What Ethnic Diversity Means For America
In cultural terms, the American culture is unique. Given the time in history when the first European settlers came to the new world, the Americas – and the United States in particular – have developed multi-ethnic cultures that are highly adaptive, very creative and, without question, confusing.
Although what I write here is derived primarily from my own observations of life and culture here in the USA, I imagine that to one extent or another, these observations also hold true in much of the Americas. You see, with very few exceptions, almost everyone who lives in the Americas is related to someone who came from somewhere else (i.e. another country outside of the Americas).
And confronted with a harsh, if not downright hostile, natural environment and limited consumable resources, our ancestors had to learn to rely on one another to maintain their existence. Later generations of immigrants to the Americas faced similar challenges – although the times and problems were different.
As generations passed and cultures layered themselves one atop the other, a synthesis occurred (and is still happening). This multi-cultural synthesis is rich in its diversity and sometimes painful in its own, inner conflict. But it’s part of what makes this place so unique and so creative. Without the layering of cultures, the world would not have jazz, the tradition of a free press, publicly funded school systems or the Internet.
Creativity is not always a quiet, little process that results in a beautiful painting or ingenious new idea. In fact, creativity is often violent and conflicted. Nowhere else but in the culture of America is that better demonstrated.
While cultural conflicts aren’t necessarily a pretty thing – many times the resolution to that conflict is.
America’s diversity as a nation has contributed and will continue to drive its spirit of creativity and innovation. Conflicts, or at least the threat of conflict, will force people to see things they may not normally want to see – and, most importantly, the threat of conflict will inspire a select few to find a resolution.
Cultures adapt over time. America’s blend of cultures means we’re often adapting in fits and starts. Sometimes ahead. Sometimes behind. It’s a beat that sounds like a different drummer to those who are not familiar with our country or how we cope with change. But it is our drummer.
To each, a beat of his own.
Technorati Tags: Marketing, Advertising, B2B Marketing, Ethnic Advertising, Minority Marketing, Client Management, Leadership, Creative Thinking, Culture, Cultural Diversity
(c) 2006 - Brand Central Station, all rights reserved. For more information on Brand Central Station, please visit our website.
Although what I write here is derived primarily from my own observations of life and culture here in the USA, I imagine that to one extent or another, these observations also hold true in much of the Americas. You see, with very few exceptions, almost everyone who lives in the Americas is related to someone who came from somewhere else (i.e. another country outside of the Americas).
And confronted with a harsh, if not downright hostile, natural environment and limited consumable resources, our ancestors had to learn to rely on one another to maintain their existence. Later generations of immigrants to the Americas faced similar challenges – although the times and problems were different.
As generations passed and cultures layered themselves one atop the other, a synthesis occurred (and is still happening). This multi-cultural synthesis is rich in its diversity and sometimes painful in its own, inner conflict. But it’s part of what makes this place so unique and so creative. Without the layering of cultures, the world would not have jazz, the tradition of a free press, publicly funded school systems or the Internet.
Creativity is not always a quiet, little process that results in a beautiful painting or ingenious new idea. In fact, creativity is often violent and conflicted. Nowhere else but in the culture of America is that better demonstrated.
While cultural conflicts aren’t necessarily a pretty thing – many times the resolution to that conflict is.
America’s diversity as a nation has contributed and will continue to drive its spirit of creativity and innovation. Conflicts, or at least the threat of conflict, will force people to see things they may not normally want to see – and, most importantly, the threat of conflict will inspire a select few to find a resolution.
Cultures adapt over time. America’s blend of cultures means we’re often adapting in fits and starts. Sometimes ahead. Sometimes behind. It’s a beat that sounds like a different drummer to those who are not familiar with our country or how we cope with change. But it is our drummer.
To each, a beat of his own.
Technorati Tags: Marketing, Advertising, B2B Marketing, Ethnic Advertising, Minority Marketing, Client Management, Leadership, Creative Thinking, Culture, Cultural Diversity
(c) 2006 - Brand Central Station, all rights reserved. For more information on Brand Central Station, please visit our website.
posted by Mike Bawden at 9:39 AM
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2 Comments:
Interesting post.
Although I have never been to North America, I think I understand very well what you are saying. This is because there is one other country in the world where a similar mutlicultural society has led to such a creative culture - namely Australia. Although, because of the size of its population, it is not in the same league as the US, multiculturalism has led to Australia being an extremely creative and open society.
P.S. Nice site.
Besides America and Australia; I thought I would mention that Canada does in fact exist. Interesting article.
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