I recently read an article that discussed opposing viewpoints on Mexican immigration. The article, entitled "Immigration and Cultural Identity," was published in Issues & Controversies on File on March 23, 2007, at FACTS.com by the Facts of File News Services. It highlighted the question of whether or not allowed illegal Mexican immigrants to remain in our country is destroying America's "sense of national identity." It also mentions the unwillingness of some immigrants to assimilate into American culture at all. Though it is not stated, I assume that the motives those immigrants have are often times the economic benefits of living in the United States (i.e. more work opportunities and better salary).
This allowed me to think about a major issue at hand. What kind of cultural/national identity does America have? Are we not a melting pot of all different cultures? But yet, why do some feel the need to exclude themselves to the point that they do not actually "melt in" and mix with the rest? I understand that it is a gross generalization to assume that all people who are Mexican immigrants do not wish to be part of American society; however, it seems that a large enough amount have behaved in such a way to create a controversial issue in American society.
If the United States had an official language (presumably English), would this deter immigrants from entering our borders with no plans to assimilate culturally? I hypothesize that it would create turmoil for many making a decision to come to America, but I doubt that it would cull all illegal immigration. I would like to further analyze this question.
Michelle G.
This allowed me to think about a major issue at hand. What kind of cultural/national identity does America have? Are we not a melting pot of all different cultures? But yet, why do some feel the need to exclude themselves to the point that they do not actually "melt in" and mix with the rest? I understand that it is a gross generalization to assume that all people who are Mexican immigrants do not wish to be part of American society; however, it seems that a large enough amount have behaved in such a way to create a controversial issue in American society.
If the United States had an official language (presumably English), would this deter immigrants from entering our borders with no plans to assimilate culturally? I hypothesize that it would create turmoil for many making a decision to come to America, but I doubt that it would cull all illegal immigration. I would like to further analyze this question.
Michelle G.
3 comments:
Guy,
I live in Columbus, Ohio and we have the second largest Soamali Community in the country. As a whole, they are clannish. We have a definite problerms with groups that wholeheartedly cling to their culture, and not make an effort to assimilate into their host country's Culture.
Whether Mexicans do this
or not remains to be seen. the larger issue,and there are many is the economic impact on this country.
Through illegal immigration, we are creating a larger additonal undercalss of poorly skilled, low educated workers which benefits those in power and buisnesses( profit margins) but hurts the working middle class.
Unskilled labor perpetuates lower wages and therefore adds toa nations' working poor and makes froa definite problem.
Will the USA soon become a third world country if this is allowed to go on in the future? Think about it.
I have a blog which touches on this problem also at Razing the Grotto@blogspot.com ( It's a google blog)
Good luck w/ your blog. I'll return to see more posts in the future.
i liked how you talked about these people coming here to work an dto get a better life.
Thank you El fregon for commenting on the post. I hope that we all can work out something for everyone. I want our country to become strong in our voice against indiscriminate prejudice as a remedy for immigration issues.
This is not a simple problem with simple solutions. It is complex and its implications are long lasting. We have to be strong and enforce our laws in a judicious way.
Perahaps when George Bush is gone, we can all clear our throats, and breathe again, and just maybe start again.
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