Saturday, September 17, 2011
American Society Metaphors
Most everyone at one point or another has heard America described as a giant melting pot of cultures. In essence, it is a positive thought. It portrays our nation as accepting of all different people, and that they all mix together to form one loyal and united society. Upon closer thought, however, the melting pot metaphor does not seem to hold its ground. In a melting pot metaphor, individuals lose their individuality and everyone in society become exactly the same. Instead, I would propose the Reverend Jesse Jackson's rainbow metaphor. In a rainbow, there are many different colors, which are all unique and distinctly separate from one another. Each person in America has their own unique culture, ways, and qualities. Like the colors in the rainbow, no two people are exactly alike. However, a rainbow would not be a rainbow if it did not have all of the different distinct colors. Society in America would not exist as a nation if it did not have all of the different type of people and cultures as well. This metaphor not only recognizes and appreciates peoples differences, but it also acknowledges the fact that everyone is important and vital to the society as a whole.
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2 comments:
I really like the idea of America as being a melting pot and a rainbow, as those are both metaphors which describe interconnection and complementary social connection. However, in American society we as a people do not mix nor complement each other when put together. Both of your metaphors describe a country with a beautiful coexistence yet in America we seem to pride each other on our differences that we use them as excuses not to accept each other. Although there are a few places in America that people of all identities co exist, we are often given a false sense of harmony by the media. There still exists a vast amount of racism and segregation within America. Sadly enough, the laws do not promote it anymore, we as a people do it socially.
I agree with you exactly when you say that the melting pot metaphor does not hold it's ground. If we were to unify and become what people consider a "melting pot", we would lose our different culture and traditions. It would be like what you said about everyone becoming exactly the same. I like your choice of metaphor about Jesse Jackson's United States being a rainbow quilt. We're all different patches of cultures, traditions, ethnicity's bonded by a strong thread which is our loving, acceptance of other races and cultures. It is what makes our country so diverse and amazing. I thought exactly what you said in the last sentence about how the metaphor recognizes and appreciates peoples differences and that different people are important and vital to our society.
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