ContentІ. The background of a term.ІІ. Promise.ІІІ. Reality: 1) Racism; 2) Heterogeneity of nation; 3) Intolerance; 4) Division of territory.ІV. Way out: 1) Americanization; 2) Hyphenated Americans.

At the beginning of this century, as steamers poured into American ports, their steerages filled with European immigrants, a Jew from England named Israel Zangwill penned a play whose story line has long been forgotten, but whose central theme has not. His production was entitled "The Melting Pot“.

The background of a term

Its message still holds a tremendous power on the national imagination – the promise that all immigrants can be transformed into Americans, a new alloy forged in a crucible of democracy, freedom and civic responsibility.

Promise

Ideally, USA plays a role of hospitable hostess that accepts everybody under her control and lets them keep their own uniqueness giving them equal rights and an ability to self-realize.

RealityIn reality there are problems caused by the fact that people of different backgrounds, habits and preferences have to live together.

1. Racism.

2. Heterogeneity of nation.

3. Intolerance.

4. Division of territory.

RacismRacism and ethnic discrimination in the United States has been a major issue since the colonial era and the slave era. Legally sanctioned racism imposed a heavy burden on Native Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, Jewish Americans, Arab Americans, and Latin Americans.

Heterogeneity of nation

It’s clear that when you think of a typical American you can’t visualise person and be right. The reason of it hides in that fact that Americans are a mixed nation. Never have they been a clear crowd of people with, at least, same physical features.

AfricanHispanicAmerican American

AsianAmerican

JewishAmerican

IntoleranceAs people get used to their own traditions, holidays, behaviour, languages, it is sometimes hard for them to accept the culture of others. As they cling to their ethnic group, people find it hard to communicate with those who are not like they.

Division of territory

Just because people of other ethnic groups found, at some point, it hard or impossible to be accepted, they have united. Thus separate towns, districts and streets appeared. The people’s majority on these territories define whether Chinese, African, Italian, Russian or etc., only live there.

Chinatown, San Francisco

East Los-Angeles (Indian)

Holy Trinity Church, Chicago (Russian)

Way OutEven though there are problems caused by the changes in American population, there are also ways of fighting with the growing hatred among the people. The final aims of these steps are to keep the country complete and to bring peace.

1. Americanization.

2. Hyphenated Americans.

AmericanizationAs long as USA is a great country, which has its own culture, history and rules, everyone immigrating there should remember that he’s stepping on the land which deserves being treated respectfully. Moreover country mustn’t be changed by the people, but should teach newcomers its rules.So ideally, there must be no ethnical groups in States, though the nation of people going in one direction – improving their country.

Hyphenated Americans

There’s a way for those, who moving in the States want to keep their national identity. The people are allowed to have two citizenship. In other words, you may speak your own language, have your own habits and so on, as long as you like. However be cool and learn the language and the traditions of the country you’re living in!

‘‘American Gothic’’G.Wood

The End