The American Exception

In the midst of the most ferocious street fights and political battles of our lifetimes, we might want to reflect on what went wrong in communities that tore our society apart.

Reviewing news from around the world, we are seeing more and more national, racial, and ethnic separatism. Both ruling and minority groups are aware that no one appreciates being told what to do.

As the term "American Exceptionalism", suggesting a higher moral quality to our nation, has become a joke in many parts of the world, including here at home, I suggest we rephrase the term to the more neutral "American Exception".

The United States, as a whole, in the near future, will likely be the last remaining country where people of all national and ethnic backgrounds are welcome.

Recent news reports indicate that every other country in the world is moving more and more to ethnic separatism.

So, the question once again for Americans, with these unchangeable national qualities, remains, how can we minimize open violence in out communities?

I am well aware that America, like a microcosm of the world, consists of varied, ethically-distinct neighborhoods. Minority groups have long been fed the illusion that the "American Dream" for Immigrants was to follow the lifestyle and objectives of the "white" majority.

In the process, members of the minority community have gotten away from the qualities that made them welcome as immigrants here in the United States.

For example, skills, talents, and cultural advantages of different peoples.

Also, lifestyle differences from which American society as a whole may learn.

Without getting to know people of different cultures, there would no purpose to live in America. In fact, if I was the decsionmaker, I would ask that question on Immigration application forms.

When these interludes take place between people of different cultures, they need to occur in a way to minimize conflict between the two cultures involved, and to maximize the benefit to each side in the cultural exchange.

Sometimes the differences are not ethnic. They could be class differences. Any quality could form the basis of uniting in a community for residential purposes.

Those who want to learn about a particular grouping of people, might be able to locate on a map where in America you can find these types of people and visit them.

Some might consider this another utopian design article, but I intend it as a reflection on the realities of our world, and likely developments in the near future.

Others may feel threatened by this kind of world. I might mention to them that have also had to adjust to these realities over the past few years, and to realize why each element of this overall society design is good for me personally.

In my own lifestyle, social scientists have tried on multiple occasions to frame American society in a positive way, for the purpose of indocrinating our schoolchildren. We've already been from the "meting pot" to the "Salad Bowl" model.

Yet the most positive and realistic way to describe American Social Life, is "Multi-Ethnic"; not just for "Democrats" or "Liberals", but for all Americans. The real illusion is that different groups of Americans don't interact socially with each other.

I would suggest, to the contrary, that full inclusion and high standing in American Social life requires constantly improving relations with each other. Sometimes we fight, sometimes we get along. Burning bridges to any person, or group of people, is generally a last resort in American life as I know it.

Break-ups in our social lives are always bittersweet; fond memories of good times together, inevitably tainted with the disappointments of out incompatibilites and our differences.

I find it most useful to take a deep breath a reflect on my circumstances, and the circumstances of our world, rather than to listen to others looking for a "weakness" to attack. That might also be a starting point for better communications between us.