The following was written by an internet friend with whom I correspond in another forum. With her permission and a few minor editing changes, I am sharing it with my readers. Whatever your position is on immigration, I think you will find some very well made points in her personal thoughts. A comment section follows each of my blog posts and your thoughts are just as welcome as hers. A link to a two minute video follows this blog post. Please take a minute to view the video as it highlights the subject herein. I'll leave you now to read on. I hope you enjoy this blog post. Let me know either way:
~By M~
America is a melting pot and always has been. As a native New Yorker my family associated with many different nationalities and religions and encouraged it among their children, me for one. It's called assimilation, a celebration of all nationalities, customs and religions with respect for our differences.
International customs have filtered into American society over the past 200+ years. The Christmas tree - Sweden, eating 7 kinds of fish on Christmas eve - Italy, burning 8 candles for 8 days - Eastern Europe - Jews, carving pumpkins - Ireland, Pizza - Italy, The Statue of Liberty, the most recognizable symbol in the world of America - a gift from France.
We - America did NOT protest these traditions or differences. We adopted them with good will and freedom of choice. No one forced them upon us. We absorbed these customs freely and treasure them today without a second thought of their origination.
France has always been very protective of her heritage. So much so, that they have an agency that interprets the names of new foreign words and translates them into French. This was brought to my attention by a student of French language and culture over 25 years ago. The French did not want their beautiful language 'bastardized' with foreign words, Ex: walkman is le baladeur.
Of the hundreds of nationalities, including my own family, that came to America, they came to express themselves freely, for varieties of reasons.
They contributed - Chinese built railroads, Japanese grew pineapples in Florida, Norwegians built dairies, Irish became LEO's & Firemen in NY, Greeks owned diners, Danish were wood craftsmen etc.
Now there are current immigrants that leave countries of great political oppression (as did millions who fled here to our country at the turn of the century), no work, war torn, no economy, no industry etc. Many leave countries that have no infrastructure, no libraries, museums, schools or even a fire department. They flee to countries that HAVE these things to offer freely. The established countries fought wars and bled to maintain their heritage and culture.
If my neighbor's house was burnt, and I offered them housing, food, and hospitality....how would I feel if they began to change/alter how I ran my household to THEIR way of living, then cursed me for my lifestyle, imposing their will upon me? Would I become a bit resentful of my guest?
Immigrants come as GUESTS! They chose to LEAVE the ugliness BEHIND them, NOT re-create or force it upon the host country!
THIS is the crux of why the new immigrants have problems. NOT racism, but forcing one's way of life upon the host, who has offered them sanctuary and a safe haven for they and their children. How about a little gratefulness, CONTRIBUTION and less belligerence?
International customs have filtered into American society over the past 200+ years. The Christmas tree - Sweden, eating 7 kinds of fish on Christmas eve - Italy, burning 8 candles for 8 days - Eastern Europe - Jews, carving pumpkins - Ireland, Pizza - Italy, The Statue of Liberty, the most recognizable symbol in the world of America - a gift from France.
We - America did NOT protest these traditions or differences. We adopted them with good will and freedom of choice. No one forced them upon us. We absorbed these customs freely and treasure them today without a second thought of their origination.
France has always been very protective of her heritage. So much so, that they have an agency that interprets the names of new foreign words and translates them into French. This was brought to my attention by a student of French language and culture over 25 years ago. The French did not want their beautiful language 'bastardized' with foreign words, Ex: walkman is le baladeur.
Of the hundreds of nationalities, including my own family, that came to America, they came to express themselves freely, for varieties of reasons.
They contributed - Chinese built railroads, Japanese grew pineapples in Florida, Norwegians built dairies, Irish became LEO's & Firemen in NY, Greeks owned diners, Danish were wood craftsmen etc.
Now there are current immigrants that leave countries of great political oppression (as did millions who fled here to our country at the turn of the century), no work, war torn, no economy, no industry etc. Many leave countries that have no infrastructure, no libraries, museums, schools or even a fire department. They flee to countries that HAVE these things to offer freely. The established countries fought wars and bled to maintain their heritage and culture.
If my neighbor's house was burnt, and I offered them housing, food, and hospitality....how would I feel if they began to change/alter how I ran my household to THEIR way of living, then cursed me for my lifestyle, imposing their will upon me? Would I become a bit resentful of my guest?
Immigrants come as GUESTS! They chose to LEAVE the ugliness BEHIND them, NOT re-create or force it upon the host country!
THIS is the crux of why the new immigrants have problems. NOT racism, but forcing one's way of life upon the host, who has offered them sanctuary and a safe haven for they and their children. How about a little gratefulness, CONTRIBUTION and less belligerence?
If your new home/hospitality is so displeasing to you, perhaps you'd be happier raising your children and returning to your country of origin, again facing the turmoil you chose to leave in the first place?
But do not feel you must impose your faith/culture/nationality upon the guest country. If your culture/religion/nationality was working so well for you, then why leave?
~M
But do not feel you must impose your faith/culture/nationality upon the guest country. If your culture/religion/nationality was working so well for you, then why leave?
~M
Please take two minutes to watch this video regarding a real immigration problem in France.
In addition to the points made in the original blog, it is important to note that "illegal" immigrants have no business in the US at all, let alone trying to establish "their rights" or to change the culture. Then, as stated above as legal immigrants assimilate into the existing culture, we will have the opportunity to enjoy many of their customs and traditions as they choose to share them with us and as we choose to adapt them...but insisting that we change to accommodate them is just ludicrous. Well stated blog.
ReplyDeleteVery good points.
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