-American Identity is largely shaped by history, marked with a tug-of-war between factionalism and unity
-Music and cultural blending can serve to alleviate divides
-factionalism and division breed fear and resentment, the start of a vicious cycle which can be leveraged by anyone
American Identity and culture are products of America’s inhabitants, and its history — a history filled with moments of strife and harmony alike. Cultural manifestations such as music and literature can serve to steer the national status more towards the harmonious end, because they spur the realization of universals, prompting shared acknowledgements of commonality across unexpected social barriers.
Potential Scene #1: From docuseries: During Willie Nelson’s performances, people “from all tribes” came together and “forgot that they hated each other”
Potential Scene #2: From Wolfe (Mau Mauing): Wolfe discusses how factionalism reigned in the 1970s inner cities — he states that white people were fearful of blackness, and this was essentially used against them.
-relate to what was happening in music scene during the 1970s
Potential Scene #3 (Steinbeck) — the marriage of Doc and Suzy — very unalike, very different lives and presumably upbringings, found unity despite this reality
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