The Melting Pot

Assimilation is the process whereby individuals or groups of differing ethnic heritage are absorbed into the dominant culture of a society. Usually they are immigrants or hitherto isolated minorities who, through contact and participation in the larger culture, gradually give up most of their former culture traits and take on the new traits to such a degree that they become socially indistinguishable from other members of the society.

Assimilation does not denote racial or other biological fusion, though such fusion may be related.

Complete assimilation rarely occurs, as evidenced, for example, by the great diversity of local and regional cultures in Europe, despite centuries of conquest and recurrent attempts to force assimilation. There have, nonetheless, been some notable instances of assimilation, particularly in the United States, the so-called 'melting pot5 of ethnic groups. Millions of European immigrants to the United States, through relocation, the

influences of the public school systems, and other forces in American life, became almost completely assimilated within two or three generations.

The image of America as a crucible wherein the European nationalities would be transformed into a new race owes its origin to the title and theme of Israel Zangwill's play

"The Melting Pot" (1908), which glorified this concept.

To see the new face of the United States, go to a grocery store in the US (or else- where) and look at a box of Betty Crocker-brand food products (General Mills, Inc.).

Berry's portrait is now in its eighth 'version' since the first composite painting was shown - 1 936 with pale skin and blue eyes. Her new look is brown-eyed and dark-haired. She has a duskier complexion than her seven predecessors, with features representing an amalgam of white, Hispanic, Indian, African and Asian ancestry. The image of Betty Crocker has changed over the years to reflect changing styles. The 1996 "Betty" was created from seventy-five computer-fed photos of real women.

It surprises many consumers to learn that Betty Crocker isn't a real person — and never has been. Betty Crocker began as a pen name in 1921 to answer cooking-related questions that were sent to the Washburn Crosby Company. From those humble

beginnings, this advertising icon has grown to become one of the most recognizable brands in the grocery store.

More recently, some people have compared the United States with a salad bowl (or mosaic). They believe that America needs to preserve and encourage its diversity (and in

a salad you can tell the difference between various ingredients), while making sure that everyone has equal opportunity to succeed.