America is truly a “melting pot.” coming from Toronto, although not United States land, they are very similar, and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, I experience this blending of cultures everyday. And having attended a nearly all white school when I was younger, I vastly prefer high school which was a mix of latinos,whites and blacks, where students come from all backgrounds. Some Americans may not be aware of it, but the integration of cultures in America has changed popular culture, music, and daily life for the better. Each culture adds different values and a different perspective to form the entirety that is American life.

On the weekends, my neighbors sometimes decide to serenade the entire block by turning up their traditional Spanish music. I don’t mind, however I am Columbian,but the message that the music delivers is universal. The soulful blend of vocals and acoustic guitar speaks of heartache, while the fiery trumpets and trombones speak of passion. No other music delivers so direct and powerful a message about love than Hispanic music, a music which has influenced modern hip-hop. Every afternoon, I hear on the streets the lively, hip-hop beat of “Reggaeton,” a music that blends Jamaican and Latino influences.

But the influence of different cultures is hardly restricted to music. Not only have contemporary movies began incorporate elements from diverse cultures, foreign films have also become more popular in America. These films broaden our understanding of the struggles and triumphs of cultures around the world, connecting every individual to the global community.

Not only in film has the merging of different cultural influences benefited Americans. In Ohio, the culinary heritages of the world converge. As a lover of unique foods, I am grateful for this diversity.

Underneath every culture, the people remain the same; they experience the same