Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Ethnic & Cultural Diversity in New England


 Last night, after observing the town hall meeting, I lay in my bed, reflecting on all the people of New England. When Aunt Jane and I walked through the town, I studied the ethnic and cultural diversity of New England. There was not nearly as much variety as in Virginia.

In New England, the majority of the people are white, English Protestants. They are friendly with the native Indians, but the Indians are not a part of the community. New England is made up of English Pilgrims, Puritans, and Separatists.  They are basically all white colonists. The New England region is noticeably less ethnically mixed than its neighboring colonies. As I walked around, I did not see any slaves whatsoever, or difference in culture or ethnicity.

In complete contrast, Virginia is very ethnically and culturally mixed. We are the most populous colony, with black slaves from the coast of West Africa, indentured servants journeying across the Atlantic to come work on the tobacco plantations from Britain or Germany, and even the aristocratic great planters. In Virginia, I like how mixed our society is. With different cultures and ethnicities, life is interesting because the people are unique. I’m very thankful to live in Jamestown, with diverse people of distinct ethnicities and cultures. 

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