Reflection:

These series of presentations have deepened my understanding on the origins of the

U.S. and how much each nationality has contributed to the society. For example, the

Japanese have largely contributed to the Buddhist temples and sustainable agricultural

farming methods indoors; the Jews have produced extraordinary nobel prize winners (such

as Steven Spielburg) ; and the Mexicans have produced one of the highest selling snacks -

tortilla chips and salsa - in the U.S.

I also noticed the rising trend of most minority groups in the U.S., especially

incoming Mexicans and Germans. There are currently 58 millions of Germans which

contributes to 17% of the total population and 37 million of Mexicans in the U.S.

Last but not least, I am beginning to wonder if America is truly a melting pot with

different nationalities working together in harmony. After all, most minority groups came to

America for economic opportunities and to escape Religious prosecution only to be

intimidated by the Ku Klux Klan (for Africans) and driven away by the Chinese Exclusion Act

(Chinese). Other minority groups such as Germans and Mexicans and Cubans also faced

language barriers and job discrimination. There was a time when German books and classes

were burnt and banned. Germans were also depicted as hairy, dangerous gorillas in war

posters during WWI and WWII.

All in all, I enjoyed the presentations very much and I also learned that America was

not as perfect as I had imagined it to be when I was very young.