Ambiguous Loss

In a world where immigration and migration are prominent, cultural diversity becomes essential. The United States is known as a cultural “melting pot.” Thus, in looking at the cultural diversity each ethnic group brings, there also is an element of cultural ambiguity for the displaced ethnic group. Cultural ambiguity is defined as an unclear culture, or of mixed uncertain cultures. As of 2010, the US Census had 310,233,000 total people living in the US, made up of American Indians, Alaskan Natives, Asians, Blacks, Hispanics, Native Hawaiians, other Pacific Islanders, and Whites. And amongst each of these limited groups are numerous subgroups of individuals that struggle to maintain their ethnic heritage.

Ethnic groups struggle with loss of their native languages, traditions, and traditional roles. For example, Scourby discussed the plight of first, second, and third generation Greeks. Questionnaires were sent out with questions measuring the rate of assimilation. One of the questions...