What is Being 'American'?

As we discussed American Identity in class this week, we have focused on identity in the past. And rightly so, since race relations are a center-point of American history. But what caught my eye, and kept me interested, was about the future of American identity. The article was on CNN, and unfortunately failed to go farther than simple facts and light speculation. The article, titled 'Hispanic population boom fuels rising U.S. diversity', explains that a booming minority population, mainly hispanic, is saving the U.S. economy by providing high demand for consumer goods. This is all fine and dandy, (if you want specific numbers, read the article) but what really got me thinking was the question, "If in the future, there is no single majority, what will become of the typical idea of the 'American Identity'?" We have talked about people striving to assimilate and 'become' American to fit in, but if there is no majority population to be like, will people still attempt to rid themselves of 'foreigness' to fit in? Perhaps people may not feel like they need to fit in because they already fit with their own minority, and there will be a different American dream for Asians, Hispanics, African-Americans, Caucasians, etc. Or maybe each group will mesh, to create a sort of new American idea that immigrants and minorities will strive to become. Whichever it is, only time will tell what booming minority populations will do to American culture.