Separation Or Assimilation? :: essays research papers

Separation or Assimilation?     Our country, The United States of America, was essentially founded onthe principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness through solidarityof gentle kind. In Bernard R. Boxills article, "Separation or Assimilation," hefundamentally poses the Hamletesque question to assimilate or not to assimilate.Subsequent to the dilemma of some black cultural nationalists, whom not onlyargue for assimilation of the black American populace, but also believe thatthis assimilation into white culture is inevitable, against cultural pluralism.Cultural pluralism, which was initialized by W. E.B. Dubois in the late 19thcentury, is founded upon the peculiarities of races, living harmoniously in onenation-state, and lacking superiority or inferiority. Consequently to posingthis question one dictates that there live certain boundaries between culturesin our American society. Where do these boundaries come from and are theyindeed necessa ry? Is integration of these cultures indeed inevitable?     The goal of cultural pluralism as stated by Boxill are to establishpride in ones own race, to maintain the authenticity of ones own culture, andfinally to benefit the world populace. Through pride, the decline ofinferiorities along with self respect, one adopts an attitude of self-segregation. Boxill argues for pride as a means of preserving ones race,overemphasizing differences between individuals because of the color of theirskin or cultural differences, is a corking defense to assimilation.     Understanding Duboiss concept of cultural authenticity is to delve intothe mysteries of self-actualization, that is to realize ones own potential. Heasks himself, as an African American, whether his true identity lies in thejungles of Africa or in this land of America. He is of the opinion that theseare his only two options. He concludes that his true identity goes beyond hisAmerican birth , citizenship, political ideals, language, laws, and religion duncish into the heart of Africa where a timeless culture was born and should bepreserved for its beauty and used to benefit the world populace. "...the Negropeople, as a race, corroborate a contribution to make..."(Dubois,p244) The "Negropeople" as a race, commit certainly had a peculiar world condition throughout timeand have had the ability to lend privileged insights into the human condition.     The whole of humanity consists of many parts. From the culturalpluralist perspective, this whole can be benefitted most by the contribution ofgifts from each race of humanity. But does not true diversity exist inindividual persons rather than in large groups of unique individuals. It wouldseem obvious that the sterling(prenominal) degree of solidarity of humanity can be achieved