Article

Professor Harper

English 1A

September 15, 2014

American Identities

In Creating America, Joyce Moser and Ann Watters argue, “In understanding American identities, we need to come to terms with unity and division, with separateness and common ground.” This becomes clear when one relates to the contradiction that is American Identities. One must also comprehend the irony that plays a part of when defining American identities. In following the real and ideal concept shows in great significant the argument that is the American identity. The question of what is the American identity can be answer on a personal thought of whom one is. Although there is a political barrier that allows prevention for one to be consider a true America. When coming to a better knowledge of the similarities and differences between one and others can help out to define Moser and Watters argument. Moser and Watters argument becomes clear when being supported by a variety of evidence.

First, in the article “Does America Still Exist?” by Richard Rodriguez expresses the argument of American identity and supporting Moser’s and Watters argument. Rodriguez writes, “melting pot has been retired, clanking, into the museum of quaint disgrace, alongside Aunt Jemima and the Katzenjammer Kids. But resistance to assimilation is characteristically American. It only makes clear how inevitable the process of assimilation actually is.” There are varieties of different immigrants that come to America for a better life with their historical cultures and think they can prevent themselves on adapting to the lifestyle here in America. Having this in mind it can relate to American identity by one becoming and adapting over time to what is now America, regardless on one’s cultural differences. Rodriguez’s article also shows the separateness and common ground there is in the immigrants. The separateness comes from everyone being different and wanting to keep their cultural habits within themselves, which can...