What is the Definition of American Culture?

rebelbase ^ | 5/21/03 | rebelbase

[headsonpikes]

'Red necks, white socks, and Blue Ribbon Beer'

It's a country song. ;^)

[Maelstrom]

Resistance is Futile

[Maelstrom]

Clausen just needs to escape the city.

[hunter112]

Haven't you heard? We don't have any culture!

As a jazz lover, I respectfully disagree. It's our oldest artistic cultural contribution to the world. Politically, our Constitution is a gift to the world, too, and many have been modeled after it.

[Khepera]

Don't Forget Bluegrass
It is an origional american form of music.
http://bluegrasspro.com/

[gcruse]

Got into a disagreement with someone who took the position that since we are a nation of immigrants, there is no one true "American Culture".

That's silly.  There is no fixed American culture.  Whatever the immigrants
bring,  they lose some as they assimilate, but not before such things happen
as (and this was twenty years ago) the largest per capita consumption of
jalopeno peppers is Atlanta, Georgia.

The culture is like a river.  You can never put your foot into the same
one twice, because it is always changing.  The banks remain, but there is no true river.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

The unique element of the US culture comes from the fact that we are a nation of immigrants. The United States of America is a country where if you wish you can become an American. Try moving to France and becoming a Frenchman. it doesn't work that way. Almost all other countries are the same. If you aren't native, you aren't really "true blue".

Yes. And even people who are born in a given country may not be accepted in it. I give you the Turks born in Germany of guest-worker parents . . . not actually German, but fluent native-speakers of the language (and no other). I could introduce you to one such--English is his third, not his second and certainly not his first, language. But he found a home in NY city, where "everyone is from somewhere else, and nobody thinks anything of it."

A "Turk" who loves Turkey but considers himself an American with a German accent. As soon as he can get naturalized . . .

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

American Culture is a mindset more then anything else.

American food is: basically slap every thing on a bun or stuff it in a wrap, why? Because you're in a hurry! Maybe you don't stop to smell the roses enough but at least you're going somewhere. Unlike many nations where the tendency is to drift with the current.

America Culture is: accepting. While you may live years in another country and never be accepted in America as long as you are willing to work and pull your own weight you are welcome.

American Culture is: Looking confused when someone tells you, "you should know your place and keep it." Your place? What the heck are they talking about? Your place is as high or as low as you want to go. And if you change your mind about where you want to be then go for it!

American Culture is: Forgiving. You are the fogivingest bunch I have ever seen. Not sure if the national motto shouldn't be, "Get over it! We have!" You are honestly confused by the grudges the rest of the world holds over this little thing and that little thing.

American Culture is: Open. Drive across the country. All of those houses and no fences. People can just walk right up to your door. No iron bars on the windows either. Sure you may find a few in big cities or among the very wealthy but in other countries the first thing you do is build a wall.

American Culture is: Caring. You worry about the world and are quick off the mark to care for someone in trouble.

American Culture is: Stable government. You have rules and you follow them. Things run in a timely fashion and according to a set schedule. You don't think that is a culture? Live a few years in a country that doesn't have it. Learn to jump at loud noises. Never know as you go to bed at night who will have the running of your life tomorrow. You remember the 2000 election? Try living like that for years on end.

American Culture is: Choices. You can be you. So simple yet in many countries who you will be is written from birth if not before. It does not matter what you want. Family and culture bind you. To reject those bindings is to be an outcast. The most beautiful words in any language, "I choose."

Just a few bedtime thoughts.

And now I choose to shut up and get some sleep.

[Agricola]

We have no distinct culture. But we have a political culture and it is based on Anglo jurisprudence. America has many forms of ethnic politics but we always come back too basic Anglo law. We don't have a common culture. Our Founders never thought we would. That is the basis of the federal system we adopted in 1789. But we lack that today don't we?

In fact- all of modern American politics could be boiled down to those who want one American culture and those who don't.