Assimilation Among Immigrant Groups

The American dream has been a clarion call that has reached far and wide beyond her borders. It is an invitation, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore.” For those who suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous misfortune, and hope to escape the chains and shackles of oppression, for a new, more prosperous life, America welcomes you. 

The Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights were created to ensure that each person would be given an opportunity, and that they could rely in good faith that these hallowed and storied documents would uphold the promise of the American dream, to prosper and live the freedoms as established, religion, assembly, speech, and a free press.

Immigrants from the 19th and early 20th centuries made the perilous journey across the sea; the Statue of Liberty welcomed them, “the teaming masses,” to our shores. They emigrated from their native countries to live in freedom and find opportunity. The majority were from the European continent, Caucasian, descendents of Western Civilization; most were Christians and shared a common heritage.

There were essential elements, prerequisites, that bound together these new arrivals who desired to become citizens. It encompassed their fidelity to America, acceptance of the laws of the land and the Judeo-Christian ethic, and of equal and vital importance, the need to assimilate. They would become part of the great “melting pot,” the heart and soul of America.

To repeat, the need to assimilate will determine whether the nation’s people will come together with courage, in harmony, and in brotherhood for the welfare and common good. Although they will bring with them their inherent values, principles, and traditions from their native countries, they will also adopt new standards of living and create other traditions in keeping with America’s conventional standards. They were to learn the English language. 

That was then, this is now. There is every reason to believe certain immigrant groups that arrived in the mid- to late-20th century forward, do not accept the American ethos. As an example, the Asian Indian community, in many cases, remains insulated and unassimilated from American culture. They live here, but retain their native country’s identity, and some refuse to become citizens. This is becoming prevalent among other immigrant groups.

Flags of other nations are flown during protests and demonstrations, while the American Flag is in flames on the ground. Enclaves of Middle Eastern immigrant communities look askance at American culture, and consider it immoral and perverse. Dearborn, Michigan, has a Muslim population of over 400,000. Recently, there appeared on the internet a redesign of the city’s police department badge to include Islamic symbols. After considerable outrage, the city had it taken down. 

There have been many words written and spoken on the issue of immigration. As far back as the 13th century, St.Thomas Aquinas, philosopher, scientist, doctor, theologian, wrote extensively on the subject. In one passage he writes, “if foreigners were allowed to meddle with the affairs of a nation as soon as they settle down in its midst, many dangers might occur, since the foreigner not yet having the common good firmly at heart might attempt something hurtful to the people.”

Several months ago, Vice President Vance spoke the following at a statesmanship award dinner. “America requires Americans. No, we don’t all need to look and sound identical, but we do need to be specific about what makes an American an American.”