Cultural norms play a role in how individuals see the world. However, some individuals experience social dilemmas between their heritage and being American. As citizens of the United States, individuals should transcend ethnicity and see everyone as Americans. America was founded by immigrants from all over the world, who transformed the nation into a collage of many different cultures. With these different cultures come laws and religions that govern their behavior. In, Gary Colombo's Mind Reading an Anthology for Writers presents a series of notable essays on cultural mores. In “Hidden Culture” by Edward T. Hall, he describes culture and how an individual's culture affects his or her ability to understand another person's cultural mores. In “Mr. Cassadore” by Mick Fedullo, explains his life experience while teaching Apache students on the reservation. Fedullo overcomes cultural obstacles. Fedullo helps his students understand that it is acceptable to be Apache. Fedullo teaches his students that you should never transform who you are. “The Self and Society: Changes, Problems, and Opportunities by Roy F. Baumeister make use of labels to explain individuality. Baumeister discusses the history of individuality to rationalize it. For example, how changes in society and culture affect individuality. Two other articles that provide some insight into American culture are “A Quilt of a Country” by Anna Quindlen and “Communication In A Global Village” by Dean Barnlund. Culture is something people are born into. How people see culture is how they are raised around it. Throughout history, our country has experienced social revolutions. When there are social revolutions, which lead to structural outcomes… middle of paper… people would be more discerning about other cultures. An individual upbringing and cultural teachings make a person and how they react to others. Unfortunately some people cannot overcome their ethnicity and sometimes tensions can be detected between their heritage and being American. As citizens of the United States, all men and women should look beyond ethnicity and see every person as an American. This is something that needs to be taught from childhood. It's a shame that it's 2010 and that prejudice is very much alive in the United States. Perhaps one day American citizens will be able to overcome cultural and ethnic differences and see each other as equals. Then America will be a nation to be revered as a country capable of overcoming anything. All it takes is a little faith, kindness, and understanding that everyone matters.