Sociocultural, Ethnic and Other Heterogeneity of Society - Essay Example

In the case of the USA, the situation is very difficult. The matter is that the ethnocultural structure of America is very complex. Its population historically consisted at least of five basic elements: Indians, the slaves imported from Africa, the first wave of colonists; the political and economic elite of an Anglo-Saxon origin; the waves of immigrants not only from European but also from Latin America and Asia countries.

Trying to create a uniform and solid society and state, America in many respects was guided by the French way, having officially chosen assimilation, which received the well-known name “melting pot”. 100% Americanization had to become an ultimate goal of the carried-out compulsory assimilation. However, despite all the efforts, by the middle of the XX century, it became clear that the “melting pot” policy didn't bring desirable results. Searching for a way out of the current situation led to the emergence of multiculturalism. The main reasons and contradictions, which brought multiculturalism to life, arose together with the formation of the American state and continued to exist till rather recent times. American multiculturalism pays much attention to culture and identity, thus the American identity can be kept through art, especially through films (Benshoff & Griffin). Read More