The characterization of America as a “Melting Pot” is extremely outdated. A melting pot would be more like a sauce, gravy, roux, remoulade, marinara, béchamel, bearnaise, curry or even alfredo. We might have been more like this when nearly everyone was from Europe, and the goal was to blend everything smoothly. I tend to think The United States is now more like a stew, chili, bouillabaisse, jambalaya, paella, gumbo, pho, poke’ or even hot pot.
The main difference is that we contain many more diverse ‘ingredients’ than before. It is a greater challenge to work together harmoniously without losing the individuality of each ingredient’s distinctive ‘flavor’. When one makes any stew for example, one must care to treat each ingredient separately before just tossing it in to then pan. Unlike any sauce which may be stirred (not shaken) or just added to a blender. This is precisely why I did not include cioppino in my second list – it is only different seafood ingredients and not diverse enough for my analogy.
Is it more difficult to make a great stew than a gravy? I for one, think so yes! The right protein is required, probably steak not ribs. Small whole potatoes, not French fries. Pearl onions not caramelized ones. Raw carrots, not ones cooked in brown sugar. Corn and peas added at the end, not at the beginning. All swimming in a “stock” that is not too thick and not too thin. The marinara people out there can argue but I think even my Italian Grandma gets the main point here.
So, how does this translate from the kitchen to our American culture? I think it might have to do with what is really means to be an American. I heard Ronald Reagan recount a story whereby you cannot move to France and become French; move to Türkiye and become Turkish; or move to Japan and become Japanese. BUT, you can move to America and become “American.” A unique opportunity in history for sure but not without certain requirements and responsibilities.
We welcome and need a constant stream of “tired, hungry and poor” immigrants who will come from different places as necessitated by their own local conditions. For example, food shortages, job shortages, or oppressive factions. Here is the common denominator, however, one must want to be here and reasonably fit into the American “culture.” Since The US is constitutionally a land of laws, one must immigrate here LEGALLY. Even more important than the ‘paperwork’ is the “spirit” with which one embraces the American Dream. I am not even saying that America is the only or even best place to live. I am saying, though, that it is imperative to understand the conditions of living here. Do not go to the North Pole if you don’t like the cold or to the jungle if you do not want humidity. If you do not believe in working harder to move up the social ladder, then please go find a nice, socialistic county.
Symbolically, it can begin with how one classifies oneself. I think I was wrong to ‘label’ myself as Italian/American. After three generations now, I think I should call myself an American of Italian descent. Likewise, all ethnic heritage should be subservient to United Staes nationality once citizenship is established. Also, I am very suspect of any individual possessing dual passports. One cannot serve two, different masters and it should be incumbent upon all Americans to make the choice of one country or the other. The fact that some members of Congress have dual citizenship (E.G. Israel) is abhorrent to me.
It is fine to be “proud” of your race, color, religion, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation. To me, those things do not count nor should be recognized as primary as compared to “country”. If you’re not even more proud to be American, I am not even sure you could ‘celebrate’ those individual factors to the degree with which you can here as opposed to many other countries in the world. It’s a matter of knowing “which side your bread is buttered on” and NOT biting the hand that feeds you.
For example, being of southern European heritage, I am not enamored of all thing WASP-y. Yet, I recognize the tremendous accomplishments of those Puritans and Pilgrims and repay my initiation to the American ‘club’ with my patriotism and pay my ongoing benefits with the ‘dues’ of my cultural ‘compliance’. 100% No! but enough (80%) to be more of a positive constructor than a negative destructor.
No one stopped the Somalis’ from building ships and sailing to discover new lands. They did not dare the risk and therefore, do not deserve any reward of ‘charity’ only the reward of opportunity. So, maybe start small and simple with one’s name. I was named after my grandpa, Guiseppe but Joseph on my birth certificate. So, how about Michael instead of Miguel? Or Bill instead of Wilhelm? Or Margot instead of Margaux? Or Shannon instead of Shaniqua?
Individuality is fine and dandy but only at a ‘micro’ level after belonging to a ‘macro’ community like a country’s culture. Family, party, church, minority organization, team and interest group are all permitted under our free culture. It must be placed in the proper perspective, however. Otherwise, it appears, selfish, spoiled, disrespectful and even traitorous. Continually taking form a land without repaying anything is just like ‘stealing’ in my book and no one likes or tolerates thieves for very long. That time of “intolerance” has finally come for those of us who salute the flag and value our life’s blessings.