History

Cultural pluralism is a term used to describe the identity of minority groups within a large society. The smaller group maintains its cultural identities, values and practices. The  practices  of  such groups  within a  large  society are  usually  accepted by the  dominant  society. A pluralistic society involves  different  groups where cultures  coexist without  conflicts, minority groups uphold their  customs and  tolerance  for  one another is  maintain at a certain degree. Various cultural values contribute to progress of a nation in particular aspects as compared to a single culture. Cultural pluralism borrows some  dynamics  from  Biblical teachings for instance the  Bible  teaches that every  individual should  not  do something  that they would  not like  the  others do unto them (Maufort, 1995).

Cultural pluralism can be compared with traditional concept of America as a melting point in various concepts such as assimilation of immigrants in U.S. The incorporation of minority cultural values within a wider society is similar to cultural evolution in America over the past two decades. Cultural pluralism and concept of America as a melting point can be compared in the aspect of incorporating different ethnic groups in a wider society whereby each group observes their cultural values without segregation. The metaphor of America as a melting pot was used to describe fusion of different ethnicities, cultures and nationalities as were the sentiments in cultural pluralism. It is a term used to idealize the process of immigration and colonization that led to emergence of America (Maufort, 1995). The immigrants in America adopted the cultural values of their host but without abandonment of their native culture.

On the other hand, the metaphor of America as a melting pot contradicts cultural pluralism in certain areas. While cultural pluralism ideology is to accept common cultural value, America as a melting pot ideology supports such provisions. Melting pot concept sees things in the aspect of immigrants who came to America as slaves. This is a way of cultural assimilation and acculturation whereby the former is an implication of ethnic intermarriage and melting of culture. Cultural acculturation can occur without intermarriages and a good example is a case where African American is integrated into American culture and institutions (Brooks, 2002). Unlike in cultural pluralism where different cultures are used to promote unity and strength, the incorporation of other cultures in America is considered as a way of degrading U.S national character.

Cultural pluralism breaks down in the concept of equality among men and women. This has been the major accomplishment of Western society although it is incompatible with teachings of the Quran. Woman mistreatment in Western society is associated with cultural pluralism. Melting pot ethnic relations theory is centered on equity and American identity. The respect for individual right is the first priority of government and equality is appreciated (Brooks, 2002).

America today as per my view is a nation based on melting pot theory of ethnic relations. Many individuals in U.S are immigrants from Europe, Italia, Africa and other neighboring nations. These immigrants were considered as racially and culturally distinct from Protestant Americans. In America, the rate of intermarriages has increased. Anglo-Americans and white immigrants intermarried and this has been accepted as a concept of melting pot theory. By 20th century, the Native Americans agreed that African-American culture heavily influenced American culture and this led to incorporation of various cultural values.