2. All groups, under the stimulus of opportunity and contact, have capacity to produce exceptional individuals of high creative ability or genius and thus help build up and perfect human culture.
The Nordic and Slav, the southern European and Jew, black, white, brown, and yellow have all produced men and women of outstanding brains and genius. To confirm these statements it is only necessary to read, in the pages that follow, the contributions of the immigrant and his descendants to American life.
Research studies, conducted on an objective basis, prove that individual brilliance may be and is, found in all groups.
3. Under the influence of a common environment, physical and cultural, the offspring of different racial and national groups in a democracy tend toward a common culture with common customs and ideals.
John Dewey has emphasized that, “in a democratic society, individuals give freely to others of the peculiar value, essence, quality, and contribution of the group to which they belong, and receive freely the corresponding treasures of other groups, and this without violence to the complete uniqueness of the group.”
At birth, no individual has any culture and so the culture he eventually acquires is the one he finds around him and is capable of assimilating. However, “new conditions bring the need of new ideals and new emphasis on certain aspects of old ideals.” Civilization itself is not only safeguarded but advanced when a nation, composed of many races, finds it possible for each racial group to “function creatively in building the culture of the race into the whole culture pattern.”
4. Within the framework of common political and economic institutions, a variety of cultural elements makes for a richer and more active social culture.
In all history, some of the most advanced civilizations have been the product of a mixture of cultures. No great nations or civilizations have been born in isolation. Inbreeding inevitably results in one-sidedness and, eventually, in stagnation and decadence.
Spain was at its greatest “when the mixture of peoples was at its height.” England grew great because the ingredients of many racial groups ran in the Englishman’s blood. The United States will continue to be great because the intermingling of many groups tends to build a culture or civilization that unifies the best of their contributions.
5. A civilization of many different elements develops religious, social, and cultural tolerance. It also creates ability which may permit it to grow and change.