Cultural Identity of Americans in the Southwest - Literature review Example

Cultural Identity of Americans in the Southwest of Introduction Cultural identity refers to the background of a person. In this case, originality of the person plays a very big role in defining the culture of this person. It is defined by various foundation factors in the life of a person such as language, religion, the food they eat. Culture also encompasses beliefs and moral values, traditions and laws that define a given community, country or a given group in a given area. Cultural diversity may also be very varied in a region with high levels of immigration or emigration. This is because different categories of people by race, tribes, language and nationalities converge or diverge from a given point (Crouch, 2009). They bring with them their different cultures which are supposed to be integrated for a cohesive living. This paper seeks to discuss the cultural identity of a European American male in the southwest and how this identity affects the personal and professional aspect of this person. In light of the same, the discussion will discuss how a European American defines culture in the broader perspective where race, ethnicity, heritage, history, family and environment will be discussed. As a person, there will be a discussion on how these aspects affect the professional behaviors and attitudes. Definition of Aspects of Culture In View Of a European American Race and Environment The development of the Euro-American identity is related to the prior development of interaction between this European race and the settled areas. The identities that were adapted were based on an already adapted society in the southwest. The identity of this race took several other forms as opposed to the single and uniform race that defines other races like the blacks (Kirk, 2007). It was alright to refer to them as white Americans, Caucasian Americans and their common region of habitation is the Anglo-American region (actually the south western region). The South West is a multi-racial, multi-cultural nation and therefore has a very wide collection of people. The Euro-Americans came to the united from all over Europe and in meeting the other races from different parts of the world; there has always been a bias in the social co-ordination of issues. Given that all the euro-Americans were white, there was a serious bias when it came to co-operation with the other races. For instance, there was a race riot in 1919 in Chicago which was believed to have been initiated by Irish Americans on the black community. The Ragen Colts, a gang that existed in Chicago at the time tirelessly planned blackmails to try and draw the attention of all the white community against the blacks. In essence, the most important set of elements that exist between these interfaces are coiled towards bringing the idea of isolation of other races by the euro-Americans. The definition of race as a part of culture by the euro-Americans is therefore based on several aspects of socialization. According to Smith (2007), the whites, more so the euro-Americans get socialized into an already polluted society and therefore inherit stereotypes, behaviors and beliefs of the extended society. There is also a belief that racism is normal and much integrated into the society permeating all across our sociological institutions (Eschbach & Gomez, 1998). In fact, the creation of an individual in this society is based on the existing sequences which are believed to exist in both permeated and non-permeated sets of societies. The conclusive remarks on the identity of the whites on racial issues are based on the idea of having an identity based on racial issues but living purely in a non-racial formation in the same society. Wozab (2010) redefines the general view that race as defined by the Helm’s model depicts these Euro-American whites as being of some kind of superior identity. The different identities are engulfed in the type of environment developed during the development of young children in that society. The family, schools, the social media and the church form an environment that molds a small child into an adult. However, the adult and the kid in the same person are different. This is because the environment creates a human being that knows how to isolate the good race (white) and the bad race (other races). As a young man of about 30 years, this type of environment creates some form of superiority complex in development and would make returns in the name of trying to follow a system that is slightly different from the normal ones (Wozab, 2010). Ethnicity Ethnicity is the idea of having a state of belonging to a given social group. This social group is described by the fact that it has a common national or tradition based on the same culture. The euro-Americans in this context have a traditional base in Europe and but have clearly adapted to the idea of living in the South West that their traditional origin is almost becoming immaterial. The definition of white ethnicity and area of origin as afar as the social status of euro-Americans in the south west is concerned has a bearing on superiority. In the US in general, ethnic identification is a situation that is generally optionally situational as well as voluntary (Smith, 2007). The choice to be identified by personal identity to a given race is a rather fuzzy issue but there is more freedom of interaction among the Hispanics and African Americans than it is for euro-Americans and the other races. All the immigrants to the south East have an ethnic background and most of these tend to be isolated from their ethnic background but not so for euro-Americans. There was a big sense of assimilation into the new state system and this made the other races to make adaption to the operations in their social orientation. Job inclusion and performance has also been based on ethnicity. The white euro-Americans have had to maintain the status of only doing jobs that have respect in-so-far as to call them the white –collar jobs. The traditional origin did not allow them to do jobs considered to be odd as these were left for the Indians and African Americans. This ethnic identity to a young American of 30 years therefore lays a foundation based on a future that is respectful and that of maintaining the status quo. Heritage Euro-Americans have an ancestry from any of the people that came from Europe. Hispanics, from Western Europe to Latvians in the east all make up the US population (Eschbach & Gomez, 1998). To this end, their cultural heritage is not explicitly similar as such. The Euro-Asians have little shame of putting forward their cultural heritage. Some sections of the Euro-Asians usually implement the idea of totalitarianism in which civilization of the modern status is not highly welcome. Some of the sections of these European descendants usually get the idea that their conservative cultural heritage was better than the modern changes in various phases of development. There has been changes such as ‘The Revolt of the Masses’ which spread wide enough to change the cultural heritage. However, the need to maintain a section of personal sense of individuals has had a very strong impact on the changes on the heritage in the south western region. However, the dynamism with which life is changing in the southwest and the need to adapt change has caused the general view of the issue of culture to change. One of the heritage bases is that of Christianity. The euro-Americans are the pioneers of Christianity and in such believe that all should adapt the faith and abide by it. However, it has become a matter of choice other than coercion. Another related heritage is that of law in the society coupled with justice. The medieval Christian sources as well support the idea that democracy is part of their heritage and should be inculcated as such. The other issue under heritage is the issue of literature that ranges back to the richness in the development of the society. To the euro-Americans, the issue of civilization surpasses the idea of nationalism as well as interaction between the different races. I would therefore grow up more in the way of trying to conserve this heritage and developing it at the expense of catching up with new developments from other cultures. This is because euro-Americans are the second richest and well informed race in the USA. History European Americans has an ancestral link to the origins of Europe settling in America in the earlier years. The definition of history as far as euro-Americans are concerned is based on the fact that some Europeans settled in America earlier than others (Crouch, 2009). History has it that the Spanish were among the very first group of immigrants from Europe to settle in America, and more so in the USA. According to the demographic figures obtained from the United States Bureau of Statistics, the European Americans have had a long history of migration to the Americas and to a large extent dictate the socio-economic status of these American areas. For instance, German Americans have come to constitute more than 16% of all the Americans in the USA. The historical background of the Germans therefore gives the areas inhabited a German look as well as the other areas representing the respective historical cultures. The Spanish therefore, as a historically first country to get to the USA generates a historically Spanish look in the areas of habitation. This gives them some autonomy and control over these areas and their culture well defined as opposed to the later comers. Almost all the countries of Europe were represented in this migration to the USA but it is generally acceptable that each race, regardless of the historical area of origin adapts a positive dynamism in adapting to the culture of the USA. This also includes adaptation to language speaking as well as the economic way of life. Historically, there is also a bearing towards religion and by large, the Europeans are responsible for the spread of religion being a traditional part of their family lives (Bureau, 2006). Family life had a base in religion just like the upbringing would be based on Christian values for those that are Christians. For instance, the largest historical religions respectively were Protestantism, catholic, orthodoxy to less dominant religions such as Buddhism and Islam for the areas that interacted with people who had these religions. These have largely defined the behavior of these of the different individuals who live in different ethnic societies. The orientation to family is also related to historical and ancient ties with the given origin group. The family and economic orientation of the different cultures in the southwest is dependent on the origin. For instance, among all the races in the south east, regardless of their origin, exhibit different levels of class. The euro-Americans are of the lowest poverty rate per family therefore their economic orientation is higher than other races. In terms of education, they are the second highest achievers. Their household income is also average. Any developments from these families are supposed to maintain the status and live to the same understanding (Crouch, 2009). Effects on Professional Personality of an Individual As has been indicated, the Euro-Americans have achieved the highest educational attainment after the Asian Americans (Eschbach & Gomez, 1998). The general view of this is based on the ideological history that makes up the community. All the aspects above shape the behavior of the generations under them. As far as race is concerned, the Euro-American, being a white is supposed to assume power and prestige among the other races. However, from the professional understanding of an educationalist, this helps to shape the development of appreciation to the ability and value of other cultures. The environment as far as a professional is concerned is supposed to be free of all intimidation to those considered a lesser race. Treatment of all as able is very vital in making sure that there are professionally responsible individuals in the society. Heritage as has been seen to put the euro-Americans as highly valuable race in the American society. This is in line with other races such as the blacks and the Indians. These would take the form of uniqueness of individuals, the identity of the marginalized groups as well as commonness in humanity. This eliminates the idea of valuing one heritage at the expense of the others (Kirk, 2007). A well groomed young professional from the Euro-American society has the social advantage as far the generational ideas of other races are concerned. This knowledge will also make sure that there is elimination of stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination. It also creates the ability to understand the other races as discussed on the tolerance scale (Moreno-Riaño, 2006). The tolerance scale has virtues based on appreciation, acceptance, and tolerance, avoiding and repelling discrimination. In this case, as a young person, there are so many vices that are going to be avoided. The social rule of treating all people equally is a golden rule in the making. Making the wrong things right is paramount in unifying the different races and creating the ability to solve the perceived stereotypes. Above all, the platinum rule is that diversity should be appreciated as an asset (Smith, 2007). Conclusion The euro-Americans are people of the European origin that settled in America. They virtually represent all the countries in Europe as well as their ethnic heritage, family, history and race. The USA is apparently the most cosmopolitan nation in the world with strength in diversification and useful tapping of the value of its multi-cultural citizens (Kirk, 2007). This paper has discussed the understanding of the various components of culture as far as a euro-American is concerned. In view of this, it has elaborated the understanding of race and environment, ethnicity, heritage, history and family. It has also discussed how these aspects shape the professional aspects of a 30 year old euro-American to make him a culturally responsible individual. References Bureau, U. C. ( 2006). Statistical Abstract of the United States: The National Data Book. Washington: Government Printing Office. Crouch, A. (2009). Culture Making, Recovering Our Creative Calling. New York: InterVarsity Press. Eschbach, C., & Gomez, C. (1998). Choosing Hispanic Identity. Journal of Social Science Quarterly, 79(1), 74-89. Kirk, R. (2007). The Common Heritage of America and Europe. Journal of Christianity Today, 4, 259-262. Moreno-Riaño, G. ( 2006). Tolerance in the 21st Century: Prospects and Challenges. Ontario: Lexington Books. Smith, T. D. (2007). Racial And/or Ethnic Identity Formation of Indian/European American Biracial Individuals. Washington: ProQuest. Wozab, J. (2010, 11 8). Helms Model of White Identity Development. Retrieved 03 11, 2013, from Exploring College Student Development Theory: http://collegestudentdeveltheory.blogspot.com/2010/11/helms-model-of-white-identity.html Read More