Introduction
Culture is an important element of every nation and ethnicity. Gezon and Kottak claim that the definition of culture is complex and includes such aspects as “knowledge, belief, arts, morals law, custom, and any other capabilities and habits” (18). The United States of America has a specific cultural organization and other aspects. This essay discusses the main elements of the United States’ culture organization.
Main text
America is a country of immigrants. According to the Office of Immigration Statistics, the number of immigrants was always significant (United States 10). The amount of immigrants, who are obtaining a permanent lawful permanent resident status, is increasing by one million every year (the United States 10). Consequently, diverse and completely dissimilar ethnical groups influence cultural values, customs, and beliefs (Gezon 18). This fact explains diversity and variety in religion, languages, typical American meals, and other aspects of American culture. Immigrants make American culture interesting and original compared to other cultures of other nations.
Another important element of every culture is religion. The United States as a multicultural society has a variety of world religions presented on its territory. Asian immigrants brought religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism to American culture, and now these and other world religions are considered as an important part of American culture (Mulholland 362).
In terms of the influence of the other’s countries’ cuisines on the American culture, it can be said that today’s take-away food can be presented not only by regular fast food but also by French, Italian, Indian, and Asian dishes (Liberman 11). Indian and Asian dishes are gaining popularity since a majority of the immigrants come from Asia (United States 10).
American literature is an important element not only of American culture but also of the world’s heritage. Some American novels are rather historical and reflect the beliefs and attitudes of people who lived in the past (Gray 232). This fact makes American literature one of the most important elements of American culture organization.
Even though American culture is highly international, it still has its folklore and history. Christopher Columbus is a key figure of American culture. Columbus helped to transform the deserted land of Native Americans into “a civilized world” (Maffei 3). Columbus changed the flow of American history and brought its importance to the national level (Maffei 3). Moreover, apart from Columbus, there are many stories composed by Native Americans, which are also considered as an important part of American heritage (Gray 32). Nowadays history is a pivotal aspect of American culture organization.
Other parts of American culture include sports, politics, attitude, values, music, cinema, films, and other important elements. It is vital to understand that American society is constantly changing its beliefs and attitude towards social actions and values (Taylor 4) American culture is diverse; this fact makes to combine and develop new beliefs every day. Some of the actions, which were prohibited in the past, are legalized now (Taylor 4).
Conclusion
In conclusion, it can be said, that American multicultural background strongly influences its culture, VA Nowadays history as a pivotal aspect of American culture organization lues and beliefs. Immigrants, who come to the United States, bring a reflection of their customs to the modern culture of the United States. However, the United States of America saved the country’s values and folklore. This essay provides analysis only of the limited amount of aspects since culture has a complex definition.
Works Cited
Gezon, Lisa, and Conrad Kottak. Culture. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2014. Print.
Gray, Richard. A History of American Literature. Malden: Blackwell Pub., 2004. Print.
Liberman, Sherri. American Food by the Decades. Santa Barbara: Greenwood, 2011.Print.
Maffei, Sam. “Christopher Columbus”. The Italian Voice 83.20 (2014): 3-4. Print.
Mulholland, Kenneth. “World Religions in America: An Introduction.” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 45.3 (2002): 362-363. Print.
Taylor, Paul. “American Culture: Transforming Daily.” The Charleston Gazette 31 May. 2014: 4. Print.
United States Department of Homeland Security. Yearbook of Immigration Statistics: 2013. Washington: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Immigration Statistics, 2014. Print.