We are all foreign-born or the descendants of foreign-born, and if distinctions are to be made between us they should rightly be on some other ground than indigenous. The early colonists came over with motives no less colonial than the later. They did not come to be assimilated in an American melting-pot. They did not come to adopt the culture of the American Indian. They had not the smallest intention of "giving themselves without reservation" to the new country. They came to get freedom to live as they wanted. They came to escape from the stifling air and chaos of the old world; they came to make their fortune in a new land.
Transnational America
Meaning- they came to America to find something new, whilst keeping their old attitudes. These people had no intention of changing or even adapting to the “new world.” Instead, they came with their previous value system, which for them, was all they needed.
I chose this quote, because as an immigrant myself, I know what it is like to try and assimilate. It is one thing to try and conform. Then again, one must never sell out, in order to be accepted. Immigrants must keep their traditions and customs in order to not lose focus and direction. I believe most immigrants come to America for a better life. This so called better life may include a quality education, a great job, and maybe even the ability to chose and make decisions without the threat of persecution.
Excerpt from "What I Saw In America"
But the converse need by no means be true. There is nothing in the nature of things to prevent an emigration of Turks increasing and multiplying on the plains where the Red Indians wandered; there is nothing to necessitate the Turks being extremely rare. The Red Indians, alas, are likely to be rarer. And as I much prefer Red Indians to Turks, not to mention Jews, I speak without prejudice; but the point here is that America, partly by original theory and partly by historical accident, does lie open to racial admixtures which most countries would think incongruous or comic. That is why it is only fair to read any American definitions or rules in a certain light, and relatively to a rather unique position. It is not fair to compare the position of those who may meet Turks in the back street with that of those who have never met Turks except in the Bab Ballads. It is not fair simply to compare America with England in its regulations about[Pg 10] the Turk. In short, it is not fair to do what almost every Englishman probably does; to look at the American international examination paper, and laugh and be satisfied with saying, 'We don't have any of that nonsense in England.'
What is America?
This passage refers to the uniqueness of America. America is unlike any other country whereby a group of people that you would not expect to find in an area, you more than likely will locate them in that region. As the article states, there is nothing to prevent Turks from being in an area that was previously populated by Red Indians. Furthermore, the article talks about diversity. America cannot be compared to England, which would be considered an Anglo –Saxton culture.
I chose this passage because I think that variety is the spice of life. Certainly, everyone is entitled to his/her individuality. However, the melting pot that is America is a testament to God’s word that everyone can live together in peace and love.
No comments:
Post a Comment