As recalled from
As recalled from Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.'s text
The Disuniting of America-Reflections on a Multicultural Society with many interjections of my own..........
We are disuniting America
What happens when people of different ethnic origins, speaking different languages, professing different religions, ideals, and beliefs settle in the same geographic locality?
Hostility and Chaos
A lack of Patriotism
Unless a common purpose binds people together, ethnic hostilities will drive them apart.
How has the United States been able to do, successfully for the last 200 years, what no other nation in the world has been able to do?
E Pluribus Unum (out of many, one)
The U.S. Founding Fathers had a brilliant solution for the inherent fragility of a multiethnic society; the creation of one brand new national identity, carried forward by individuals who, in forsaking old loyalties and joining to make new lives, melted away ethnic differences. (UNIFICATION into one new people)
Translating diversity into Unity has been our American Creed
An American-one who leaves behind him all of his ancient prejudices and manners, receives new ones from the new mode of life he has embraced, the new government he obeys, and the new rank he holds. (Crevecoeur)
How have we perpetuated the message and promise of Individual Liberty and Freedom?
How have we helped immigrants assimilate?
Our Education System
But, why recently are we experiencing a movement toward multiracial fragmentation in this country?
We have belittled Unum and glorified Pluribus
Ethnic groups have decided to search for the roots of their past rather then to look to the possibilities of their futures.
This is exactly the opposite of what had served us so well for so long.
In an effort to boost the self esteem of certain ethnic groups, some are trying to manipulate history. The use of history as therapy means the corruption of history as history, and the use of history as a weapon.
Learning from history, not changing history promotes success in the future.
While knowing about other cultures is a wonderful thing that will enrich our nation, continued emphasis on cultural differences will only stand to replace unity with fragmentation.
Bilingualism, defeated seven years after the adoption of the constitution, insured English to be our national language rather than having two languages English and German.
Bilingualism is another issue threatening to fragment our nation as it has in Quebec, Canada.
While knowledge of other languages is enriching and even critical in today’s world, bilingualism promotes separatism, multiracial segregation, and group identity rather than integration, individual identity, and assimilation.
Will the campaign against common ideals and a single society, waged by radical pressure groups, fail?
Yes, if pressure groups are not given the choice of our textbooks and courses that will betray both our history and our education.
Yes, if our students understand they are Americans first and what it truly means to be American.
Yes, if we continue to melt into our own race of Americans.
The desire for achievement and success in American Society remains a potent force for assimilation if we remain a capitalistic society.
If new immigrants celebrate not only what is distinctive in their own backgrounds, but what they hold in common with the rest of their new nation, America will continue to thrive.
Those that tear themselves and this country apart when they complain they can't get anywhere in this life because of things that were done to their race in the past must understand, faith in our constitution, the way it was designed, will continue to right wrongs and continually re-shape the face of our nation that has worked for so many for so long.
We can't mess with success!
Help make America great assimilate!
Let's celebrate the things that unite us rather than the differences that tear us apart!
