American Culture and Traditions - Assignment Example

 American Culture and Traditions Question #1 Independence Day reminds Americans of their freedom and the way has changed their lives while Thanksgiving Day gives them a chance to thank their Father in heaven. The two holidays can be dated back from the 1800s during the Declaration for Independence, which was made by Native Americans. The Natives have held on to their culture and ethnic communities and have not adopted modernization. The holidays remind them of their social and marginal statuses that include their encounters with the colonizer and how they have been pushed to the borders over time due to modernization. Most of the Native Americans can be found in Hawaii and Alaska where they have settled and practiced their cultural activities overtime. To remember them modern day Americans are using costumes and writing books which cause their awareness and the respect they should deserve. Some of the costumes used in Halloween portray the Native's culture and the way of life. I once wore a costume that made me resemble the American Natives from the South. Question #2 ‘Redskin’ is referred to as an offensive word in the American community and to some it is a taboo since it violates rights of the Native Americans. Most people use it as a slang word while referring to the Natives due to their ‘reddish skin.’ I would recommend the change of the name ‘Washington Redskins’ to another name that does not fall on racial and cultural lines. The team represents the Washington State in the national basketball teams. The name may bring a different meaning depending on the understanding hence leading to racial debates despite it representing color of their uniform. For example, a Native American’s basketball team may feel offended while playing with the Washington Redskins due to the commentary of the game. The use of other names such as ‘Whiteskins’, ‘Yellowskins’ and ‘Black skins’ would cause alarm and racial debates in the country due to use of racially offensive names. It may lead to a neo-racism era that involves cases of racial discrimination in the modern day society. Question #3 Most Americans prefer having generous relationships with the Native Americans as compared to ‘Blacks' and ‘Latinos' due to various reasons. The Natives have been respected due to their rich social and cultural activities (Schaefer 2012). Their geographical locations also serve as a reason since they are found in remote North and South areas of the United States which include the North and south. They lack social interactions hence limited cases of racism. These natives are also believed to be the majority during the fight for independence hence deserve respect from other Americans. They are referred to as the population that originally settled in the United States unlike the Black Americans and Latinos who were immigrated into the country. The feeling of originality contributes to a benevolent attitude towards them from other Americans. Question #4 The president made a good decision by visiting Ghana since he unveiled how human beings can be cruel at times. He visited the dungeons where captives and slaves were kept before being sold into slavery. President Obama also made a commendable job by taking his daughters Malia and Sasha as an obligation to show them that despite their blessed life, history may take very unkind turns. If I were the one taking my children to these dungeons, I would have explained to them how slavery had a great impact to the society through abduction of children and men to work as slaves. I would also advise them to study hard and fight slavery in all ways which is still evident in some parts of the world. Question # 5 Most Americans refer to Africa as a land of slaves where slave trade was the main economic activity. However, they are not aware that Africans had a good life where performed their social and cultural activities before the slave trade began. The continent had rich cultures which had their distinguishing features such as languages. Their way of lives changed after the colonization period where the Western countries invaded Africa due to its natural resources and sources of cheap labor and raw materials. To change this misperception among the Americans, children should be taught in schools about the African history. Books and films may also be provided to clarity and understanding of the African continent. Question #6 I have spent five years learning about Europe as compared to three years about Africa. There is a difference between the years covered whereby I have spent more years studying about Europe than Africa. The main reason is dated back to the colonialism period where the British had America as its sphere of influence. The relationship between the two countries has created a diversion in the study of the other continents including Africa. More time has been used learning about the Europe due to the British colonization of America. Question #7 Civil rights movements and organizations fought for African Americans' rights and had various achievements. Martin Luther King fought for the equal treatment of Americans despite their races (Pollock 2014). Private and public acts based on racial discrimination were abolished. The Black Americans gained their freedom to work in any public office. Schools were to be shared by students from all races. The Black Americans were also issued with the right to vote and vie for political positions. They were issued with identity and voter registration cards giving them the right to vote. To make these achievements, both Whites and Blacks had their contributions. There was an increase in activists during the 1950s from both races that fought for equal rights and freedoms. References Pollock, J. M. (2014). Ethical dilemmas and decisions in criminal justice (8th ed.). Belmont, Calif.: Wadsworth Schaefer, R. T. (2012). Racial and ethnic groups (13th ed.). Boston: Pearson. Read More