The class structure in America can be attributed to the concept of Americanization, which stems from the theory of Anglo-Conformity. The practice is responsible for the ability by which people enter the elitist class in many areas of America mainstream society. From prestigious occupations and positions of authority, to media exposure, the success and accomplishments of a person is actually determined by how Americanized they have become.

The main determinant of authentically becoming Americanized is to what extent one has shed their native culture in exchange for the American culture. Notice how news anchors, regardless of what racial make-up they are, is completely "Americanized" in their personality, speech, and worldview.

In addition, any public figure or person of authority such as Senators and congress people, even spotlighted actors and actresses, have been mentored on presenting themselves as American as possible. They are careful to promote patriotism and love for the country and are discouraged to promote anything of the contrary.

According to the Anglo-Conformity theory, "The demand for Anglo-Conformity rests on the belief that the persistence of ethnic cultures, ethnic and racial communities, and foreign languages in an English-speaking should be aggressively discouraged…the idea that immigrants and their children must become '100 percent American' by losing all traces of their 'foreign' accents."

This demand is reflected in the attempt to make English the official language of the United States. There are recorded situations where discrimination against certain ethnic groups is rationalized by the statement that they are not yet fully American. This mind-set is what drives cultural gatekeepers to keep America, Americanized.

Working together with the educational system - including institutions of higher learning, fortune 500 companies and the media, the mainstream elitist society of America screen potential candidates for cultural leadership according to how well they have shed their native culture and adapt to American culture and American worldview.

The division of Black America itself struggles with the concept of Americanization. A more familiar phrase is "acting white," which places certain Blacks in an either/or category and at the discretion of cultural demands on their mentality. Some shed their natural persona and succumb to the demands, and yet many refuse, choosing to be who they were born to be, even though they may never fulfill the American dream.

Source from: Sociology in a Changing World, Kornblum 2000

© 2004 by Afro Staff