The Myth of The Melting Pot?

the realities of the United States show that we are no longer moving toward the development of a multi-ethnic society in which the ingredients in the pot (the people of different cultures, races and religions) are combined. Instead, as the article stated, our nation will continue to ”fracture into separate, disconnected communities with no shared sense of commonality or purpose.” People want to come to this country to start a new life but they do not want to let go of their old life, their old ideals, their old culture. They simply want to find others who share the culture of their homeland and create mini-societies here where they never have to fully integrate into the life and culture of the “natives” around them. It is pretty sad that most children don’t view America as the best country anymore (although in this political day and age I can’t say that I blame them much)- children used to at least be taught to have pride in their country and look beyond the differences in individuals. Now, they are being taught one thing at school and the complete opposite at home and by the time they reach the critical age (somewhere around Junior High School) the divisive lines have already been drawn and the cliques begin to form.
Immigrants seem to be opposed to this assimilation of culture because they feel that it somehow devalues their ethnic origin but in my cold, callous way I must ask, if your culture is so great and you are so proud of it why didn’t you just stay there?? I don’t go to Egypt and insist that everyone speak English or complain because there are not enough American restaurants, clubs, organizations etc. I go in a totally open and accepting way of their culture and am even willing to modify my “American ways” in order to show respect to their culture by not dressing skimpily or behaving in ways that are contradictory to their cultural norms.