America or the US?
January 5, 2023 at 10:50 am
The US you dumbass.
March 3, 2023 at 8:06 am
I want some big booty nigga to bounce around my hood and gimme sum sloppy
April 5, 2023 at 5:02 pm
I volunteer.
June 28, 2023 at 9:01 am
I must apologize.
This comment was written by one of my classmates for fun without my acknowledgment!
March 3, 2023 at 3:50 pm
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March 30, 2023 at 4:09 pm
I think this is kinda bs
March 30, 2023 at 4:38 pm
Bro Luca Frank needs to calm his a**
October 31, 2023 at 2:06 pm
man i love my salid bowl (Im a jew btw)
November 8, 2023 at 1:03 pm
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