American Society - Melting Pot or Salad Bowl

MELTING POT OR SALAD BOWL

Some people describe American society as a salad bowl while others see it as a melting pot. In a sense both are correct depending upon one’s point of view. This ethnic multiplicity is a result of the history of immigration. Until the Immigration Law of 1924 the country was a "melting pot" of nations. The original settlers of the Atlantic colonies were chiefly from the British Isles. In addition numerous black African slaves were imported to work the plantations in the South. By the mid-19th century, as settlement of the West was accelerating, Irish and German immigrants came in great numbers soon to be followed by Scandinavians. After the Civil war the new arrivals were mainly from east and south Europe. Since World War II there has been an influx of Spanish speaking people especially Mexicans. In recent years there have been large numbers from Africa, Asia and Latin America.

In a bowl of freshly tossed salad, all the ingredients are mixed together. Yet they never lose their shape, form or identity. Together, however, the ingredients make up a unity. In a sense, all the ingredients of a salad contribute to the finished product. They may be covered with the same dressing, but the green vegetables, tomatoes, lettuce and eggs can all be seen for what they are.

From this point of view, America is very much like a salad bowl where individual ethnic groups blend together, yet maintain their cultural uniqueness. They may work together during the day at similar jobs and in identical companies, but at night they may return to their ethnic communities where the flavor of their individual culture dominates their way of life. This is why perhaps there is so much diversity within America. Each ethnic group has its own special interests, language, food, customs and traditions to protect and defend. This idea of the salad bowl is referred to by sociologists