Image

America’s “Out of Many, One” vs Australia’s “We Are One, but We Are Many”

"Perhaps the most significant cultural difference I have noticed between Australia and America is the difference between two types of culture: 'monoculturalism' and 'multiculturalism.'"

As an Australian-American, I often live in the best of both worlds and am well accustomed to the ideological differences between both countries, whether it be on theological, social, or political issues. But perhaps the most significant cultural difference I have noticed between Australia and America is the difference between two types of culture: “monoculturalism” and “multiculturalism.”

A significant part of America’s value system is rooted in the notion of E pluribus unum, which is Latin for “out of many, one” and is found on the Great Seal (America’s national symbol). Notice in the motto that the emphasis is not on the “many” but on the “one.”

On the other hand, according to Australia’s most popular national song I Am Australian, Australia is rooted in the idea that “we are one, but we are many.” Notice in the lyrics that the conjunction places more of a natural emphasis on the “many.”

Americans place little importance on the ethnic origins of their fellow citizens. As an example, when an immigrant, regardless of their ethnicity, becomes an American, he is treated as no less American than America’s ancestors who arrived in America hundreds of years ago and thereby assimilates into American culture readily.

This can be observed in the simple fact that millions of Americans patriotically hang American flags outside their homes, love their Constitution, despise globalism, and often find it difficult to locate cities outside of America on a world map.

Also, from personal experience, when Americans ask me where I am “from,” it usually means they are inquiring about what American state and city I am from. Therefore, while Americans come in all kinds of colors and ethnicities, they typically hold to “monocultural” ideals, since their national American identity takes precedence over their blood origins.

Australia, on the other hand, is unashamedly “multicultural.” Indeed, it is one of the most multicultural societies on earth that prizes the diverse ethnic cultures of its citizens.

For example, if a person from Lebanon emigrates to Australia, he will, first and foremost, be regarded as “Lebanese” before he is regarded as “Australian.” The chances of him hanging the national flag outside his house are slim to none, just as the chances of the average Australian hanging the national flag outside their house are slim to none (unless there’s a connection to the Australian Defence Force).

Moreover, in Australia, the word “nationality” refers not to one’s nation of citizenship but to their nation of ethnic origin. In fact, being a person of color, a common question Australians often ask me is, “What’s your natio?” (“Natio” is shorthand for “nationality.”)

If I respond by answering, “I’m Australian,” I almost always get the same (reworded) question immediately after. “But where are you actually from?” they inquire.

In other words, Australians, being multicultural, love cultures outside Australia and therefore exhibit greater curiosity about the ancestry of their fellow Australians—viewing ethnicity as central to national identity. Americans, being monocultural, love American culture and generally are “colorblind”—viewing American citizenship as central to national identity.

Having said that, I am grateful for the divine providence that set the boundaries of my habitation in Australia and America—two of the greatest nations on God’s green earth. Therefore, regardless of which side of the Pacific I reside, I will always bleed red, white, and blue.

What's New?

Use the blue arrows at the bottom to scroll through the latest.
Are Europeans Ishmaelites?

Are Europeans Ishmaelites?

Of course, I am asking this question somewhat tongue-in-cheek. But for a good reason.
By
by Matthew LittlefieldMar 12, 2025
New Report Highlights Australia’s Disregard for Human Rights Amid Pandemic

New Report Highlights Australia’s Disregard for Human Rights Amid Pandemic

"A new report reveals that Australian authorities utterly failed to prioritize human rights during the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving lasting consequences and validating the warnings expressed by Caldron Pool and the authors of the Ezekiel Declaration."
By
by Ben DavisMar 11, 2025
Growing Calls for Repeal of Anti-Free Speech Laws Following False Flag Revelations

Growing Calls for Repeal of Anti-Free Speech Laws Following False Flag Revelations

"Their motive appears to be an attempt to engineer sentence reductions in exchange for tip-offs about the attacks."
By
by Staff WriterMar 11, 2025
Hindu Idol Unveiled as Australia’s Tallest Metal Statue: “A Loss of Australian Identity”

Hindu Idol Unveiled as Australia’s Tallest Metal Statue: “A Loss of Australian Identity”

"So, the question we ought to be asking is, does India represent the kind of nation that Australia ought to model itself on? Without proper integration, increased immigration could reshape Australia in ways that challenge its foundational values today, and lead to a very different Australia in the future."
By
by Ben DavisMar 11, 2025
Stage-Managing Democracy: Romanian Authorities Cancel Calin Georgescu’s Candidacy

Stage-Managing Democracy: Romanian Authorities Cancel Calin Georgescu’s Candidacy

"A direct blow to the heart of democracy worldwide!"
By
by Rod LampardMar 11, 2025
Were Australia’s Anti-Semitism Laws Built on a “Fabricated Terror Plot”?

Were Australia’s Anti-Semitism Laws Built on a “Fabricated Terror Plot”?

"The Australian Federal Police revealed that the caravan filled with explosives was 'almost immediately' identified by police as a 'fake terrorism plot.'"
By
by Staff WriterMar 10, 2025
Reclaiming Reality: Restoring Humanity in the Age of AI

Reclaiming Reality: Restoring Humanity in the Age of AI

"But at its core, transhumanism is not about progress at all—it is a rebellion against God, an attempt to remake humanity in the image of those who reject the divine order."
By
by Bill MuehlenbergMar 10, 2025
There’s a Problem With Australian Christianity, and Even the Media Have Noticed It

There’s a Problem With Australian Christianity, and Even the Media Have Noticed It

"When Christians distance themselves from biblical truth in order to seem compassionate or open-minded, they end up supporting ideologies that contradict the core of what Christianity teaches," Mac Ghlionn writes.
By
by Staff WriterMar 9, 2025

Image

Support

If you value our work and would like to support us, you can do so by visiting our support page. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Visit our search page.

Copyright © 2024, Caldron Pool

Permissions

Everything published at Caldron Pool is protected by copyright and cannot be used and/or duplicated without prior written permission. Links and excerpts with full attribution are permitted. Published articles represent the opinions of the author and may not reflect the views of all contributors at Caldron Pool.