Melting Pot?

[bobeck2]

Re: Melting Pot?

We're not considered a melting pot anymore, as much of Europe and the world are as culturally diverse as we are, since travel and transportation is far easier present day.

Simply because other nations have also began to embraced diversity does not mean that our nation ceases to be a melting pot. Our country may not be looked upon as ''The" melting pot but never the less, it promotes diversity.

Further, while the term "melting pot" as used in a political way may now be a bit archaic and obsolete in describing our country, we never the less are one for all practical purposes.

[Nyokou]

Re: Melting Pot?

When people use the term "melting pot" in today's perspective, I look at it as people of different cultural backgrounds getting married. That pretty much brings two cultures together into one and it's really interesting. There are so many different couples nowadays with such different ethnic backgrounds, different families, etc. That's what makes us a melting pot apart from most other countries and I think we are more acceptable to having mixed-race couples. Honestly, there are still so many countries in the world that have very racist, conservative societies and expectancies from their children. Older generations are still trying so desperately to cling onto the ideals they grew up with as children.

This one story got me to really think about it:

http://www.blogher.com/man-kills-daughter-law-little-racism-can-cost-you-your-life

[Cavernio]

Re: Melting Pot?

Because the spread of english had nothing to do with the nigh-global reach of the British Empire for decades and decades. *grin*

If the widespread use of the English language today were due to british imperialism then the English language would have been at its apex a generation after Britain stopped conquering the world. School kids in Japan aren't learning english because of the UK's influence, except indirectly from the US's power over global economics, since the US was settled first by english settlers.

[devonin]

Re: Melting Pot?

If the widespread use of the English language today were due to british imperialism then the English language would have been at its apex a generation after Britain stopped conquering the world. School kids in Japan aren't learning english because of the UK's influence, except indirectly from the US's power over global economics, since the US was settled first by english settlers.

That doesn't follow. The spread geographically of the english language could have hit its apex a generation after britain stopped ruling the world, but then, since so many places had english speaking people, it became a worthwhile skill for those who wanted to engage in international business, politics etc etc to learn english.

It's no coincidence that every single fantasy world I've ever come across has a "trade" or "common" tongue that most well-travelled people speak in addition to their native language.

Once you could count on being able to find -someone- pretty much anywhere who spoke english, the spread of english became self-sustaining.