Why is America still united?

Question

I'm writing an essay on the book, "The Disuniting of America" and I'm trying to figure out what exactly keeps Americans united. I've ruled out history simply for the fact that African-Americans (among other minorities) have been written out of history for the majority of our country's lifetime. I would just like some opinions of what you think unites us. Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

The creation of threatening 'others' is always a useful political technique for maintaining unity in societies, especially those based on massive social inequalities and  differences.  

So  have a look at

a)which global outgroups have been created in the past and which are being perpetuated today.

b) what internal 'others' are being positioned as threatening to some 'essential' aspect of Americanness.

Then ask what images of the USA are being created and emphasised through these socially constructed differences between 'them and us'

and think through the  legitimacy  of these constructed images and their contradictions (your reference to of the exclusion of Afro-Americans  is one good example)  

ps you can't exclude 'history'  completely as we are always in a state of change so 'today' is also historical.

Answer 2

The high standard of living is the reason for unification. Many of us don't consider ourselves "Americans", but the government is doing a great job keeping order. Keeping the majority of citizens happy is the key to peace.

Over 20% of Americans are not white. We haven't forgotten under what intentions African Americans were forcefully brought to this country. We haven't forgotten how Mexico was invaded and their land stolen. We won't forget any injustice.

Answer 3

First read your history. The Civil War was fought because of sectionalism. While there are other reasons, it explains how Bobby Lee could chose his small state over his nation. After the conflict the federal government and the lesson learned made sure the United States was just that.

We're a nation of immigrants. No matter how we came here it was with the promise that things would be better. (With slavery ended the promise was the same.) The "American Dream" is that each person has the chance to do better based on their abilities. We don't have royalty. In other nations simply how you speak identifies your class and social standing.

Given, there are inequalities. However we're not hacking arms off because someone is the wrong tribe. We're not raping people because they are the wrong religion. Neither are we bombing people because they'rethe wrong sect of our rreligion.