美国文化第二讲.pptVIP

美国文化第二讲 Traditional American Values and Beliefs I. The context of traditional American values: racial, ethnic, religious, and cultural diversity Greater diversity of racial, ethnic, cultural and religious groups than any other country – native Americans throughout the continent, Spanish settlers in the Southwest and Florida, French missionaries and fur traders along the Mississippi, black slaves from Africa, Dutch settlers in New York, Germans in Pennsylvania, and the British colonists, whose culture eventually provided the language and foundation for the political and economic systems that developed in the US. Cultural diversity or cultural pluralism Today, there is more recognition of the value of cultural pluralism (as a strength) than at any other time in the history of the US, though some may not be enthusiastic about or even may be frightened by it. National identity How can a nation of such enormous diversity produce a recognizable national identity? John Zogby, an American pollster, says: what holds the United States together is that “we all share a common set of values that make us American…. We are defined by the rights we have…. Our rights are our history, why the first European settlers came and why millions more have come here since.” The land of opportunity, attracting millions of immigrants from all over the world The opportunities and experiences they had there nurtured a set of values: chance for individual freedom, equality of opportunity, and material wealth, with the prices to be paid for these – self-reliance, competition, and hard work II. Individual Freedom and Self-Reliance By freedom, Americans mean the desire and the right of all individuals to control their own destiny without outside interference from the government, a ruling noble class, the church, or any other organized authorities. Individual freedom – the most basic value, attracting millions of immigrants The earliest settlers came to escape control by king