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Alternate meaning: crucible (science)
The melting pot is a metaphor for the way in which heterogenous societies develop, in which the ingredients in the pot (iron, tin; people of different backgrounds and religions, etc.) are processed until they lose their discrete identities and yield a final product of uniform consistency and flavor, but which is quite different from the original inputs. This process is also known as amalgamation.
The metaphor of the melting pot comes from Englishman Israel Zangwill's play The Melting Pot, which was first performed in Washington, D.C. in 1908.
The melting pot idea is most strongly associated with the 19th century United States. It was believed that the floods of immigrants coming to America worked to shed their historic identities and adopt the American way. The use of the English language also strengthen the melting pot ideology.
The idea of multiculturalism is often put forward as an alternative to amalgamation. This theory, which contrasts to the melting pot theory, is described as the salad bowl theory, or, in Canada, the cultural mosaic. In the multicultural approach, each "ingredient" retains its integrity and flavor, while contributing to a successful final product. In recent years, this approach has been officially adopted in traditional melting-pot societies such as Canada and Britain, with the intent of becominig more tolerant of immigrant diversity. It is difficult to assess how extensively a single country follows one approach or another, often immigrants themselves make the decision. The modern United States, for example, has elements of both multicultural and melting-pot approaches.
In amalgamation, new arrivals are assimilated into the dominant culture, multiculturalism takes a more pluralistic approach.
Today, the idea of an American melting pot has developed into an issue of much debate. Many multiculturalists argue that the melting pot theory is simply an instrument of intolerance that forces third world peoples and other immigrants to abandon their cultures in order to be accepted into American society. American nationalists (proponents of the melting pot theory), on the other hand, assert that multiculturalism will only destroy the great American experiment due to the ethnic divisions and economic burden that multiculturalism creates. Therefore this issue encompasses a number of issues ranging from idealism and realism, socialism and capitalism, and more.
Multiculturalist view of the "melting pot" theory
Multiculturalists claim that assimilation can have negative implications for minority or native cultures, in that after assimilation the distinctive features of the minority or native culture will be minimized and may disappear altogether. In support of this, multiculturalists point to situations where institutions of the dominant culture initiate programs to assimilate or integrate minority cultures.
Although some multiculturalists admit that assimilation may result in a relatively homogenous society, with a strong sense of nationalism, they warn however, that where minorities are strongly urged to assimilate, there may arise groups which fiercely oppose integration. With assimilation, immigrants lose their original cultural (and often linguistic) identity and so do their children. Immigrants who fled persecution or a country devastated by war were historically resilient to abandoning their heritage once they had settled in a new country.
Assimilation can also be forced, as well as voluntary. Perhaps the best known application of forced assimilation is in regards to the United States. In 1879, Army Captain Richard Pratt opened the United States Indian Training and Industrial School in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The school integrated Indians into white society, and took "before and after" photographs.
American multiculturalists typically support open borders or weak immigration control, bilingual education, affirmative action and international unity above national patriotism.
Nationalist view of the "melting pot" theory
Whereas multiculturalist tend to view the melting pot theory as oppressive, nationalists tend to view the idea as advantageous to both a government and its people.
For example, American nationalists believe that the United States has developed into the worlds greatest democracy because it has been able to build one nation from many peoples. They argue that by separating Americans by ethnicity or race through bilingualism, ethnic separatism, and affirmative action, not only harms the groups it is intended to help, but also undermines the American core principles of liberty and equality. By allowing all people, without regard to race or background, to have equal opportunity in obtaining personal freedom and economic prosperity (as America does), they alone will choose to become part of the American melting pot in order to create a culture that can stand as a beacon to all the world. They argue that this new American culture should be the glue that holds the people of this nation together. With a lack of racial and ethnic boundaries, American-made peoples from all walks of life will work together to lead the world to a bright future through the example of unity. Nationalists believe that multiculturalism is simply shattering the goal of national unity.
American nationalists also argue that the multiculturalist policy of open borders is simply unrealistic pointing at the economy's inability to cope with such an influx of low-skilled immigrants from third world countries. Lack of full economic assimilation among these low-skilled immigrants is a trend that many nationalists believe will prevent economic assimilation for subsequent generations. Some propose a closed border policy citing that the old American melting pot has completed its course. The other side of the aisle wishes to create strict controls on immigration that would allow for only selected immigrants to join in the continuing melting pot.
American nationalists in full support of the melting pot theory typically call for closed borders or strict immigration control, English-only in public schools, and end to affirmative action and strong American patriotism.
A Compromise between Multiculturalists and Nationalists?
There also exists a view that attempts to reconcile some of the differences between multiculturalists and nationalists. Proponents of this view propose that immigrants to the United States need not completely abandon their culture and traditions in order to reach the goal that the melting pot theory seeks. This reasoning relies on the assumption that immigrants will ultimately consider themselves American first and a citizen of their nation of birth second. In this way, they may still retain and practice all of their cultural traditions but "when push comes to shove" they will put America first. Because being "American" should be of utmost importance to immigrants with this mindset, they will in no way hinder the progress, unity and growth that nationalists argue are the results of the melting pot theory while simultaneously appeasing some of the multiculturalists fears.
This compromised view also supports a strong stance on immigration, English as primary language in school with the option to study foriegn languages and American patriotism. A consensus on affirmative action does not currently exist. Proponents of this compromise claim that the difference with this view and that of the nationalists is that while the nationalists' view of the melting pot strips immigrants of their culture, the compromise allows immigrants to continue practicing and propagating their cultures from generation to generation and yet sustain and instill a love for America first and above all.
Assimilation policy
Cultural assimilation is adhered to by most European countries. One such example is that of France, which started granting citizenship to all without regards to origin or religion after the French revolution. However, it was always expected then that when immigrants demanded French citizenship, they wanted to become French nationals. The idea behind this way of thinking presupposed that one day all peoples would free themselves from their repective monarchies and accomplish that which occurred in France with regard to citizenship. The belief was that this would then allow for the elimination of the invisible national boundaries that tend to create so much tension and animosity between different groups of people and that the world would be one united nation rather than hundreds of feuding nations. However, since not all peoples succeeded at overthrowing the monarchy in their home country and some (like the Jews or the Gypsies) no longer had a homeland, a clash of nationalisms occurred inside countries that were very liberal. Such a clash is what nationalists claim is occurring in America through multiculturalist policies.
The melting pot in pop culture
The melting pot remains a stock phrase in American political and cultural dialogue. The general perception of its process and effects can be summed up in "The Great American Melting Pot" song from Schoolhouse Rock!
- My grandmother came from Russia
- A satchel on her knee,
- My grandfather had his father's cap
- He brought from Italy.
- They'd heard about a country
- Where life might let them win,
- They paid the fare to America
- And there they melted in.
- Lovely Lady Liberty
- With her book of recipes
- And the finest one she's got
- Is the great American melting pot
- America was founded by the English,
- But also by the Germans, Dutch, and French.
- The principle still sticks;
- Our heritage is mixed.
- So any kid could be the president.
- You simply melt right in,
- It doesn't matter what your skin,
- It doesn't matter where you're from,
- Or your religion, you jump right in
- To the great American melting pot
- The great American melting pot.
- Ooh, what a stew, red, white, and blue.
- America was the New World
- And Europe was the Old.
- America was the land of hope,
- Or so the legend told.
- On steamboats by the millions,
- In search of honest pay,
- Those nineteenth century immigrants sailed
- To reach the U.S.A.
- They brought the country's customs,
- Their language and their ways.
- They filled the factories, tilled the soil,
- Helped build the U.S.A.
- Go on and ask your grandma,
- Hear what she has to tell
- How great to be American
- And something else as well.
See also
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