The Myth of the Melting Pot

ESSAY 4: THE MYTH OF THE MELTING POT
The U.S. is growing increasingly diverse and the force of the myth of the melting pot is its implied promise that all Americans are “created equal.” However the myth’s promises of unity and equality have been deceptive from the beginning . The fear of difference has always been here and it is the basis of the myth of racial supremacy. In reality, the melting pot ideal is that those who are perceived as different must melt into the Anglo-American concepts of conformity and that those who are thought to be inferior must never be accepted as equals. This myth of white supremacy has given rise to some of the worst and most shameful passages in our national life: slavery, segregation, lynching, near extermination of tribal peoples and cultures: the denial of citizenship and constitutional rights to people of color, the brutal exploitation of Mexican and Asian laborers. This catalog of injustices continues today and is even more widespread thanks to social media platforms and the explosive growth of hate groups.
DIRECTIONS: Using at least 2 documentaries (“Shadow of Hate” as one), 2 outside the text readings (online articles) as research and 2 readings from the “Myth of the Melting Pot” unit (“Causes of Prejudice” as one), discuss the root causes of bigotry, discrimination, bias, and racial indifference. Make sure that you answer the question: To what extent do these videos and readings illustrate the causes of prejudice, as well as the possible cures.
These are possible topics to use as the required outside research and to tie into “Causes of Prejudice” and the 2 documentaries:
Choose a hate/white nationalist group and research their purpose, actions and goals. (See SPLC.org for a list. Or the Sacramento Bee 11-7-21 on whites only worship)
Women in extremist groups (see KKK: Rachel Pendergraff, W.A.R: Christine Metzger or Sacramento Bee 5-02-21 “Moms in Militias”
The rise of racism during the Trump presidency. (See Frontline on PBS: Hate in America)
Black Lives Matter: purpose, actions, goals
Voter suppression
Race issues in politics
Anti-immigration issues today: Muslim countries ban, border activities and ICE, detention centers and family separation.
Islamaphobia
Anti-Semitism today
Racial tensions in certain geographic regions in the U.S.
Racial issues in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina (se Frontline on PBS: Law and Disorder)
Jim Crow in the 21st century
The role of the media: does it reinforce stereotypes or further acceptance of all people.
The role of social media in racism (Time magazine has done several articles on Facebook and its role in racism.)
Hate on the Net: spreading their messages, recruitment, chat rooms, blogs, the dark Net, etc.
The myth of the Model Minority
The Alt-Right: The White Nationalist’s Alternative to American Conservatism
NOTE: SPLC.org has a lot of information on many of these topics

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