The arrival of Europeans in America during the 18th century brought about a significant transformation in the country’s identity. The geographical location within America, whether it be in the north or south regions, plays a major role in shaping individual identity. Americans now define themselves not based on race, religion, or ethnicity but rather by shared values and personal freedom. Similar to a salad bowl, America embraces diversity in terms of races, religions, and people from different nationalities. The unique origins of each person contribute to their distinct identity as they all come from diverse backgrounds. Each state within America offers its own unique qualities, resulting in a nation that is a blend of cultures and races.
Your identity is shaped by various factors such as your upbringing, gender, and education. When it comes to managing multiple languages, countries, like India, acknowledge this challenge by recognizing nineteen languages, including English. In his article “Should English be the Law?”, Robert King argues that passing language laws in a free society rarely alters attitudes or behaviors (442). People come to America seeking freedom, not to be dictated on what language to speak. Forcing people to conform in terms of language or actions goes against the principles of a free country.
In her work “Good Immigrant Student,” Bich Nugygen explores her experience as a student fluent in both English and Vietnamese. Nugygen’s step-mother, Rosa, enrolled her and her sister Anh in a bilingual school where the primary language spoken was English. However, their racial background significantly influenced their identities. Regrettably, the sisters faced mistreatment from teachers who judged them based on their ethnicity. One teacher even expressed astonishment at “a foreigner winning our spelling bee!” (Nguyen 461). This mistreatment has led Bich to develop a resentment towards speaking Vietnamese. It is disheartening to witness how individuals are frequently subjected to discrimination due to their limited proficiency in English or Spanish.
It is recommended that teachers commence Spanish instruction for children at a young age due to their heightened language acquisition abilities during this stage. The issue of race has been present since the early stages of societal development, resulting in segregation and isolation among various racial groups. While interracial relationships exist amongst Americans, concerns arise regarding the eventual homogeneity of the nation. In the 1960s, African Americans experienced feelings of exclusion within the school system as they were separated into distinct schools. In Robert King’s “Should English be the law?,” the author advocates for a unified language and culture by stating, “we must have but one flag. We must also have but one language” (King 435).
If we all spoke one language, our identity and culture would be crushed. A person’s identity makes up who they are. We have one flag, and that flag represents freedom. To some, America represents home and to others it stands for freedom, refuge or the land of opportunities. America is a salad bowl full of races and cultures from around the world. One of the main reasons for migrations is because we all want freedom, but America does not have a single identity to call its own.
We speak just about every language there is in America. In schools, we speak English but in our homes and just about everywhere else we speak our native language.
Students in middle and high school receive instruction in Spanish, French, and Italian. According to King (440), doctors employed in state hospitals are obligated to communicate with patients using Solvak, even if it would be more advantageous to utilize a different language for diagnosis and treatment. In American hospitals, English is the primary language spoken by doctors who rely on interpreters for translation services. It is unjust to expect individuals to forsake their identity solely due to a lack of knowledge in English. One’s upbringing and interactions with others significantly influence their sense of self. America is renowned for its diversity and multitude of cultures; nevertheless, there is no universal consensus regarding which culture holds superiority.
America lacks a strong ethnic origin, resulting in a weak cultural identity. While English is not the official language, there is political pressure to establish it as such. However, this should not be concerning as it does not cause harm. Bilingual education in modern times serves both assimilation and preservation purposes, showing that children can benefit from knowing two languages (King 440; Bich 440).
Bilingualism provides individuals with greater opportunities in life, such as higher-paying jobs and the ability to pass this advantage on to their children. It also offers children a broader cultural perspective. In America, diversity is celebrated, and people from different races and religions come together to form one country, similar to a salad bowl. However, even within America, there are noticeable differences between the north and south in terms of atmosphere and the characteristics of its people. An individual’s identity is influenced by their environment and the people they associate with. As a nation, America is continuously moving towards a more inclusive society that embraces people of all races.
