Only in America..

I think it is interesting that in America we can find evidence of various types of assimilation and pluralism. This makes me think, what does it really mean to be American? Going off of Staci’s post below, Americans can identify themselves as Hispanic, African American, Irish, Italian, and Chinese etc. At what point will we stop naming all of our ethnicities and just simply call ourselves American? I remember in fourth grade we had to make a recipe book as a Christmas gift to our parents, we each brought in one recipe that represents our heritage. One girl, who was a friend of mine, brought in an “American” recipe. Our teacher asked her if she was from Native American descent, the girl replied with a simple “no” and explained that her Mom told her she was American. I remember this incident to this very day because I thought she was so stupid for saying she was “American.” But now I am thinking, what does that really mean, what is an “American”? Maybe this sounds stupid to everyone reading this, but when I think about this story, chapter four, and Staci’s post; I do not really know where America stands on race and ethnic relations. We see incidences of stereotyping, discrimination, cultural assimilation, multiculturalism, biological assimilation, etc. Does anyone have any opinion on what being American means and what life in the United States is about for peoples of different races and ethnicities? Also, is this ambiguity typical of other countries or just ours?