The first country/culture we're studying this year is our own - that of North America, specifically the USA. Today, while reading one of our school books, I read a phrase that said, "The United States is often referred to as a 'melting pot', because so many cultures make their homes here. However, it would be more accurately called a 'tossed salad', because cultures in the U.S. are encouraged to maintain their individuality and not just blend in with our culture." They looked at me with a blank stare. I looked at them with the same blank stare as I was trying to process the author intent. Then I was wondering, "Who in the world expects a child to understand this metaphor? I barely understand it." "Melting pot" - I pretty much understand that, but more on a cliche level than actual understanding, but "tossed salad"? I think my stomach is starting to growl.
Anyway, I asked the girls, "So, did you understand that last part?" This was met with a corporate "No," from them. I said, "Well, it's kind of like this for example: Pinatas..." (insert anticipatory smiles from girls - as though I might have one hidden behind my back) "Pinatas are a game for celebrating birthdays in Mexico, but when Mexicans came to America, we didn't say to them, 'No. We don't do pinatas in America. Here's a baseball glove and some cake and ice cream. Happy Birthday.' We said, 'Hey, that looks like fun. Let me take a whack at that thing.' So I guess that makes us a tossed salad." Claire said, "Makes me want to hit one right now." "Well," I said, "part of being a tossed salad means that we could walk into Walmart right now and buy a pinata off the shelf." I probably lost them somewhere in the vegetable metaphor there, but we all agreed on one thing: life with pinatas is far superior to life without pinatas. This led to some great conversations about how Mexicans also have fun hats and take naps in the afternoon. The nap thing actually got me pretty much totally sold on moving further south. I don't play much baseball anyway. Naps are more my speed.
Another story that we enjoyed was about how the Navajo nation have a custom in which the first time a baby laughs out loud they have a huge celebration. Here's the kicker: The person who made the baby laugh is the one who has to pay for the party. As much as I adore laughter, I think this custom reveals the Navajo to be a people group who deeply value our God-given sense of humor in a very tangible way.
So - I guess I think that, despite all the cultural differences we have in the United States, we have no excuse not to feel richer and more deeply blessed than any nation on earth because of the wealth of opportunity to experience a wide range of cultures. Despite the fact that we don't all look the same or have the same customs or belief systems, we have the opportunity to enjoy the best of what so many cultures have to offer. It seems to me that other cultures bring their best with them when they come to the U.S.A. - food, games, traditions, and art - just to name a few. I guess I'm glad to be part of this "tossed salad" - even if just a nut.
