Thinking Critically

THE CONCEPT OF CULTURAL IDENTIFY

Thais Quinnia Hayes

Everest University

Basic Critical Thinking -6M

Professor: McCray

March 26, 2012

I am an American, and so the main influence in my life has been the American point of view. My Mother and Father Family came over on the Mayflower. My Fathers family came here in the 1700's to the south. His family was part of a large cotton plantation and they were slaves. They were also part of a slave trade company until the 1860's when the Northerners started a war. I do not believe being born on American ground or having "American blood" is what makes you American. Americans are born not made; to be Dominican would mean that you were born to parents in that Republic. To be Chinese that would mean your parents are Chinese. The United States is a melting pot of many different cultures. The absorption of all these cultures is what makes us American.

How can the concept of a national identity both unite and divide people?

This is a great question, Why, because A strong sagacity of national identity can connect citizens by making a group of individuals feel like part of a unified whole. For instance, after the terrorist’s attacks on 9/11, this nation experienced the strongest intellect of national identity, which I have personally ever witnessed. We as Americans were there for each other. A strong sense of national identity helped Americans heal from our wounds. We were all proud to be Americans.

However, all of this good feeling had a negative aspect. People who were NOT Americans, especially Arabs, were instantaneously suspects, an "Us-versus-Them" attitude quickly set in. Mosques vandalized, coercion as been made, and a sense of apprehension and chauvinism against anyone who looks to be Middle Eastern continues to this day.

Patriotism is a complex process. Being part of a nationality involves giving up some of you. A nation self-concept is constantly changing and evolving, and that progression...