America! Immigration versus Assimilation
Posted by StormWarning on 29 May 2007 at 08:11 am | Tagged as: Current Affairs, Domestic Terrorism, International Issues, National Security, Opinions, Social Issues
America! "The land of the free and the home of the brave." But, unless you’re a Native American, none of us are from here! For generations, immigrants have come to these shores seeking liberty. Alas, today, that is no more, because it cannot be the way it was. September 11th changed all of that.
America! We are a land of many, from myriad shores. In waves of thousands, immigration made our country what it is today. It is who we are.
"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
Our history chronicles their coming. The Irish, the Italian, the Asian, the German, the Jewish (my grandparents fled the pogroms and came here from Russia in the early 1900’s - they learned English, became professionals and raised families) and many other groups. It is said that America! is the melting pot. We all assimilated together (a purposeful redundancy). And yet, today, that is no more, because it cannot be the way it was. September 11th changed all of that.
A Memorial Day editorial in the Washington Post spoke of honoring our war dead. And told of 3 soldiers…"One was a Navy petty officer from Haiti, one a Marine noncom from St. Vincent and one an Army sergeant from Canada." It went on to remind that in years past, America’s fighting men (and now women) came to this country by many means, some documented and others, not…but they came, and filled with the ideals of America! they fought for their new country in wars past.
Yes, Memorial Day was a day for Remembering Americans of many nationalities…because it is who were are, or rather who we were.
In the mid-19th century there was a huge wave of immigration to this country, much of it caused by famine and political repression abroad. As is usually the case, America had need of these people — the large majority of whom came from Ireland and Germany — but a sizable proportion of the native population didn’t much care for them. The discrimination against Irish immigrants is well-known, of course: Many saw them as a permanent underclass. Of the Germans, it was said that they kept apart, refused to learn English and didn’t assimilate.
In our past, there have been riots protesting one group of immigrants or another. In our past, there has been bias, fear, hatred and ignorance about one group of immigrants or another. But in the end, we were Americans all! And the immigrants assimilated.
And yet, September 11th, 2001 changed all of that (at least in my mind), because it cannot be the way that it was. I’m sorry to say that, but it is true.
Assimilation is the key word. Today, there is a difference. I’ve known a pretty Asian girl, now married and almost 35 years old. When I last saw her, she spoke with a heavy Chinese accent, and yet she lived in this country all of her life. She was an American by birth, and yet, she had not assimilated. Read the words of the Mexican woman quoted in the article linked to the word "assimilation"
"I think I’m still a Mexican," she says. "When my skin turns white and my hair turns blonde, then I’ll be an American."
The "old" America regrettably was lost on September 11th. Because after that day, many like myself, children of first generation Americans opened our eyes and realized that the "new" immigrants did not come here to assimilate and become one of us. Would they fight for this country in a future war? Would they serve, as I and many others do? From the southern border come illegal aliens…many not to stay, but to work and send their money back to their country…even those who stay, not to assimilate and learn English. They demand two-language documents, even after they pass their citizenship.
And then, there is the fear that immigrants like Aamr Bahnan Boles, a Chaldean Christian Iraqi who crossed over to the US from Mexico illegally, come not for religious freedom, but for other reasons. It is an unavoidable fear today that we have Terrorists Among Us.
If in no other way than this, that we can no longer blindly accept the World’s "huddled masses" without question, the terrorists have achieved one of their goals (in the past, I’ve written that "the terrorists have won"). Sadly, I don’t think that the arms of this Nation can be opened so wide as to not question the motives of people wanting to enter our borders.
It is a
question of our National heritage based on the search for religious
freedom, versus our National security based on the not so irrational
concern about Middle Eastern terrorists seeking to enter our country.
Sadly, it is not easy, if at all, to tell the difference between a
Chaldean Iraqi, and an Iraqi who is either Shi’a or Sunni. And until
all people entering this country are subjected to holding periods
during which background and security checks are performed, the search
for religious freedom must unfortunately take a backseat to the
assurance of National Security.
I may take some "hits" on this one, but so be it. I have written what I believe, and what I believe others think, but do not write or speak. Comment as you like.
Crossposted on RCP.
More thoughts from others on Memorial Day:
Right Truth - Memorial Day Weekend Thoughts …
Freedom’s Lighthouse - Memorial Day Heroes Tribute - Video Collection
Fore Left! - Memorial Day tribute
Woman Honor Thyself - Memorial DaY MusingS
Faultine (and Maggies Notebook) - Absurd Glimpses of Memorial Day 2007
Uncooperative Blogger: From the White House Commission On Remembrance
Maggies Notebook - Absurd Glimpses of Memorial Day 2007
Immigration Prof Blog - Saying Thanks to Immigrants on Memorial Day
For a slightly different perspective, go to LowDown Central, Islamists Threats in the U.S.
Current Affairs, Domestic Terrorism, International Issues, National Security, Opinions, Social Issues
I think you are right, the willingness of immigrants to assimilate is the difference in the ‘old’ immigrants and the new. I don’t believe that all nationalities of current immigrants fall into that category. It is mostly Mexican and Islamic (to an extent) immigrants who still consider themselves citizens of their former countries, and do not want to become part of the American culture. This is what causes problems.
I’m going to vote and will include a link in my article.
I must agree with all but one comment. As a second generation German, my granparents and parents were not allowed to speak German outside of the house. English first and no bilingualism!
So much of the USA has been destroyed by multiculturalism and a growing facism in our universities. It is also sad that Congress has put a price tag on citizenship. Why not just list it on eBay? And yes, after 9/11 I expect serious background checks not 24 hour ones.
I am just so happy that I could use the George Soros funded 800 telephone number to call my Senators and oppose the immigration reform bill. Go America!
Illegal aliens in jail, then what?
In jails across the United States, seldom a day goes by without law enforcement arresting illegal aliens. It’s what they do after they have them in jail that can make the difference for Americans. Are they simply released, or are
It actually pains me still to know that I actually mean what I wrote…that America is no longer a refuge for oppressed peoples because of the insecurity and because of the need to protect our Nation from those who would surreptitiously enter this country and perpetrate an act of terrorism. I can’t believe that I actually feel and believe that in my heart, but I do.
Debbie, the answer is the willingness to assimilate. And yet, the Asian woman I wrote about was born here…and she speaks as though she’s just arrived in this country. To her, English is a second language.
To be one people, we must all believe in that concept.
JIGGS, the passage to which you refer was a quote from the Washington Post article…yes I chose to quote it, but I didn’t fact check it. I happen to disagree with your use of the word “fascism” relating to our universities.
But then again, I disagree with alot of the “conservative” rhetoric that abounds in the Internet.
The smuggling of foreigners through Mexico is one aspect of what we are facing. Today’s JFK plot also involves the possible smuggling of terrorists through Florida.