Examples Of Conformity In America
Life in America is not a struggle between being an individual and being a member of the community. The United States were founded on the principles of freedom; anyone can be or do anything if they so please. In fact, nonconformity is becoming more popular than conformity with the advent of social media and new, various ways to connect with others. As a millennial, I grew up in a world where I was not shepherded into a community. Day in and day out, there was no social repercussion for not “being cool” or wearing the “right” clothes. Sherman Alexie’s quote suggests that being part of a community requires conformity, and that individuality is somehow lost. I reject this notion because I believe myself to be a free individual within my community.
At my Catholic, private high school, everyone is incredibly different but we are all still parts of our community. Yes, we share a common faith, a common school, and a common knowledge of Kansas City. But, we are immigrants, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, LGBTQ; we are liberal and conservative, and every viewpoint in between. Within my high school we have cliques of athletes, nerds, and cheerleaders— devoted members of their communities. But in my school, these cliques do not require conformity. Instead, the athletes brag about taking college level Calculus, cheerleaders geek out over Star Wars, and the nerds shamelessly love everything about basketball. I myself have experienced a metamorphosis, both as an individual and member of different communities. I am an athlete and drama geek; I am shy and socially a butterfly.
The culture at my high school and in America today promotes nonconformity. The United States is the place where everyone, including myself, is part of a greater narrative uncontrolled and unpressured by a society or community. As Jimmy Carter said, “We become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams.” In my life I do not see the struggle between individuality and community, because it simply does not exist. It’s merely a social construct imagined by people who cannot see what I see— a beautiful mosaic stretching from sea to shining sea.
At my Catholic, private high school, everyone is incredibly different but we are all still parts of our community. Yes, we share a common faith, a common school, and a common knowledge of Kansas City. But, we are immigrants, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, LGBTQ; we are liberal and conservative, and every viewpoint in between. Within my high school we have cliques of athletes, nerds, and cheerleaders— devoted members of their communities. But in my school, these cliques do not require conformity. Instead, the athletes brag about taking college level Calculus, cheerleaders geek out over Star Wars, and the nerds shamelessly love everything about basketball. I myself have experienced a metamorphosis, both as an individual and member of different communities. I am an athlete and drama geek; I am shy and socially a butterfly.
The culture at my high school and in America today promotes nonconformity. The United States is the place where everyone, including myself, is part of a greater narrative uncontrolled and unpressured by a society or community. As Jimmy Carter said, “We become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams.” In my life I do not see the struggle between individuality and community, because it simply does not exist. It’s merely a social construct imagined by people who cannot see what I see— a beautiful mosaic stretching from sea to shining sea.