Assimilation often becomes the main focus of any and all discussions about immigration. Most of the anti-immigrant groups and some of the sympathetic ones usually wind up in concluding that immigrants to the United States during the early part of the twentieth century assimilated better and at a faster rate into the US mainstream. Is such a conclusion accurate? Is it desirable? And above all is it possible to advocate such outcomes in the year 2009? May I suggest; and this is a purely subjective statement; that the answer to all the above three questions is a resounding NO.
Some academics have even developed measures for assimilation and their studies show that the current immigrants do assimilate just as rapidly as those of a hundred years ago. It is also to be noted that what the “restrictionists” mean when they speak of assimilation ought to be rejected since their conception is best described as a linear process instead of the realistic dynamics that change both the new arrivals and the natives at the same time. Furthermore, even if old fashioned traditional assimilation was possible a century ago it is no longer plausible for the simple reason that immigration is not presently undertaken with the sole expectation that it is to be permanent. Temporary immigration is what explains immigrant remittances and the “new economic theory of migration”.
Old fashioned assimilation, as a one way street, where the minority loses its identity in order to acquire the characteristics of the majority can succeed only in an undemocratic and hegemonic environment. We ought to celebrate its demise instead of decrying its death. Gracias amigos/as.
Professor, I agree. I believe what makes America so different is its promise to embrace all cultures (unfortunately i feel that isnt always the case). I think we should celebrate every culture because that is how this nation developed whether or not people what to admit it. America is not really a place of invention, but improvement. All of our current customs have derived from other nations and their practices, I think we sometimes forget that fact. I am glad that America is moving towards diversifying even more now.
ReplyDeletethat comment was from Adriana Scutari...Sorry I forgot to write it.
ReplyDeleteI actually agree that the immigrants used to assimilate quicker years ago. I am an immigrant as of 1996, and I could speak, read and write English pretty fluently bye 1999 which was 3rd grade. However, immigrants from spanish speaking countries that moved to America the same year as I did did not move on from ESL (english as a second language) until years later. Its rather astounding however that America is having troubles accepting such immigrants. However I also believe that immigrants should make more of an effort to learn the language and assimilate not fully, I mean they should always hold onto their cultures (no doubt that I do), but without assimilation America will end up divided into two (or more) different cultures. I think to make this country work, everyone has to put in an effort of acceptance. - Justyna Sokol
ReplyDeleteI think assimilation is different for every immigrant. Although there may be patterns, many of them adapt differently because of their motives for migrating. Those immigrants who do it because they had no choice usually do not assimilate as quickly or at all whereas those who migrate because they want to have a better life and enjoy where they immigrated to will assimilate as fast as possible. I do not think there are any other reasons for assimilation other than survival and desire.
ReplyDeleteI personally do not believe that assimilation was any different years ago. I feel that when immigrants come to this country it is only natural that they will assimilate in the sense of taking up our traditions and values because they are around them all day long. I also agree with adriana in the sense that the reason it is so easy for people to assimilate when they come to America is because we are open to every culture thus inheriting the name the melting pot. Although sometimes we are not always as accepting as we promise to be, i believe that for the majority, any culture and any type of immigrant can easily assimilate into ours because of the way we greet them when they are here.
ReplyDeleteIt is very hard to describe what assimilation is. Many groups want it to mean a total change in an immigrants beliefs and customs to fit in with American society. Other more realistic Americans want immigrants to learn English and make an honest living. Can an immigrant be described as "assimilated" once they reach a certain position at their job or hit a particular cap salary in the low 6 figures? Or is it a hybrib of the both, can an immigrant only become financially stable if they forget their way of life from the mother country and pick up acceptable American practices and customs?
ReplyDeleteToday more than ever we have immigrants who want it all, and deserve a chance at having it all. It is not too much to ask to keep your beliefs and customs from your old country while still becoming economically successful in America. When "assimilated" is used as a postive charecteristic what does it mean? The hope of every immigrant is to provide a better life for themselves and their family once reaching America and as long as this does not harm anyone else shouldn't they be given the same oppurtunity to succeed as a person born in America?--VINNIE
I ask some of the same questions as vinnie; when is assimilation complete? Is there a bell that goes off in an immigrants home and a loud speaker which announces, "Ok you are done shedding yourself of all things familiar to you, good work american, you can now pay taxes" ? Often, I toss around ideas about my own identification with that of a true American, and almost always come up short. I, myself, couldn't tell you what is that makes the ideal American. I guess speaking English would be a prerequisite, and then being legal-minded and law abiding. That really is where the bill ends for me. In that case, why can't cultural identities be preserved, if they respect the mere two american characteristics I can think of. Everywhere else I look, I see things that we often like market as American, but which have been brought here from somewhere else and have taken their turn being persecuted and looked down upon. When will we ever truly learn from our history? That all this fuss we make now, just looks silly later when we being exalting and celebrating the very cultures we once threw face down into the sewers. I'm not sure when, as a country, we will learn this, but I hope it is soon. I'm getting a bit tired of this silly assimilation into the perfect american talk.
ReplyDeleteI believe we must be open to cultures and diversity especially in the United States. Everyone immigrants and natives of this country should feel comfortable with who they are and where they come from. Everybody has a different opinion on what it is to be truly "American" and I believe to fully define assimilation is impossible. I also believe that immigrants who come here, do want to keep their own culture, but at the same time share some of our values and holidays such as July 4th and Thanksgiving etc.. Im not sure we can ever say if an immigrant has ever fully "assimilated"
ReplyDeleteLauren Creegan