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https://www.instagram.com/p/Bjhtjcpl6cG/?tagged=americanculture

Donuts and Coffee. Honestly how much more American can you getJ I recall a lot of my Romanian friends marveling at how Americans can eat such sweet things. Not only that but it just reflects the colorful, artificial themes in a lot of American types of foods.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bjevlm5gJV1/?tagged=americanculture

This next photo is reflective of American culture because it reminded me of that old American Dream of having a “white picket fence and white house.” The young girl with her tshirt holding her hands up to show off the beauty of her surroundings just screams “this is what’s beautiful”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BjVh9wbnSNL/?tagged=americanculture

In honor of memorial day, the flags and the commemoration are reflective of our culture and our patriotism. It’s a beautiful image of how our culture is tied to holidays and value for our nation.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bjc9W8XAs3v/?tagged=americanculture

This image of a girl and the mountains is reflective of the American culture of our youth today: a popularity surrounding travel, nature, wanderlust, and youthful adventure. I think that’s a new facet to American culture that’s become more prevalent through social media over the years and a lot of these opportunities for travel and adventure are pure privileges.

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This photo is showing a Nike factory store at an outlet mall. I believe that Nike and sports wear in general is becoming a cultural trend in the United States. Going to the gym, mediation, eating healthy foods and having a fit lifestyle is becoming more common, I think partly due that Americans were perceived to be very overweight and having an obesity epidemic. There are also many malls and outlet stores which could provide insight to the materialistic and frugality side of American culture.

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I believe this quote embodies the typical American value of work ethics and instills the American Dream as well. We tend to be future-oriented and always looking ahead to achieve the goals that we have given ourselves. Americans find value in those that show initiative and a persistence to perform well. I think this also shows that American do not usually take the time to look back on their prior mistakes to figure out what went wrong and how it could be done better the next time.

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This picture is showing a few older style automobiles in a classic American drive through with burgers and hotdogs. I think this is a typical American stereotype held by people outside the United States about the type of food we usually eat. While I do not usually eat this type of food, I do tend to see a lot of fast-food restaurants. I also believe that Americans value older automobiles, and those who actually own one will participate in car shows that are conducted throughout the United States.

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This picture is showing a girl with a pondering expression with the question "What does your last name say about you?" Famously known as a melting pot, American have a very diverse ethnic background. When meeting new people, a common question is always "where did your last name come from?" As more companies pop up like ancestry.com, I think it shows Americans value their background and where their ancestors originally came from.

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I wasn’t convinced that the instagram tag did justice to American culture, so I found my own images. I decided to depict American culture through specific gatherings of people, from all aspects of life:

Here, we have what looks to be a free speech rally. It came about from racial tension that exists within our land. Some people believe free speech includes the ability to use racially charged language, while others do not believe that. It’s a hard line to walk, because our constitutional rights are what have created the foundation of our country. And yet, allowing discrimination to occur on the basis of a right to speak is almost unconscionable. It’s a great photo for this aspect of culture, because it captures the raw emotional atmosphere of the situation. It’s not positive, but it illuminates how Americans react to conflict.

The next image was taken during  hurricane Harvey, a devastating hurricane in Texas. It ravaged the whole area, leaving destruction and death wherever it went. However, even in the face of terror, people managed to find community. These relief workers may or may not have been paid, many who helped in Harvey’s aftermath were not. The immediate reaction to give whatever can be given is incredibly American. We band together in times of severe distress to build ourselves up and survive tragic situations. It reminds us how similar we are, even when things are at their worst and it would be easiest just to point fingers in anger. Knowing how to love thy neighbor is a huge piece of American culture.

Teachers and schools in America are notoriously underfunded, but when the teachers finally decide to march, they are joined by many. They simply desire proper educational environments where students are able to learn without worry. They couldn't do their job in the current state of education, so they demanded better. Much like the other events, people stood their ground, eventually ending in pay raises as well as increased funding for the school itself, all from publicly rallying and using a unified voice to bring about change. Americans pride themselves on independence, but there is also something to be said about our ability to come together.

This one is rather different, because it showcases America’s deep love for pop culture. Instead of one specific event, the photo is showing multiple advertisements for current artistic shows. America is in love with media, in all forms. Especially media that helps them escape from their day to day life. The people on the streets in this photo are desensitized to the amount of entertainment available to them, but crave it just the same. As a country, we produce oodles and oodles of media, more than we can ever hope to consume. It results in a wide array of rich cultural experiences in which one can partake whenever they want. It’s amazing to think about.

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https://www.instagram.com/p/BjHyXJFHc2J/?tagged=americanculture
This first one is a series about the amount of psychiatric drugs people in America are currently prescribed. I don't know how our mental health issues stack up to other cultures, but I know if I'm sitting in a room with 10 of my friends, at least 7 are taking something. All of us have either PTSD, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and even members of my own family suffer from a variety of mental illnesses that are being quietly addressed.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BjFmi2bBwsN/?tagged=americanculture
I thought this one was interesting, and hopefully an accurate depiction  of a Native American. I feel like I don't have a wealth of knowledge on Native American culture, and that that's the fault of our biased education system. We put so much faith and trust in teachers, we don't (especially in our youth) question what's taught. I can't emphasize enough the importance of education in this country.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BjCy0IiHzyH/?tagged=americanculture
The Jackson Five! This is kind of a tragic, but still relevant issue with how American's equate success with fame. Micheal Jackson in particular had such a hard upbringing to earn fame at his father's requests. He was working in the hyper critical entertainment industry since age 5, and some believe that his loss of childhood freedom to build that fame caused a lot of his distress as an adult. Despite all of this, he was adored for many years as a pop idol, and I consider pop idols to be part of the center of the American market.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BiUm7ccAEMi/?tagged=americanculture

Lastly, I selected this collection of pins because they reflect the importance we have as individuals in American culture. Fashion has always been a means for us to express ourselves, and reflect who we are to others. Even in corporate business wear, people look for small accessories to distance themselves from the rest. In some countries, it's better to fit in, and I think there's still some pressure here for people to feel they're on trend, but mostly we work to stand out.

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https://www.instagram.com/p/BisKEyEH2IZ/?tagged=americanculture
This pictures of Toys R Us going out of business represents American Culture to me. Capitalism is foundation our country is run on and we are too often fooled into thinking that buying and owning lots of physical items somehow makes us successful. Americans place a high value on purchasing items like toys and many people were upset about the closure.The fact that is is finally going out of business after decades of successful business is kind of a wake up call in my opinion and shows that just because a business gets big and makes it, doesn't mean that it can continue on forever.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bil7vt5gKpn/?tagged=americanculture
This picture shows someone holding a large cup of french fries; a deep fried potato treat served in many countries but especially popular in America. The serving size looks giant but is likely intended to be consumed by one person. Americans tend to over consume, and we have staggering rates of obesity and heart disease partly because of this, but this picture glorifies the food. The uploader was not from America and still knew to post the picture with the hashtag #AmericanCulture. I think it is funny, but also sad that other countries think of the United States when they see fattening and unhealthy foods.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgqvDohF1h3/?tagged=americanculture
This picture of a busy highway in California reminds me of how Americans are always in a rush to get somewhere. People are often rude and impatient because they feel that the world revolves around them. It also reminds me of how much we waste as a culture and how unfriendly we are to the environment. While the technology for electric vehicles is readily available, many people disregard it and choose a vehicle that looks cooler for selfish reasons. I think of all the fuel that is needlessly burnt and polluting our atmosphere.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BiaWprMgepj/?tagged=americanculture
Here is another image that reminds me of how Americans needlessly over consume. It is a large bottle of soda that contains several servings but it is more than likely going to be consumed by one person in a single sitting. It's another example of how we disregard our health just to give into our gluttonous desires. I think many countries, especially in Europe, are more health-conscious and think about the long term impact of consuming such damaging foods/beverages. Even our fast food restaurants like McDonalds feature much larger portions and containers than the same restaurant in other countries.

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The Car

https://www.instagram.com/p/BjBV64dDBz5/?tagged=americanculture

I chose a picture of an old, beautiful car to represent American culture.  This represents American culture in many ways.  For starters, automobile manufacturing is a glorified aspect of the “good old days” that politicians and those in power often refer to.  It seems to represent this elusive wholesomeness, safety, and self-sufficiency. Coming from a different angle, I would say that American culture is also represented by the car because cars are inherently individualistic compared to other forms of transit, such as trains, planes, busses, or even walking where you are generally surrounded by many people.  Cars give people privacy and isolation while traveling the same roads as others, which is very parallel to many American ideals.

Fast Food

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bi4SLEpgXTQ/?tagged=americanculture

Fast food is an inherent aspect of American culture.  While there are many food cultures that exist in the United States and are extremely popular, fast food, such as McDonalds and diners, are a staple.  On the surface, people often think of flavors of their childhood, such as hamburgers and milkshakes.  Beneath the surface, I think of the busy-ness of American culture that supports, encourages, and glorifies an eating culture centered upon convenience and everyday luxury, in which people can pay others to make their food on demand, at a price that is more than comfortable for them.

Choosing a Team

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bin1NeoFgJk/?tagged=americanculture

Much of popular American culture to me feels like it’s about choosing a side and staying there.  Curiosity and questioning are absolutely values that many in the United States hold dear, however, I do not think popular media outlets at all represent this.  Most of the time different sides are brought in on a news program to argue against each other, and not to have a constructive dialogue upon which common ground is established and active listening is practiced.  In school growing up I took part in many debates where the goal was to win, however, my classes never included conflict resolution techniques and practices.

The Military

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bik8ZJjBuSo/?tagged=americanculture

The military is an overarching aspect of American culture.  While it was not a big part of the American culture I grew up in, or am part of now, it is certainly a fundamental aspect of American culture as a whole.  This aspect of American culture includes the glorification of war and weapons.  In this sense, war is not viewed as a travesty and last case resort in American culture, rather it is often viewed as an adventure and as “American as apple pie”.  This holds sharp contrast for me compared to the culture of war in other countries that I am familiar with, where war is deeply feared because it happens on their soil.

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Picture 1

In the first picture, the short clip of both former President Barack Obama and Jay Z really emphasized American culture in that with their freedom of speech, they have become prominent figures in our countries’ culture because they are two people who continue to praise their cultural identity and also fight for equality among all races. These two people are both huge advocates for the Black Lives Matter movement and I believe can be seem as role-models for other minorities from helping get rid of those negative stereotypes and being successful for your work ethic and merits. I think this really depicts American culture because they have both gained great fame for embracing their past, who they are, and not letting anyone stop them from success, which is what I believe America is all about.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bi49XrpnUki/?tagged=americanculture

Picture 2

This picture is from an American rapper who recently came out with a song called  “This is America”. In this song he discusses the many violent issues our citizens are going through right now and how it is up to us to fight in order to make a change. To me this depicts the American culture in that people are able to speak their minds and create art that reaches mass audiences discussing issues in our country and world that we need to change. Recently many other media figures as well have been creating songs, movies, campaigns, etc., using this 1st Amendment right and their platform to inform and educate our society about the need for change in America right now.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BihyWF1gN0v/?tagged=americanculture

Picture 3

The picture of the cooking class with a bunch of kids depicts the American culture in that our country is made up of people from so many different places and cultures, which really diversifies America. Walking down the street in pretty much any state, you will see a diverse group of people with different ethnic backgrounds, cultures, and traditions. Living in a country where there are so many culturally diverse people is so fun and interesting because we are exposed to more cultures, traditions, foods, etc., from the people who bring their traditions over to the US, and therefore makes our nation even more globalized. America is seen as the “melting pot” of countries, which is why I believe this picture really depicted the US culture.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bips9RRhwpx/?tagged=americanculture

Picture 4

This last picture is a collage of some of the different beautiful sceneries we have her in America. I believe this depicts US culture in that there are so many different climates, landscapes, and attractions throughout the entire country, so there is always a different site to see when you visit. Whether it is the Statue of Liberty in New York, The Grand Canyon in Arizona, the Hollywood Sign in California, or Mt. Hood here in Oregon, there are so many different landscapes and monuments to see in one country and shows how much there is to see here in America.

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Post 1
The first picture I stumbled upon was of a lizard or gecko of some sort sitting on a flower. I decided to pick this picture because throughout the US there are many geographic landmarks and national parks. I feel that this is a big part of the culture in the states. Although this is just a small example of the United States beauty. A few examples of the culture in relation to nature include mountains, deserts, forests, etc. In Oregon especially, there are many places that are popular because of the nature's beauty. Around the globe, there are also such place.

Post 2
The second picture I found was a picture of a family gathered around the television. This reminds me of marketing and advertisements. In America, big events, celebrations or just plain television series are often a part of the culture. The experience of being at the event or watching it is a part of our culture. We watch big sports games and movie award shows to stay connected. Society likes to stay up with the news. Thus, when main events or tragic events happen around the US, the event is usually projected on every news channel on tv. This shows how gathering around a tv can be considered part of culture. I think that family time is also a part of American culture.

Post 3
The third photo that stood out to be was a grave accompanied by an American flag. The grave is of a veteran. A big part of American culture is the military. A holiday is dedicated to them and a ton of money is used to support the military. This has shaped our lives for better and worse. The American flag represents our freedom. Another piece of this that helps define culture is guns. A big topic up for discussion is gun control because of all the school shootings. One of the amendments is the right to bear arms. The government and legal system that runs the country is a huge aspect of its culture.

Post 4
Lastly, I chose an image of grilled cheese. In America, we love our food. This may be why we have some of the highest obesity rates in the world. Food is seen, tasted and smelled everyday by Americans. Many traditions revolve around the food or cuisine enjoyed. In America, the typical meal would be some type of barbecue. Just like other destinations, this has impacted the culture. Grilled cheese is also a classic. I think that it is a popular option because it can accommodate all classes of society.

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The four pictures I chose were the following:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bi9ivMXgyjd/?tagged=americanculture

American Culture I feel includes in a large part our military. There is a great emphasis within our lifestyle and culture based on the respect, adoration and promotion of our military. For example, we spend an incredibly large amount of money as a country on our military. It is more than many other countries combined. It has also shaped America, for better or for worse. America has been at war longer then it has been at peace during its existence I feel.

Nowadays, there is not a whole lot of places that does not have some form of individual who had previously served in the military. In my job alone are four veterans of various years. Some are as young as I am, while others are in their forties-fifties and even older. Our military has shaped America and is ingrained into our culture.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bi4SLEpgXTQ/?tagged=americanculture

The good ol' American burger is I feel an absolute staple when discussing American culture. Among this I would also include hot dogs and apple pie. It represents in many regards the idealistic America, and while the reality may be quite different the nature of the burger itself serves as a (delicious) representation. Summer barbecuing in America more often than not will involve some kind of burger very similar to the picture posted.

America is a nation that lives on its stomach. Our culture includes food very heavily, in some cases harmfully so. Frankly, what else would you eat on a hot summer day when you're with others other than a burger?

https://www.instagram.com/p/BiuGXmSgA0b/?tagged=americanculture

I feel this picture, while not in of itself American culture, represents an unfortunate reality to America's history and with it its culture. America has had and continues to have problems with racism within our society. Not all culture is good I would argue, and this is a prime example of it.

The picture is less about the action, but more of what it represents in comparison to America's past. America fought a war partly due to the disagreement on the treatment of fellow men of a different skin color, and even today that dilemma of treatment and respect remains part of our culture.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BjGCt8wA0p3/?tagged=americanculture

Of course much like the burger, the car represents another aspect of American culture, and often goes hand in hand in representation. For American culture, the car represents freedom and the promotion of industry. It is social status, and it is freedom into the world around us. It is American to rev the engine, smell the gasoline and take off down the coastline in an open top 1980's Mustang.

This culture aspect however is very much of the material culture, which in turn is a face of American culture. There is much in the material world, and the material culture of America is prevalent and notable. It is by no means the only aspect of American culture, but it is a real part.

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I chose this post for two reasons: it depicts a small piece of American scenery and it represents the God-based values that are inherent in the U.S.  America is a large geographic region with much diverse landscape. American culture encompasses a lot of scenic natural views.  This seashore view is just one.  There are many more amazing vistas:  mountains, forests, deserts, plains, cities. It is impossible to capture all the scenery of American in one representative photo.  But America is definitely about gorgeous landscapes.

Also, the United States was founded on Christian principles. Although many people in this country are not Christian or are not religious, the underlying values generally line up with God-based values. The Golden Rule of treating others as you would like to be treated is the norm not the exception. Most people are decent and kind, friendly and helpful. Our laws try to emphasize a fair and democratic society based on equality of all people.

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What kind of a girl from the Motor City would I be if I didn't choose a post of a car to represent? Although there are areas of the country moving towards more sustainable transportation (like Portland), most of America is still in love with their cars! We are a driving society. They represent status, money, power. They reflect individual tastes. Our entire economy is largely based on oil. We are in cars all the time. Our health tends to reflect that. This country is full of drive-through businesses (mostly food), so we never even have to leave our cars. Henry Ford invented the assembly line for manufacturing automobiles in this country. We may now import as many (or more) cars than we make, but we are still completely car-centric!

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This post depicts America to me because in all the areas I have lived in the U.S., there have always been fairs. They look very different from each other, but the idea is universal. Americans love to have a good time. And good time to Americans usually involves eating, having fun/thrills (like amusement park rides), and music. This post also depicts American culture because of the variety of (junk) food showing in the photo. We gobble down junk food like there's no tomorrow. Although not shown in the picture, fairs also depict American Culture by the variety of clothes you'll see. Fairs also usually include concerts in the evening, with music being another cultural marker.

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I chose this Instagram post because it is difficult to choose one thing that represents American Culture. What part do you want to experience? Every post on the #americanculture account means America to someone, but it is unlikely that any one picture means America to everyone. We have such a diversity of people, traditions, food, music, experiences. We are also a geographically large country with many regions, creating lots of regional culture. And we also have a wide range of ages and abilities amongst the people. I suppose one thing that is universal about America is the vast number of choices available in every area.