How to Becoming an American Essay

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Introduction

In a controversial manner, the issues about ethnicity and immigration have continued to raise questions among those who live in America. Today, America has become the home place of millions of people who have diverse ethnicity. Some of the people living in America are immigrants who had left their homeland because of several reasons (Dublin 87). Some of the reasons why they left their countries include political conflicts, natural calamities, and search for better jobs and to raise their living standards.

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Having settled in America, these immigrants became part of the larger population which was mainly dominated by white people. Their assimilation into America probably was a tough experience for some of them who were closely attached to cultural ethnicity (Dublin 55). Thus there are those immigrants who found it difficult to adapt the American culture as they were already used to their own ethnicity. Eventually, the immigrants were absorbed into American culture though some of them did not get rid of their own ethnicity. Despite their multiculturalism, it was very essential for them to embrace the national unity.

In his book, Dublin raise questions about individuals and their relationship to ethnic and national identity. The objective of this paper therefore is to address the issue about individuals and their relationship to ethnic and national identity. The paper also discusses about my own ethnic identity and that of your paternal and maternal forbears (parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. In line with this, I will discuss how I can trace my ethnic roots, the aspects of ethnic culture (language, traditions, customs and holidays) that I still preserve. Apart from this, the paper will also discuss the extent in which my family and I have accepted assimilation in America. Finally, I will discuss what it means to be an American.

Ethnicity and National Identity

Ideally, many people are normally rooted to their various ethnic backgrounds. This has led to controversial issues concerning people’s ethnicity and their national unity. Considering the fact that multiculturalism exists in most countries, there is need for people to embrace national identity. Even with diverse ethnicity, citizens of a country can still living together and share their national identity. According to Dublin, ethnicity is an issue that has led to enmity among citizens of the same country (Dublin 21).

This is because some people are strongly attached to their ethnicity and are unable to appreciate other cultures. Multiculturalism has often led to enmity among people living within a certain region or country (Saha 47). In this case it may be impossible for an individual to realize his/her national identity. Regardless of any kind of ethnicity, an individual should be able to recognize the spirit of togetherness.

When migrants move into other countries, it is more appropriate for them to adapt new cultures. America for instance is a country which has been occupied by migrants from places such as Europe, Africa and Asia. As a matter of fact US have a big population of African American who are among many other citizens. Before migrating, these immigrants had their own ethnicity which was different from America’s culture. It was necessary for them to adapt to America’s culture after moving into the foreign country (Dublin 15).

Adjusting to their new country must have been very hard for some of them who were deeply rooted to their own cultures. Others might have also found it difficult to interact with people of different ethnicity. Naturally, this normally happens as people have to take time before they adapt to a new place. For the sake of national identity, individuals are usually, compelled to share common languages, culture and history with people from different ethnicity. These are basically aspects that units them as a nation irrespective of their ethnicity. For example in America, people share common cultures that identify them as one entity.

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As a result of this, they are all identified as Americans but not with their ethnicity. If Americans were to be identified with their individual cultures, it would only lead to conflicts among citizens. Achieving national identity can be difficult because people have different ideologies within their cultures. The way individuals behave is normally associated with their ethnicity which obliges them to certain actions (Saha 33).

In the modern world today, people have opportunities to share and interact with one another in places such as schools, churches, work places and social places. With such interactions, they are able to recognize and appreciate each other’s culture. Intermarriage is another factor that promotes national identity in a country. In other words, intermarriage enables people to adapt and appreciate other ethnicity. By doing this, intermarriage units people within a county and helps them develop national unity. For instance in US, the African American have intermarried with white Americans hence promoting national identity.

Apparently, there are some individuals who never like to be associated with their ethnicity. They would either ape other traditions or ignore their own cultures. The problem with such personality is that they fail to value their background and would not want to be associated with it (Saha 90). Even though there are few cases of racism in US, people are gradually identifying themselves as Americans but not with their ethnicity. The church has also played a big role in uniting people without dwelling on their cultural backgrounds. With all this unifying factors, Americans are able to embrace national unity and appreciate one another. As an American citizen, an individual must be ready to associate himself/herself with the unifying factors such as language which is English (Saha 22).

Ethnic Influence

I was 14 years old when my family and I migrated to America. I am an African America who was previously living in Jamaica before my family settled in America. We migrated because my father had got a very good job in America while my mother wanted to pursue her education in the country. By that time I was still in lower classes at one of the schools in Jamaica. Moving to US was not a great deal for me because I was going to miss my friends and some relatives. Initially, I was affected by the life in America which I was never used to. I dint like the kind of food that was prepared for me yet I still had to eat because I could not starve myself.

With time, I managed to get some new friends who really helped to adapt the American culture. Ever since we came to America, I have never gone back to my homeland where my grandmother still lives. As such, I have forgotten some of my cultures although I still remember some of them. According to my Jamaican culture, the dressing is normally designed with bright colors and has very unique styles. Some time back, my grandmother sent me her photos which she had taken recently. In the photos she was wearing colored dresses with bandanas which are also part of our Jamaican culture. She also wrote me a letter which was encouraging me to continue with my spiritual healing. This is a religious belief in Jamaica which I still honor greatly.

Of all the other Jamaican cultures, it’s only this religious belief that I mainly emulate. As such, I usually attend Jamaican church meetings that are held here in America. The church meetings are normally organized by American citizens who were previously staying in Jamaica. I value the meetings so much because they help me get spiritual nourishment. I have always desired to go back to Jamaica although my parents would never allow me.

They always tell me to concentrate with my life in America instead. For my parents, they also practice some Jamaican cultures like the way they dress and the food they eat. If I had the chance, I would not hesitate to go back and trace my roots in Jamaica. My main interest would be to familiarize myself with most of the cultures which I have already forgotten. Although I can not get the chance now, I am planning to go there when I will be having my own family. I am ready to take my children to my ancestral land where I will be able to trace my roots. In America, my family and I have adapted to the cultures of the country.

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Our assimilation into the country was not very difficult because we were familiar with English language. By using English, we were able to communicate easily with people. In America people are also civilized which makes it a better place to stay. I have been able to develop friendship with people from diverse ethnicity. The interactions have been helping me as I normally move from one state to the other. Generally I like America though I would desire to trace my roots in Jamaica.

Conclusion

Ethnicity is a fundamental aspect in everyone’s life. However individuals should not allow their ethnicity to separate them from other people. As a way of embracing national identity, people need to recognize and appreciate each other’s culture. As a matter of fact, there is no culture that is better than the other. It is important for people to identify themselves as one entity but not with their individual cultures.

Works Cited

Dublin, Thomas. Becoming American, Becoming Ethnic: College Students Explore Their Roots. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1996. Print.

Saha, Satosh. The politics of ethnicity and national identity. Michigan: The University of Michigan, 2007. Print.

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IvyPanda. 2021. "How to Becoming an American." December 22, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/how-to-becoming-an-american/.

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