Fredrickson and Cultural Pluralism - Essay Example

Question 1

            Cultural pluralism refers to the nature or means by which a small group sharing common identities seek to maintain their uniqueness and identity. In the presented essay by Gordon, cultural pluralism is presented as a major form of identity that led to the growth of the Irish state in the process of becoming Americanized. This was aimed at the preservation of their cultural patterns with the aim of banding together for mutual protection and aid against the uncertainties of hostile and strange American environments (Sarat & Thomas 122).

            The three main theories identified in the essay are cultural pluralism, the melting pot, and anglo-conformity which encompasses immigration and assimilation into American culture. The features of cultural pluralism are also in the maintenance of the desirability of English institutions. This is in recognition of the language, oriented cultural patterns, and the standard of American life.

            Cultural pluralism was also fronted by the desire of the immigrants to have a rebuilt society based on the oases of familiarity. Subsequently, the theory was defined by the need to communicate in familiar tongues and languages, as well as the need to maintain familiar institutions as the original ones the immigrants were used to. Ultimately, cultural pluralism was defined by the necessity to band together for mutual protection and aid against the uncertainties to be experienced in the newly found American environment.

Question 2

            Supposing that an individual was to adopt cultural pluralism, they would require to have a mindset that would enable them to both thrive as an individual and as a group. These would be attainable by the consideration of a number of aspects such as the realization of the essence of communal operations. As an individual, one would be required to understand how to communicate in the recognized tongues and languages of society. This would enable them to interact with and understand other members of society. Subsequently, the individual would need to strive to promote familiarity aspects in the society they live. As a community, familiarity would act as an oasis that would define their survival and thrive in the new environment inhabited (Norgren & Serena 45).

            In another context, cultural pluralism would aid an individual and the community to bond together for mutual protection and aid in times of need. As such, the individual would need to have a mindset that would easily recognize that while individual awareness and freedom, and protection are essential, communal protection for the mutual gains to be received is also essential. Subsequently, an individual’s and communal mindset should be set on building and maintaining familiar institutions to the American environment so that there are no variations in the manner in which cultural pluralism is perceived in society.

Question 3

            The above-acquired and developed mindset is quite essential for individual and societal growth and development from a number of perspectives. First, the mindset would set communal benefits above individual needs such that one would not only seek self-satisfaction and glorification. Subsequently, the mindset would help in creating divergent ideas, but aimed at the fulfillment of the same aims for the furtherance of the society as was witnessed in the case of Irish state development.

            However, the mindset of assimilating to the American ideologies would be wrong in the sense that it would lead to the forgoing of cultural beliefs previously practiced by the indigenous communities before they turned immigrants in America.

Question 4

These mindsets would make one survive or thrive in new environments and in the modern world in the sense that they would advocate for and promote the embracing of cultural diversity in the modern context, as well as enable the enhancement of cultural pluralism in the modern contexts in America. As such, citizens would be more appreciative of their institutions, leaders, and cultural diversities given that they shall have the desire to promote coexistence among themselves. Subsequently, the development and sustenance of such a mindset would enhance the recognition of historical divergences that led to the creation of the Americanization concept; hence, the reformation of the entire system.