Examining American Culture: Is it an Entity?

The United States of America is constantly referred to as a melting pot, but what does that entail?

Bearing News

The United States of America is constantly referred to as a melting pot, but what does that entail?

  From McDonald´s to the National Football League, America has a multitude of distinctive traits and traditions; but does the Land of Opportunity have a tangible, recognizable culture to be proud of?

  In modern day, “culture” is commonly comprised of music, traditional clothes, religions, food; the list goes on. One intriguing thing about the US of A is that there is no one ¨music type¨, there is no one ¨religion.¨ Does this indicate America doesn’t have a true culture?

  Erin Casey, a Junior at Sanderson High School, shares her thoughts on the matter of America’s true culture. “I think America does have a culture that’s a melting pot of other cultures and inventions of our own creation.” Casey continues her thoughts, “Culture is more than food, music, or fashion, it’s also the average mentality and ethical standards of it’s cultural population.”

  To reassure the 11th grader’s opinions, look no farther than Chinatown in New York City, and Koreatown in Los Angeles. Certain neighborhoods or corners of cities across the US assure that America is anything but homogenous, but one question may arise amid the examination of American culture: has it always been the same?

  Cliche as it may be, social media, or technology as a whole has created an unprecedented, modern ambiance all around the world. One could argue that the Land of the Free is the single country most dramatically affected by advanced technology (i.e: social media, online marketplaces, etc.). 

  American History teacher Lindsay Martin expresses her views on the evolution of American culture. “Today, because of social media, people can hear a sound byte and associate it with a particular TikTok trend or dance, or see an image and associate it with a specific meaning if it’s a meme.” 

  Martin expands on her claims. “Because so much of pop culture is reliant on technology, it [culture] definitely changes over time, and helps bring more people around the world closer together.”

  Throughout the world, many countries face folk culture being swept up in a whirlwind by newer and more contagious pop culture. The United States, however, cannot necessarily relate, considering that The States were founded less than 250 years ago. Although this may be a strong claim to make, folk culture across America is a little more obscure in relativity.

  At the end of the day, it seems that culture for America may be a revolving door throughout the years as technology and social media show no signs of slowing down. After thorough examination, there is one thing for certain, there is an American culture.