Unique features and values of American culture [Part 1]

Americans excel in traditional cultural fields, they contribute to other civilizations, making them more alive.

Nét độc đáo và giá trị văn hóa Mỹ [Kỳ 1]

Smithsonian Museum chain in Washington DC (Source: baoquangnam.vn)

Since ancient times, wealthy Americans have bought many works of art, so the country's museums are very rich. In the 20th century, America also attracted many European composers. In the second half of the century, many excellent American artists appeared, such as singer Barbara Hendricks (born 1948) or Grace Bumbry (1937-2023), who were eagerly invited by opera houses around the world.

Architects like Leoh Ming Pei (1917 – 2019), who built the Louvre Pyramid in Paris or the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum; novelists like John Winslow Irving (born 1942) or William Styron (1925 – 2006); screenwriter, director, actor Woody Allen (born 1935)… they are all famous in both Europe and America.

Americans excel in traditional cultures, they contribute to other civilizations, making them more alive. Traditional culture is of course for the “elite”, not in line with the aspirations of the majority of the people. Already at the end of the 19th century, a truly mass culture has developed in America, aimed at satisfying the tastes of the emerging middle class and integrating immigrants.

Popular theater, the first and most prominent examples of which were Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show (1846-1917) in the late 1880s, Barnum's giant circus aimed at the masses, and musical comedy that was acclaimed on stage before it was shown on screen, were truly American genres, nothing surprising.

Cinema is also an achievement of American popular culture. American filmmakers and film companies understand this, because they know that the public is very diverse. They pay attention to the quality of the story, sometimes to an extreme. Among the countless film titles, let me just mention: A Nation is Born (1915) by David Wark Griffith (1875-1948), Gone with the Wind (1940) by Victor Lonzo Fleming (1889-1949) or Now Comes the End of the World (1979) by Francis Ford Coppola (born 1939).

For a long time, the strength of American culture was due to its direct contact with contemporary society, as shown by John Steinbeck (1902-1968), Ernest Miller Hemingway (1899-1961), and William Faulkner (1897-1962).

Jazz is even more representative, this is a very unique music, with many ties to folk pop music. This music comes from black people, suitable for their emotions, without any cultural filtering. The success of jazz is so great because it seems to suit the emotions of almost the whole world.

America's unique and diverse culture is indeed a mass culture. This explains why directors and actors adapt so easily to television. Reaching the masses has always been a concern of the American people. Therefore, Americans have come up with television shows that meet fairly general needs and are popular even beyond the borders of the United States. From Buffalo Bill to Dallas, not to mention Walt Disney or the marching of the girls in uniform.

Value is “a philosophical and sociological concept that refers to the meaning of material and spiritual phenomena that are capable of satisfying human needs and serving human interests.” In simpler terms, “value” is an idea of what is right and wrong, desirable or undesirable, normal or abnormal, appropriate or inappropriate.

From birth to adulthood, people are taught and imbued with cultural values through their parents, relatives, teachers, books, newspapers, television, etc. Growing up in a culture, people absorb some values of that culture; that does not mean that everyone absorbs all the cultural values of the community equally.

A culture can be thought of as a system of values. It is very relative to propose a list of values of a culture. People often say that American culture began in 1607, with the steady immigration of the English. It is very possible that later ethnic factors became stronger, and American cultural values would not be as they are today.

Based on the research works of Gary Althen, Esther Wanning, JP Fichou, AR Lanier... here are some of the following American cultural values:

Equality: The greatest belief of Americans since the founding of the country is that everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed. This concept may even be more important than “freedom”, or at least complements it. Because the country is vast and has no shortage of wealth, everyone is free to compete equally. In 1782, the French writer Crèvecoeur commented that the process of going from “servant” to “master” is the process of becoming an American. In reality, many people are still disadvantaged, and there is still daily racial contempt, but the myth of “equality” still exists in the subconscious of the community, at least among the white population in general.

Liberated societies are equal in “opportunity” but not equal in income; there is inequality because those with ability get ahead. In part, the political system also makes this belief exist, often quite naively.

Americans feel uncomfortable when foreigners treat them with such respect, as if they were gods. Women should be respected as much as men, but the way they show it is very subtle, not obvious.

Future Oriented: Asians tend to look to the past, history, and tradition as a benchmark. Arab, Latin, and Asian cultures tend to believe in fate and foster a sense of resignation. American immigrants who leave their country have no hope of returning and are therefore fixated on the present and the future.

Americans only think about a brighter future, so they are optimistic. Even today, this state of mind exists despite the many difficulties America faces (nuclear weapons, environmental pollution, unemployment, the role of an economic superpower is shaken). Americans believe that they can change the situation, so they are always in a hurry. Praising someone for their perseverance is the highest compliment.

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