re: #514 wheat-dogghazi-mailgate

Some people see “culture” as a zero-sum game. Immigrants moving into “the neighborhood” in numbers larger than, oh, say, 20 or so to some people means the newcomers will push aside the existing culture in place of the new one. The fear is even more acute of the newcomers dress differently, speak a different language or worship a different way.

In fact, what happens over the long haul is the “culture” slowly adapts to include both the old and the new. What white people call their culture now has been influenced by African-American, Hispanic and Asian cultures in so many subtle ways that the fearful white folk don’t even see it. We can take language, music and food as prime examples. The arrival of Arabs and Muslims from the Middle East has brought new influences that have not yet worked their way into the prevailing culture nationally, but they have in the nation’s urban areas. (Take Iron-Man/Tony Stark’s advice to his fellow Avengers about a great schwarma place as a small example.)

“White culture” is a myth perpetuated by idiots who think ethnic cultures exist as entirely separate, insulated bubbles.

At first “white” culture was white Protestant culture but you’re right. So much of our culture has been shaped by other groups. Honestly, I love our cultural diversity. It’s one of our greatest strengths.