The cultural diversity of the country in which we live has been compared to a “melting pot” and to a “salad bowl.” It seems that none of these theories can fully explain the complexity of the diverse society found in the United States.

The “melting pot” theory explains how the cultures found in this country mix, thus producing a new culture that is based on and influenced by each one of those original cultures. Unlike the “melting pot” theory, the “salad bowl” proposes that every culture maintains its original properties while adding its flavor to the whole.

In the United States, the European “melting pot” and the African “melting pot” can be seen. Most Caucasians could say that their ethnic heritage can be traced to their white European roots, but most will not identify with one of their heritages specifically.

The ancestors of most African-Americans were forced by slaveowners to forget about most of their original roots — like language or places of origin, making its culture a mix of different African traditions.

However, both groups consider themselves members of this nation, each one is a mix of its original heritage, and a division still exists between the two. Could we call this division a “salad bowl”? What if we add all the ethnic groups that exist in this country, could we have a “salad bowl” then?

It is almost impossible to picture any place as a “salad bowl” since culture is an ever-changing phenomenon. Even immigrant groups that have tried to preserve their cultures are subject to change.

Some will blame those groups of self-segregation for not trying to assimilate to the “American-way-of-life;” but these groups’ cultures have evolved, and the so-called self-segregation they practice is a way of staying away from rejection.

These immigrant groups in search of a better way of life — just like the first groups of European settlers who came to this continent — try to be accepted and obtain jobs. Most experience rejection, and unlike the first groups of European settlers, they will not force the original inhabitants out of their lands and create their own nation.

Due to discriminatory experiences, some react by socializing only with those who share their culture. Others encourage their children to become part of the U.S. society and forget their native language, feeling that it is better to be accepted by the society than to embrace their heritage.

All these examples are unfortunate situations that many second- and third-generation immigrants have experienced in this country. Most are a result of someone making fun of their accent, their physical appearance, not giving them a job, or denying them a loan.

The United States prides itself in being an example for other nations, and as representatives of this country we should set an example with our acceptance of other cultures. We cannot live in a bubble, thinking that all we see here is what there is. We need to be global citizens and learn of other cultures, learn a different language, and different ways of life.

But beware, for it is easy for us to create stereotypes. We apply meanings to everything we see and experience, and at times we will find ourselves saying that a specific group of people acts in a specific way because of one personal experience. Stereotypes are the gateway to racism; if we are to live in the free and just country we preach about, we must learn acceptance.

Let our entire nation be “an oasis of freedom and justice” like Martin Luther King Jr. said. We have the right to “live in a nation where [we] will not be judged by the color of [our] skin but by the content of [our] character.”