America's Melting Pot

Culture is an aspect that can both define and isolate us. It has the ability to not only make us unique and different, but also simultaneously serve as a barrier between one culture to another; however, this isn't as much of a problem as most may say. I think this barrier is a test on character. If we, as human beings, are capable of climbing past this barrier and learn something new, then that, in itself, is proof of our versatility and capability of acceptance.
On a personal level, I am a mix of cultures. Coming from a family born and raised in the Soviet Union that moved to Italy, Austria, and finally here, I have Russian blood in me, intermixed with the American ways of life. If my parents were able to pick up their belongings and a suitcase and travel to a foreign land (as glorious and exaggerated as it sounds), both assimilating into this new culture and keeping some of their own traditions, then why can't we do the same and accept it?
When looking at all the death and war plaguing the world around us, it is clear this isn't because the Arab world has gone mad or because America is greedy, or anything of the like; in fact, it is because we are still having trouble accepting and diversifying. We travel some place and expect everyone to speak the same language and have the same ideals, and are surprised when this isn't the case. The extremists are appalled to learn we don't share the same religious beliefs as we do, and respond in a way that threatens the safety of every nation.
In an ideal society, culture will bring us together, but for the time being, it still separates us.

Survival of the Fittest

The difference between macro and micro sociology is a thin line, yet the two names allow for a glimpse as to what that difference is. Macro, large, focuses on the larger picture. Why does society do what it does? Why does the difference of gender or race allow for such strong discrimation? Why is age, or, coming of age, so important to us? While micro, small, focuses on the individual. Why do the actions of our parents influence us so strongly to either sway away from their habits or become so closely tied to them? Why did a certain experience impact your life so drastically? Why do our habits change the older we become?
Yet, the combination between macro and micro allow for a stronger perspective upon life and how/why we function the way we do. During class, when we played the activity of who gets kicked off the boat, the results may not have been what was expected. We kicked the strong sailman off because he was racist, yet he was of good use to the team. All of the decisions we make aren't goverened by logic, nor are they all governed by emotion. They are made by a combination of both plus myriad outside factors. Micro and macro sociology, combined, are able to decipher this.