which the recipient of the text understands that the system that produced the text is one with which shehe is fundamentally at odds.
18
From this definition, the writer concludes a dominant is disposed to totally
accept one of hisher identity. If heshe prefers to be an American, heshe would run
all of activities based on American culture, ethnic, and society. While a negotiated
would not accept whole of two cultures, such Indian or American cultural identities,
but negotiate both. Last, an oppositional is disposed not to respond and reject one of
cultural identity heshe has run in which heshe is not comfortable to present the identity.
C. American Identity
For hundreds of years, people have been immigrating to the United States in search of freedom, better living and the fulfillment of the American dream. Being an
American means to uphold values of independence, responsibility and freedom. Patriotism and unity are main agents for a nations identity. These values have been
forged by forefather and still remain vibrant in the American culture from east through west. The existing American identity has been influenced by many factors,
such as the frontier, the melting pot and the political thoughts on this nation. American Identity is also resulted from the culture which consists of beliefs
and values learned through the socialization process. The American Identity can be
18
Ibid. p. 64
identified from their characters, educational aspects, foods, fashions, languages, and traditional American values.
Almost Americans have characters as a material oriented, fashionable, glamour, and free. They are also as a hard worker to get a good income and economy.
Americans believe that they can really control their future. They are more specific to plan things. Americans always like to plan things ahead. They think they canshould
control and dominate nature and world around them. Americans
thinking about
change is
very positive.
They like mobility, migration, movement and change in their life style. They work hard to
maintain their
status quo.
Americans place
great emphasis
on time and its value. They believe time is money, and try to make every day
productive. They do not like to waste time. They always like to do their work on time. Americans like privacy and very independent. They believe the individual is
paramount. They do not like to work in groups. They tend to think about themselves and
place their
needs above
all else.
American teenagers,
for example, do not always consider consequences before they act. They just care
about having fun. From fashion identity, Americans’ fashions are known more informal because
they prefer to wear t-shirts and jeans than formal dress. Dress norms in USA are
generally consistent with those of other post industrial western nations and have become largely informal since the mid 20
th
century.
19
From religion aspects, most Americans’ belief in Christian up to 78, 5. Moreover, Almost 97 of Americans speak in English. Although the United States
has no official language at the federal level, 30 states have passed legislation making English the official language and it is widely considered to be the
de facto national language.
20
The rests, speak in native language and immigrant language, such Indian, Korean, Chinese, etc.
D. Indian Identity
