The Diversity Of The United States Research Paper Example

The United States of America’s narrative is founded on diversity. As a nation, it has been perceived as the land of opportunity and plenty for varied ethnicities, races, cultures, and religion. It is home to many of no individual group that can clearly cite to be more American than any other (Frey, 2014). Each of the ethnic groups has its distinct culture but through fusion many of these cultures have merged to form a hybrid culture that is founded on being American.
There are six recognized racial and ethnic groups in America. They are namely White American, Asian American, Native American, Black American and Alaska American. There is also the presence of the multiracial group whose members belong to more than one race due to integration that has occurred in America over the years (Parrillo, 2009). Much of the American diversity is credited to the various events that led to the discovery, colonialization and independence of America. The first inhabitants of America were Red Indians who were displaced by settlers from Europe (Frey, 2014). The settlers participated in trade that saw the rise of the slave trade that led to the influx of Africans and Asians into the Americas. Immigration in subsequent years also saw the diversity of America grows. The immigration was mainly fostered by the industrial age that America enjoyed as well its economic development. Many immigrants arrived in search of opportunity bringing with them their distinctive cultures into America.
It is only after independence and following regime changes that saw America appreciate itself as a land of diverse cultures and people. The country adopted philosophies and even laws that appreciated equality and equity for all (Parrillo, 2009). The American Dream, for instance, has to date been the foundation of the American diversity. Many American leaders such as Martin Luther King have evoked it in their quest for equality treatment and opportunity for all regardless of their ethnic and racial grouping.

References

Frey, W. H. (2014). Diversity Explosion: How New Racial Demographics are Remaking America. Washington: Brookings Institution Press.
Parrillo, V. N. (2009). Diversity in America. Thousand Oaks, CA: Pine Forge Press.