American Culture

It seems to me that "American Culture" is an appropriate topic for "Independence" week, don't you agree? I've come up with ten items that represent for me what makes this melting-pot nation of ours so unique. For these, I am told by people of other nations, are how they know us best.

1. We are called Americans. It is a name given us by the Europeans before our independence.
2. Our language is English. It has an unmatched capacity for assimilating our immigrants and for that reason alone we should embrace and guard it.
3. Our government is a representative democracy. Oft said, "It is not perfect but better than any alternative."
4. Our flag is "Old Glory." We fly her often and with great pride like no other nation in the world.
5. Our economy is free-market capitalism. The result is a vibrant, changing, creative socioeconomic system.
6. Our food is bountiful and varied. American agriculture remains unchallenged and the cheeseburger tasty till death.
7. Our entertainment is renowned. It is recognized in descriptive titles: "Casablanca," "West Side Story," "I Love Lucy," "60 Minutes."
8. Our sports are unique. And soccer, well, it's yet to truly arrive over here.
9. Our education seems best at the top. 17 of the 20 finest universities in the world are American. (Source: Institute of Higher Education, 2005)
10. And our people are generous. Where else could one find folks like Warren Buffet and Bill Gates contributing billions in pursuit of global health?

Oh, it is easy to see warts on the American cultural landscape: a fixation with all things material, our impatience with others, illegal immigration, divorce, drugs, and all the rest. Most often, however, these are but a virus incubated and living within a free and sometimes too-open society. We are in some weird way fortunate to be dealing with them, recognizing that our freedom and resulting American culture - warts and all - are cherished but fragile things.

First published in the Manhattan Free Press, July 5, 2006.