I haven't done much research on this, but one of the common accusations leveled at Americans is that "Americans don't have any culture." Being an American I find myself called upon to argue, although usually I just smile and let the conversation go on to other subjects. But what does having culture mean, anyway?
Does it mean having art, great works of literature and a thriving theatre scene? If so, America has those things: distinctive art styles, authors such as Hemingway and Vonnegut, and the repertory theatre movement has maintained theatre as a thriving means of expression throughout the country.
Does it mean having specific traditions, events, dances and music? American holidays are rather uniquely celebrated, they're full of commercialism, yes, but the food and activities are traditional. We've been exporting new music and dance styles since at least the early twentieth century (swing, ragtime, jazz, blues and later rock and roll, rap, R&B) each with specific dances.
What about the other less artistic forms of culture? What about American movies, television and magazines? These aren't too far from artistic pursuits. What about lifestyle? You can't convince me McDonalds and suburbia isn't some form of culture, if not necessarily admirable. What about the internet and mobile phones?
Sometimes the response implies that there is no unique American culture. This has two aspects:
Does the world adopting certain aspects of American culture reduce it's cultural significance? I think so, or at least the apparent magnitude, but for the sake of argument, let's look at other questions too.
Does the diversity of cultures inside America counteract each other so that there is no one 'American' culture but instead African American culture, American South culture, New York City culture, etc?
So if none of these definitions fit, what is it that we don't have that so many people in the rest of the world considers the US to have no culture?
The conclusion I am coming upon is that what they really mean is that we have no history, but I hope to hear some other ruminations on this subject.
I wonder what Ken Burns would say.
ReplyDeleteTo what? I think clearly his movies show that we do, in fact, have some interesting history and cultural achievements. That was basicly what I was saying.. but the question remains: Why is America preceived as having no culture? Should we be concerned?
ReplyDeleteMy most amusing thought is that culture = known history * cuisine.
A couple of points to speak on here:
ReplyDelete1) American culture is omniscient.
2) Europeans might not spend extensive time studying American History.
To the first point, one of two things (if not both) is happening around the world: either American culture is good at hiding itself or American culture is good at becoming syncretized with other cultures.
Political culture:
Gave the world democracy, world's first open immigration, never conquered
Social culture:
We love guns/violence, cheap food, and nudity(but don't admit nudity)
Religious culture:
see nudity
Economic culture:
Believe in the free market, always
The second point I might make is that of limited study by Europeans. I am not familiar with the history courses in Europe, but they may take a completely different spin on the World Wars (ie- we had to twist America's arm just to get them involved). If they are not familiar with American History, then they might consider 230 years of history to be a drop in the bucket. Either way I fail to see how we have "zero" history.
Hmm.. I expect that I haven't made my issue clear and distracted you by my use of the phrase 'no history' and possibly 'no culture,' although that is the phrase I have heard. Clearly that is literally false since the country is not newly formed and people live there doing things.
ReplyDeleteFiguratively, it is quite true. The well documented events of the last few hundred years really don't hold much to the millenia of recorded history of Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa.
But basicly, I think the argument I'll use in the future is to point out some of the significant cultural contributions and argue that they're being ignored because they are now adopted in part by other cultures.
I think I managed to convey some of this to the Cyprian I was talking to when the subject came up again. I think it was the cuisines that were most convincing: that McDonalds isn't the sum of American cuisine.
ReplyDelete