But where's the diversity? Surely ''British'' is not just limited to one skin color or kinship group, is it? It's an ''inclusive'' civic identity these days, just as ''American'' is. So we are told.
Still, despite the efforts on the part of the people who rule over us to erase nationality and to blur away, both culturally and genetically, all distinct peoples, we can still recognize the truth of some of the stereotypes in the cartoon pictures above.
But is there still a recognizable American character? After all, America has been a ''proposition nation'' longer than Britain has. Is there still a national 'type' as once used to be assumed? If you read the article I linked (and there is a translation here) the American 'type' is somewhat recognizable. But is there a type that includes both Yankees and Southrons? There are still wide cultural gaps between the two regions. Or is there a type that crosses racial lines? I would say not.
What do you think? Is there still a distinct national character in America, encompassing all this 'diversity'? Or has it been successfully dismantled, and replaced by deracinated, mass-media-influenced 'everyman'?
I've noticed in all my recent travels, even within this country, that the differences between regions are eroding away, in great part because of the 'diversity' which is inflicted on us. The presence of so many strangers has had its effect. It's as though we've forgotten how to be ourselves.
Thoughts?
