How Immigrants Become Other By Marcelo And Carola Suarez-Orozco

For many decades the history of the United States and immigration has always been a very talked about topic of debate. Many Americans did not like the collision that immigrants would have upon the native-born American people, while others welcomed the flow of people as adding to America’s multiculturalism of difference. According to Immigration: Good or Bad for America (2016), a large amount of immigrants try to enter the U.S. borders without proper documentation, in this manner being labeled as illegal immigrants. In addition, the United States unusual position as a nation of immigrants is being questioned by

Peter Marin’s article “Toward something American: The Immigrant Soul” explains the subtle but noticeable difference between American life and American culture. American culture is defined as primarily western, but is influenced by Native American, African, Asian, Polynesian and Latin American cultures. (Wiki) Marvin explains that American culture is not much more than a mixture of past cultures. American life is slightly different. Marvin writes American although influenced by past cultures struggles to find home. Marvin states “home” is for us, as it is for all immigrants, sometimes to be regained, created, discovered, or mourned”. There are qualities and aspects that make up culture which can be defined as American or Western. In this essay we will explore the distinction between life and culture and if culture can be easily be distinguished between American or Western.

“Mom, will I ever be treated as a regular person? When will I be like the others without people look at me in a strange way and make fun of me, when mom? When?” Those were the questions I did to my mom almost every day after getting home from school. Fourteen years ago that my parents brought me to this country offering a better life with better opportunities than where I was born. I was seven years old when came to the United States, but I still remember the happiness I felt when I first step in this country. Throughout the years, I have realize that not everything is easy and simple as I imagined. My parents worked in the fields because of the lack of a social security and not knowing how to speak English. Many Americans do not know how hard it is the life of an immigrant, they should have a consideration for us and not just blame us for the deviance of the United States.

In conclusion, German and Irish immigrants faced prejudice solely because they were, in fact, immigrants and ‘un-american’. In reality, these immigrants shaped America in several ways, and made the United States an exceptionally diverse country. Their work helped fuel this country’s expansion and prosperity. Extending as far as today, anti-immigrant feelings are still integrated in our society, and situations are still similarly felt. After all, the so-called Americans in the 1800’s were technically descendants of immigrants, that serves to truly show the hypocrisy in their

Humanity is ever so much more complicated than one could have ever imagined. Humans can thrive on change, but ultimately look for something to declare as home. In search of this home people travel long distances and risk everything they have. When an American contemplates the word immigrant, one imagines the countless people from Mexico crossing into our country or the refugees that hope to make this country their home. What eludes most of us, however, is the reality that most people were, at one point, immigrants to this country and that our forefathers came here exactly the same as refugees come today. What is brought to mind when I hear the word immigrant is hope and perseverance. I remember the countless people who have traveled here

There are many questions arises when it comes to the way different cultures manage everyday life. In the book, The Immigrant Advantage by Claudia Kolker, gives us some explanations on their survival techniques. This book can help some Americans like me; live a healthy, happy and hopeful lifestyle. The Author suggests that some of us Americans can learn a few tips on immigration living. To support her information the author goes on a journey and talks face to face to some of the immigrants that moved to the U.S. with their families. Also she gives some details on her past life experiences that helped her cope with life expectations.

To say that immigrants in America have experienced discrimination would be an understatement. Ever since the country formed, they have been seen as inferior, such as African-Americans that were unwillingly brought to the 13 colonies in the 17th century with the intention to be used as slaves. However, post-1965, immigrants, mainly from Central and South America, came here by choice. Many came with their families, fleeing from their native land’s poverty; these immigrants were in search of new opportunities, and more importantly, a new life. They faced abuse and Cesar Chavez fought to help bring equality to minorities.

People are always uneasy with what they don’t know, and immigrants carry with them different cultures, languages, and the unknown. During the late 1900s and early 2000s, America was dealing with a large influx of immigrants. In America from 1880 to 1925, immigrants were viewed through a lens of racial prejudice and seen as either sources of work or of crime.

The Europeans who claimed what was to become America chose to integrate the land's present inhabitants and future immigrants in order to become the dominating race and, consequently, made other cultures feel inferior to their own. The Angel family, Mexican-Indian immigrants and the subject of Arturo Islas' Migrant Souls, becomes victim to the Americans' forceful demands for conformity. While Sancho, the father, never complains about assimilation, yet never becomes fully "assimilated," his wife, Eduviges, strives to be a part of the American culture. These conflicting reactions and the existing prejudice in the community leave their daughter, Josie, uncertain of her true identity.

During the 1930s, the Mexican Americans had a tragic on The Great Depression. Back then the Hispanics were also called Chicano because that name is another short version of saying Mexicano. Thousands of people had ran away from Mexico and if they go to the United States, they are considered as a United States citizens so they are marked as white on the United States all the way till the 1930s by law. In that time a lot of Mexican Americans had move to the United States “Mexicans and Mexican Americans make up one of the largest and most rapidly growing minority in the United States.” (Gelletly,4-15-16 Book). This also makes the Mexican and Mexican Americans the second largest minority group in the United States. In the United States the government is in charge and counting on how many people living in the United States, so about 20million Mexican and Mexican Americans are living there. The Great Depression had led all of the people’s life to a bad and poor condition liken living, food, money, jobs, and etc. Especially if they have children(s), it makes it a lot harder for them to work and they got to work extra hard for not only themselves, but also for their family too. One of the important thing why Mexican Americans moved, they all just one to have a good and better life besides them struggling for their life “…Many Mexican choose to

Americans have often resisted assimilation, especially if it meant race mixing or cultural blending. They feared how immigrants would change the culture and

After the establishment of the “acceptable” and “right” type of American, the neglect of Blacks, Native Americans, and European immigrants emerged. Although white European immigrants, were not identified and considered as “White American,” they were the closest group to them. Native Americans came after, and at the bottom were considered Blacks. After

I have read a lot of books on the subject of culture and customs of the country. When I read the book “The Immigrant Advantage” of Claudia Kolker, I understand more about the immigrants’ culture and their lifestyle. Through the book, I found interesting things about all the ideas of immigrants like me. I read each chapter of the book, and in the book I realized there are three very good ideas of marriage, several generations living in the same household, and good neighbors.

In The Immigrant Advantage, Claudia Kolker expresses her opinion on American money clubs, in chapter eight. The author emphasizes points on how to collect money in a Hui. A Hui, basically is an interest free banking system that Vietnamese immigrants take advantage of. Combining a group of individuals monthly payments, allows for free financing among all participants. However, with an increased amount of incentives, also presents the risk for failure and loss of friendship.

In Claudia Kolker’s book The Immigrant Advantage, she talks about the cultural tradition of arranged marriages brought by South Asian immigrants to the United States. Kolker agrues that arranged marriages are much more effective in finding a spouse than traditional marriages. Kolker believes that this tradition of assistive marriage should be adopted by Americans. Research and studies have shown that “women in arranged marriages rated the highest marital status” (Kolker, 71) compared to couples who have arranged marriages. Arranged marriage is great for individuals who are ready to settle down and start their own life without wasting any time finding a partner. Arranged marriage saves a great amount of time on dating people who are not compatible with your personality or beliefs. As Kolker states, assistive marriage does not just save time in finding a lifelong partner but, it also leads to exceptional happiness between the couple than a traditional marriage reported by couples during studies. Traditions brought by immigrants such as, assistive marriage should be considered by American traditions.