Anglo Conformity / Cultural Pluralism - Assignment Example

 The contemporary American society is described as an assortment of white and nonwhite, Anglo-Saxon and Protestants who are inclusive of immigrants and their descendants. With this great diversity in culture, language, ethnicity, religion and association several theories have been advanced to suggest what has happened (descriptive models) and what should happen (goal models). These models are commonly referred to as Anglo conformity, the melting pot and cultural plurality. Until the 20th century, this diversity in language in American society was not significant (Crawford 105). The trickling of immigrants from south Eastern Europe made the diversity a matter of concern. There emerged fear, xenophobia and racism in response to the occurring changes. Nativists contended that a good citizenship could not be adequately demonstrated if immigrants retained their ethnic heritage (mother tongue). An example is the legislation (1923) installing English as the exclusive language of instruction and its subsequent requirement for participation in both political and economic activities. This was a form of Anglo conformity that portrayed the desirability to maintain English institutions, English language and English oriented cultural patterns as dominant and standard in the American life. Milton Gordon terms Anglo conformity as “the most prevalent ideology of assimilation goals in America throughout the nation’s history” (Crawford 106). Americanization was thus perceived to be a deliberate attempt at stripping immigrants of native culture and attachment and turning them into Americans along the Anglo-Saxon lines. Ralph waldo Emerson felt this action to be a nativist agitated “conformity demands” and “immigrant hating” forces that were direct perversions of original American ideals of an open door policy on immigrants. Secondly the need to conform people to a particular culture that was deemed stable brought about assumptions of superiority and dominance of a single culture much like the Aryan perception. In instances like the Indians who failed to assimilate to the stipulated culture, venal whites took advantage of land reforms to strip them of patrimony and thereby led to gross violations of their rights. Third the abandonment of ethnic heritage led to the loss of identity. Assimilation was thus viewed as a shield and offensive weapon against specific targets and was used as a mask for racial, economic and political hostility. The theory of cultural pluralism aimed at making America safe for a variety of European cultures. Cultural pluralism conveyed cultural and linguistic diversity as the strengths and genius of the American democracy and not a threat it was formally perceived. George Frederic asserts that it is “misleading to make a sharp distinction between race and ethnicity when considering intergroup relationships in American history” (Crawford 105). Apart from the perceived negativity of assimilation, the adoption of the English language, institution and culture was also found favorable. Cultural pluralism promoted the establishment of English as an important communication while at the same time advocating the maintenance of mother tongue and ethnic identity in realizing American democratic ideals. This standard language promoted social cohesion. Also, this adoption led to the involvement of the different ethnic and cultural peoples in the economic and political activities of the United States. In this position, they were better able to improve their status. An example is Irish immigrant who with successive assimilation were better able to advance their cause; African Americans are also an interesting group in this regard not forgetting Asian Chinese (Crawford 106). From the perspective of cultural pluralism, the united stated was considered a federal state of not only geographical and administrative unity but as well of cultural diversity and a commonwealth of sorts. Kallen also suggests that the adoption of English language, institution and culture far from violating historic American principles it represents democratic ideals both for the individual and the group. He perceives the adoption of these elements as an outline of a democratic commonwealth with voluntary cooperation and autonomy through common institutions geared towards self-realization through the perfection of men even in their diversity. Therefore, the society can operate as a single entity in political and economic aspects and attaining mutual realizations of their distinct individuality of constituent nations. Turner in his paper deems the frontier as influential in shaping American institutions and democracy through a variegated western frontier and not the European heritage (Crawford 107). In the immigration of people from different places, an interesting observation was made. Horace Kalen observed how various ethnic groups were coincident to particular areas of settlement. The failure to participate in most communal activities with other ethnic groups also promoted the rapid development of these ethnic enclaves. In the interest of preserving their native cultural patterns, friends, family and relatives seeking familiarity and endeavoring to rebuild an identifiable community in a new and strange land were found to settle in same regions. There resulted in the creation of small communities living within other communities. They were able to converse in their preferred language, run familiar institutions, develop mutual interest and more effectively protect themselves from prevailing uncertainties in their new experiences. These ethnic enclaves promoted the preservation of their peculiar and exclusive identity. Also as a community they were able to garner more successfully for policies that were of mutual benefit to them all. Therefore where on entity was to help the whole community benefitted likewise either economically or politically. Black Americans opted to move from the south regions of America to the north regions where they were more likely to assert their rights. With time and their continual participation in the community, they have been able to advocate progressively for their rights and receive recognition. Previously also true Americans were considered to be from (Crawford 107). . Work Cited Crawford, James. Language Loyalties: A Source Book on the Official English Controversy. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press Ltd, 2010. Print. Read More