At the end of 2006, John Rocker, the controversial former major league baseball pitcher known for his racist remarks years before, created a campaign to promote foreigners to assimilate in our country. His reasons and intentions may seem understandable and even agreeable however many argue that his message--Speak English--stems from a racist standpoint and those who argue against him have continued to label Rocker as a racist bigot. But how do most of us truly view immigrants who choose not to adapt to our American culture and customs?
“When in Rome, do as the Romans,” says Rocker on a televised Fox news interview. “When people vote with their feet--move into my country--just please assimilate yourself to my customs and my culture.”
Fair enough statement. It is important that we do all that we can to contribute and to promote diversity so that we can avoid building walls within our nation and to avoid making other ethnic groups feel withdrawn. As a multicultural society, there is the necessity for dialogue because there needs to be a way for all of us to communicate with each other in order to coexist. If we can’t have this communication, then our society will crumble from our own ignorance; without diversity, society will be filled with nests ostracizing each other because of the lack of acceptance for each other’s cultures and customs, thus, creating separatism and re-segregation.
Tom Tancredo, former Republican member of the US House of Representatives and author of Mortal Danger: The Battle for America’s Border and Security, felt similar in the importance for assimilation and was strongly against illegal immigrants and even campaigned against it. One of his biggest concerns is that the problem with immigration today, is not to dispute whether an immigrant is illegal or not--although that is a very important issue--but more about the lack of immigrants letting themselves adapt to our American customs. This concern stems from the belief that if we continue to let immigrants move into our country without learning our language or without accepting our politics or our morals, then we’ll lose the American identity in the midst of the growing foreign population.
“Today we are noticing a different kind of immigration pattern. A lot of people come here--again, for the purpose of being economically advantaged; certainly, absolutely true--but not with the desire to disconnect with the past; not desiring to disconnect linguistically, familially, culturally or even sometimes, politically. This is a problem, I think.”
An argument that opposes this belief is that no immigrant should adhere to our culture and customs; that because of our laws and the liberties they grant us, those who live in our country have the right to choose if they wish to assimilate or not. What makes our country so great is that everyone is given the right to live how they wish; politically, familially, linguistically and culturally. To disconnect yourself from where you originated so that you can ‘fit in’ does no justice for the individual.
David Abalos, a Princeton professor, is highly known in the world of scholars to hold beliefs against the idea of assimilation, fearing that the individual will lose self-heritage and the reminder of where they came from. Abalos believes that there is no difference between an immigrant assimilating one self and someone who wants to fit in, a constant argument he brings up, especially when referring to ‘elitists.’ Furthermore, his argument continues on, reminding us that there lies no problem with keeping your heritage and cultural customs intact, even living in a foreign country amongst natives.
“Assimilation is a deadly issue. Be in Princeton, but not of Princeton. If you become elitist you will abandon your own community. Don’t forget what your parents went through.”
Funny enough, both sides strongly fear the loss of what makes up the ideals of the individual and its society. He has a point, however, that in assimilating one self, there is a loss of heritage. To disconnect one self from their origins does the country itself no justice at all since there will be no way for Americans to learn from foreign customs.
I open this to our readers and ask you to share; what do you all feel about the philosophy of assimilation? Is there a wrong in believing that foreigners should adapt to our cultures and live differently than how they used to, without the customs of their origins? Should foreigners choose not to assimilate and thus, live amongst those like themselves in a sub-group that strays from the American society? Or does it really depend on the circumstance?
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written by Pricilla , August 24, 2009
PS: I support Rocker though, english has always been the traditional language here and that should never stop. Although I got to admit I would hate to have to learn another language all over again.
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written by Roger, August 24, 2009
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written by Evelyn, August 26, 2009
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written by Corolla Win , August 28, 2009
Ok seriously - I think you are asking some very good questions here. Questions that really explore the magnitude of this issues and make people think deeply about it. Eventually the governing bodies of our country will have to address this. Here in Miami English and Spanish are spoken interwovenly and I don't see why it doesn't have to happen elsewhere. Keep in mind though that English is still the first language of choice here. All our road signs are still in English lol!
PS: Hey Takeru what's up! I also wanted to say wicked article yet again!
Corolla
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written by Joe, August 29, 2009
Holding onto the past is very important to zero generation Americans, and in many ways, they are absolutely right to. I'm sure you know as a member of the Asian American community that there are some things that can go by the wayside and many more things that should not. We cannot forget the past or we compromise our identity and our future. There is much to learn from the past, and those who throw it away are commiting a crime against their ancestors and themselves. There is also no guarantee that assimilation will make you "American." Despite being a 2.5 generation American, I know that I am seen as a perpetual foreigner to most...and in my own country, the only place I have ever called home! All because my biological makeup is half Asian.
My father turned his back on most of his culture. He tried to be more "American" but he is still seen as just Chinese, not Chinese American, just Asian, not Asian American, despite being born and raised in Brooklyn. Now I'm left with having to rediscover what he abandoned, which will probably take a lifetime to do since my grandfather is dead. All that history is lost and must be found again...if it even can be. It is important to know your roots. Know history, know self; no history, no self.
My grandfather was an illegal immigrant. He came over here while the Chinese Exclusion Act was in effect. He was a paper son, using a fake ID to get into the country, because the Chinese were not allowed to enter the country during this time. He had to go through a lot of trouble to get here...and he still wasn't considered a citizen after being here! If he had a wife, he wouldn't have even been able to bring her over. He had to fight in the War to earn his citizenship, and afterwards, married my grandmother and brought her here.
I'm not suggesting the government will pass something similar to the Chinese Exclusion Act, but we should learn from that mistake and never let it happen again to anyone.
Immigrants have a right to come here to pursue a better life. We are a nation of immigrants. Immigrants have made this country what it is. If we curb immigration, we are undoing a basic principle of this great land. Yes, our country should come first, and I think most would put America before their homeland if push came to shove, but perhaps some of these people that come here hope for and pursue change in their home countries as well as here so life will be better there, and I see nothing wrong with that. Many that fit this description in fact are probably political refugees, like those from the Tiananmen Square protests/massacre. If government really wants people to stop coming over here or anyone into any country for that matter, then they should help other countries improve their quality of life to a certain extent. Then not as many will want to come here, because things will be fine where they are.
Anyone who comes here thinking they don't have to learn English is kidding themselves, and I have never met anyone that didn't want to learn English. There's plenty of room for people to use other languages. The bank down the street from my grandparents' house has window signs in Chinese, and it doesn't bother me. I think it's great. Although, this doesn't account for the fact that many services only offer Spanish as an alternative language to customers, which I feel is unfair to non-Spanish speakers who are not English proficient. I wish everyone here knew another language other than English. It would greatly enrich us as a nation. At the end of the day, English is still the de facto language and it's used just about everywhere by just about everyone.
Even if the zero generation refuses to assimilate, history has proven the first generation will be much more open to it, but hopefully, they will have learned from others' mistakes and not throw away their past like so many before them have, leaving their descendants with the task of digging it up later on.
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written by Erickson, August 30, 2009
Meh...I love me a good poser!
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written by Kelly Gajamakinvabrusj, August 31, 2009
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A true American will be a strong proponent towards strong border security.