It was less than 10 years ago when I went on a class trip to Ellis Island. My social studies class was focusing on the growth of European immigration, so it seemed fitting to visit this meager and rather desolate island to gain a sense of its former importance as the point of entry for millions of immigrants. American history paints a grim picture of this time: overcrowded ethnic ghettos, sweatshops and persecution. Yet in the end, these tough times are given silver lining, for America gained the label of a “melting pot” nation, a place designed around the capitalist dream and open for all those who seek it.
Over the past century, the inflow of immigrants to this country has declined, but never stopped. European emigration slowed only to be replaced by the influx of impoverished people from areas such as Central America, Middle East and Indonesia.
Unfortunately, 100 years later, the burden placed on a society that has always maintained its “melting pot” status clearly outweighs the benefits. Let us face the truth and realize that the economic infrastructure of this nation is not enough to make our ethnic diversity a non-issue. Our democracy should trump our capitalist economy, but it doesn’t. The main reason is that today and for several decades earlier, our government has reached the unsurpassable roadblock of addressing the nation as a whole without favoring or shunning certain cultures and ideologies.
The fact that our government (all parties included) is at a virtual standstill is by no means the direct fault of an ethnically and racially mixed society. The initial problem comes from our politicians, who, in a constant attempt to secure reelection, place their local constituents above the national party’s objectives. In doing so, it comes as no surprise that two Democrats, one representing rural Minnesota and another the city of Miami, will not see eye to eye on any of the myriad of problems we have in this country. Does the fact that Minnesota’s middle-lower class Caucasian farmers think differently from Miami’s Hispanic shop owners make a difference? Of course it does, and it also shows just how little this country has truly developed into a melting pot nation.
Our size allows for a natural form of segregation, one chosen by the citizens and one that could create an unsolvable problem in the future. While it is difficult not to support diversity, it is simply ignorant to assume that blending of cultural attitudes has ever been successful in this country. We are coaxed into a false sense of security that crossing cultural boundaries is in fact a staple of our society: hip-hop’s transcendence into White America, “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” Taco Bell. Tacos and subtitles are hardly an affirmation that this nation can proudly hold the title “United” States.
This is a vast nation. Racial-ethnic differences are only one of many variables that breed contrasting viewpoints toward the direction this country should move. However, it is one of the cornerstones that often serve as a founding principle for the various ideologies in this nation. In principle, our democracy welcomes these ideas, contrasting innovative solutions to social problems allow for debates, theories and ultimately, action.
In this democracy the people are given the power of choice; the politicians are left with the task of applying it to society. When the public is unable to form majority decisions on social issues it hurts itself. From a racial perspective, the troubling question is no longer whether we can guarantee equal rights for all Americans, but whether as a society we can form solid decisions as a country so that our democracy will be able to act on the will of the people.
This country has developed through slow, calculated change socially, economically and politically. It is safe to say that we have reached a new road, which will change our nation’s evolutionary path. In electing George W. Bush, America has sadly backtracked by empowering an individual who promotes a social agenda centered around his own culturally influenced morals. Is it wrong to be devoted to one’s individualism when leading this country? No, but it is certainly a pragmatic solution to unite a heterogeneous society and can only lead to further discordance between his followers and opponents.
Bush is not the real problem, but is symbolic of the unfortunate state of our government. In light of the recent tragedies that took place, this issue of racial tension will obviously rise from the shadows where its hidden influence has been overlooked by society. No longer can we try and ignore a problem that may never go away.