Did the idea of "the American melting pot"  ever happen?  Opinions please?
601808
It does happen but it takes a generation or two for new immigrants to assimilate into American society.  Some groups do not want to assimilate and just want to have their own communities, separate from others.  This is NOT what American is about.  I do not disparage anyone's culture, and we SHOULD celebrate heritage and culture of our past, but we need to all embrace our common bond as Americans.  E Pluribus Unum means "Out of Many, One".  This is what we need to strive for, to be the nation that we were on September 12th 2001.  To be One!
466631
No, especially considering the fact that would make the average American a hypocrite.\n\nWhoops, already happened.
351747
I doubt it. Americans are too lazy to involve themselves in something so strenuous as taking a stand for something. Just look at our anti-war movement; everybody is so apathetic that nobody really does anything about it. I can't imagine an issue strong enough to ultimately divide the entire nation in this day and age. Perhaps if people wanted to rapidly shift to socialism or something similar not seen in America before, maybe that will start something.
197070
well yes we are a melting pot, made of many cultures but i dont think that people are thinking that our country strives to be perfect but i mean nobody is perfect just like you said. but we arnt trying to be perfect we are trying to make it right for everyone and if people cant understand that then thats fine just like you said. so i think that people just should encourage eachother to accept a country or any thing in the country i love living here i wouldnt change a thing , we have come a long way but nothing is more important than the people.
415494
OH NO! not another one. When will people finally "get it".. We were all sent here to watch over each other and follow Gods rules. People are people. Color, race or creed should not be a reason to not like someone.. Get to know the real person. Yes, we are all different but in a good way. Our ancestors and our roots make us who we are. Be proud of your families roots but respect others too. We have all brought so much to the table of this melting pot we call "America". We have all added to our culture that has become "American Culture with our loyalty to the US. Our US flag and a country our brave soldiers (now and then) have fought wars to keep safe. Alot of those soldiers were a combination of many backgrounds like African American, Italian American, Irish American and ect. We have all fought together to save this country. If you do not want to be American, go home or join the wonderful melting pot we call "America". If you hate groups don't want to be around a country made up of a history of many immigrants, you can leave to. I am German American and my hubby is Italian American. Our ancestors gave 100% for this country and we like all other Americans have every right to live free in this country. If you hate groups have a problem with that "Bye Bye". Good Luck finding a place on this WHOLE earth that is "YOUR TYPE".
1106323
What's funny is that there's a Zimbawee-like mentality that land can be made productive no matter the standing culture...but it's the American culture that makes America great, not the Mexican culture.\n\nIt's not like we wanted to adopt the thoughts of socialists Europe when it was going through that phase, even though remnants of that got in to make the dem party what they are; but fundamentally we came from other countries realizing they were a failure and that America had a better way.  Not the other way around, where our country was a failure, but we have the better way.  Migrating to a new country or going into someone elses house should have some humble aspects to it, but evidently it doesn't in this case.  Humble yourself.
1055706
Oh boy. This is a question most intelligent people try to avoid. Not me. And I guess that says something for me.\nHaving grown up and been an active participant in the civil rights demostrations and activities of the 60s, I have observed one very problematic concept that was adopted, early on. Black men and women of that era feel into and adopted the concept of a seperate identity and observance of customs of their original countries. There is nothing wrong with this except in a fight to be absorbed and accepted into American culture it has become impossible for Whites and other races to accept them since any moves to do so will be rejected.\nMany of the injustices done to Black Americans by those who pervert our way of life were, of course, wrong and horrible.\nIf you look at the European style of life and society you see that this hasn't happened, mainly because the injection of those of color in their societies happened over a very long period of time and gradually. We on the other hand forced the issue and moved ahead, perhaps, too fast.\nNow, something worse has happened. White Americans are adopting the culture of African Americans in a big way which makes the problem worse because they are recognizing the differences.\nThere is no easy answer and I am glad you didn't ask how we can fix it because, I have no answer to that question.
1032748
Personally I think a lot of Americans and Europeans have already accepted it. Extraordinary question, really made me think!
490114
America has many more than "2 kinds" of people, as do the UK and most countries of the world.  The concept of the "melting pot" of society has been going on for many, many years and the influx of immigrants to all countries has increased as time has gone by and technology has increased.  For some people, it has been the prospect of freedoms not found in their own countries that has lured them to new shores, for others, just a sense of adventure.  But the histories of all countries are rich with the stories of their immigrants.  Pick one and start reading about it!
746782
Americans do understand the complexity's of this issue.They only need a leader to set things in motion,a catalysts to motivate them into action.I'm not sure if it will help or make the issue even more violable.When I talk to others that I meet in my travels I see a passion behind their words that I hadn't seen before.They are angry and want to do something to help preserve our American way of life.I know this is like a festering sore ,that needs to be cauterized.By uniting with other Americans perhaps a solution to this problem can be found.Action is the response not the motivation.My tax dollars are being tossed away on people that hate this country and any thing American.
1181025
No..I surely didn`t know. What a wonderful project! We need this about now, to show our Military that we DO stand behind them, and to get more Americans to SHOW what we are made of! Let`s stand up for our country and troops...What a great opportunity!! U.S.A. ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   : )
577825
Are the masses fighting or a few pot stirrers?  Are there gangs in America stirring the pot?  Do we call it civil war here?\n\nYes most would like power on either side.  At the moment many are more interested in the other not having it more than themselves having it.  It is set-up as a lose/lose situation.\n\nMaybe it will change to a win/win situation.
327279
I think just even trying to define a dominant culture in the US would be difficult.  We are a huge melting pot, filled with countless cultures and backgrounds, all with many defining "rituals" of their own.\n\nThere seems to be quite a few rites of passage already, though....like "sweet 16" parties, graduation parties, baptisms, bar mitzvahs, and simply making it through the teenage years intact ;)
474898
I think it could become a reality.  I know alot of people will get ticked about this, but I think the place to see a system of government that is the closest to that is France/Germany.  The thought police are alive and well there, and remember, our crappy economy is not our fault, it's the evil Americans fault.
859628
Sorry, I'm an American, but I thought I'd better answer, anyway.  You need to know that we really aren't all like Bush.  I never voted for him, and I've never liked him.  And I get sick of Americans who brag about us being a melting pot, but want to build walls to keep everyone else out.  We need to realize that there are 6 billion people in the world, which makes us a very small minority, and we'd better get along.
231760
I have watched this video and although it is very well put together, I do not believe any of it. Honestly people! Think about how much planning and people would have to be involved in what happened. Do you really think that in the year that Bush had been president his administration could have coordinated something like that? Considering the amount of people that would have had to have been involved, why wouldn't anyone be speaking up? Find some of these people and then maybe I'll start to consider some of these crazy ideas!
304200
I dont think that it will really come in the form of a racial civil war for the simple reason that there are too many people who dont understand the group aspect of the issue. For most people a lot of these issues are about what is in it for me, or what is going to happen to me as a result. It is under the same principles as to why there hasnt been a marxist lower class revolution. Most people dont have that interest in a group greater than themselves. If a group of people or the government can find a way to placate the immigrant workers (which our economy needs) and abate some of the fears from the american citizens a lot of the tension will subside. People need to realize a lot of this is about a culture of fear and that the average immigrant worker isnt trying to stick it to the american citizens by taking a job that most citizens wouldnt want to work anyway.