Who’s assimilating?
From the indispensable Manhattan Institute: Your lunchtime read.
Read the entire report. There’s some good news and not-so-good news. A few nuggets:
* Newly arrived immigrants of the early 21st century have assimilation index values lower than the newly arrived immigrants of the early 20th century. Growth in the immigrant population usually lowers the assimilation index because newly arrived immigrants drag down the average for the group as a whole. This phenomenon can be seen between 1900 and 1920 and again in the 1980s. The stability of the assimilation index since 1990 is therefore remarkable in light of the rapid growth of the immigrant population, which doubled between 1990 and 2006.
* Immigrants of the past quarter-century have assimilated more rapidly than their counterparts of a century ago, even though they are more distinct from the native population upon arrival. The increase in the rate of assimilation among recently arrived immigrants explains why the overall index has remained stable, even though the immigrant population has grown rapidly.
* Yet the current level of assimilation remains lower than it was at any point during the early 20th century wave of immigration.
And to go along with the read, here’s one of my favorite old Schoolhouse Rock vids, “The Great American Melting Pot:”
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So coming to a country illegally hurts some of your social mobility. Who would have thought?
It should block all opportunities.
at first glance, our closest neighbors to the south don’t seem to be cooperating with the United States of America and our way way of life.
Assimilation my ass. They seem more intent on La Raza (THE RACE) or Reconquista than becoming an American citizen.
back to lunchtime reading……
They put all their effort into beating the system instead, and getting away with it.
It also has a bit to with the fact America abandoned the single citizen policy. Muslims remain citizens of their home countries, Mexicans vote in Mexican elections, etc. Commit a crime in America? No problem Use your Turkish Passport and go home. No jail, no extradition. Murder some one in America> American goes to death chamber, Mexican has a few more privileges.
This is just racist and wrong. In the words of Bill Clinton, “How dare you!”
You can’t have “assimilation” or “pluralism” at the same time as “multiculturalism” and “diversity.” This is especially true when it’s only the latter two that are being taught to society.
That was interesting reading. Thanks for the link.
And Schoolhouse Rocks!, well, yes, yes it does.
That’s pretty shocking about Eastern Indians.
The sheer number of immigrants–legal and illegal–has created a large ethnically divided base which makes assimilation less of a value. Why learn English, for example, when 35-40 million speak Spanish as their first language. No real need to go the extra mile to learn a new culture.
If we’re gonna show some schoolhouse rock, we should show it to the candidates, just in case they dont get it.
Next up for them…How a Bill Becomes a Law (i think thats the title, but i remember the video from when i was a kid)
It is clear that Mexico leads the anti-assimilation crowd. I have to conclude that Cubans and Dominicans don’t have La Raza leading them astray.
On May 15th, 2008 at 12:03 pm, Regulus said:
Well said. The duplicitous thinking and policies of liberals is mind boggling. Just like the conservation orgs (Sierra club) who bemoan global warming, loss of habitat, pollution, species extinction, etc, then in the next sentence say they support masss immigration and amensty. Excuse me, but the higher the population the worse things get in terms of pollution, etc. They push and enact policies which are totally at odds with the ends desired.
#6 and #12. hear, hear. I have nothing else to add.
Schoolhouse Rock ROCKS! After watching the vid, I have no desire to upset myself by reading the article.
Thanks for the memories!
Conjunction junction what’s your function? LAAALLLAALALLALAA
I would conclude that Cubans and Dominicans are much like the Irish who are proud of their families ancestrial heritage but do not let it define them and instead embrace the country their ancestors moved to for liberty and the persuit.
Others would rather divide and conquer, and those are the ones we should be fighting at every corner to shut down their racist agenda.
PBS would never show this any more. It doesn’t represent multiculturalism as liberals define it.
Weary, that was a good post. However, understanding the bigger point you were trying to make, does the Sierra Club really support increased immigration to the US? Doesn’t sound right to me.
Succinct. Perfectly stated.
Democrats refuse to uphold immigration laws, and malleable Republicans follow along because our indigenous populations have stopped breeding, and the demographics of our entitlement programs require breeders, so we import Mexicans, just as the socialist cesspools of Europe are importing Muslim breeders to feed theirs.
But that’s okay because anyone who notices will be called “fascist”.
tnull
Schoolhouse Rock brings back a lot of good memories. Thanks.
alaskangrizzly #15
Exactly! La Raza’s purpose is to divide and conquer. As part of the reconquista movement they claim the same old line over and over again until the masses believe the lie. That lie is that “The border crossed us and we did not cross it.” Do Salvadorians claim it? What is their excuse for not assimilating?
While Cubans and Dominicans gladly become part the melting pot, Mexicans and Salvadorians clearly are not.
This is only an anecdotal sign from one small Iowa town a county away from my home. It has a meat packing plant which has attracted many hispanic workers. As soon as they can, they buy or rent middle class appearing homes.
They plant flowers and mow their lawns, sometimes under the influence of a group of elders, the first comers. They watch over the community and if they see trouble like incipient gangs, they tell the parents to watch their kids better.
My guess is most of those folks oppose illegal immigration as much as most US citizens do.
Another cost of illegals we don’t hear about as often as we should is identity theft. Illegal aliens may be caught, released and caught again while the origional victims face months or years of credit repair.
Hmmmm interesting. I have some comments.
It seems to me assimilation rates reflect the “middleclassness” of any particular group. That is, the more educated you are, the more you can fit in. Isn’t it interesting how some ethnic groups that are clearly different than Anglos (often coming from “Eastern” traditions), are not constantly at odds with us unlike “Latinos” and some African Americans Or Muslims? Why is this?
I was surprised to hear about Indians. I have had limited experience with them but to me, they are a positive addition for the most part. Me and my friend went to Little India and they were so warm, friendly, sweet. They seem to have good values. I often think it’s their spiritual traditions that make them this way. I can think of some great Indians who have benefitted America…Deepak Chopra, Dinesh D’Sousa and Yogananda. All great men.
It is true Mexicans are at the bottom…too many of them don’t have the same level of civic mindedness, just concerned about what’s in it for them. I think this reflects their low education overall, and dare I say, intelligence?
What brings me hope is to see so many immigrants be great patriots or have good values, often more patriotic than native born Americans. I take ballet and it is extremely diverse. It is heartening to see that the whole class, whether being Asian (many asians), black, Mexican or whatever…they all appreciate this art very much. Ballet is the epitome of traditional European culture, that says something. They are good kids for the most part and appreciate hard work and good values.
Especially when accomodated by government and business interests which allow them to continue to use spanish instead of encouraging them to learn and use english.
Much of Los Angeles will be completely dominated by a spanish speaking majority within a few short years as long as immigration patterns continue unchanged. Spanish language advertising is becoming prevalant. No need to use english when that language will simply cease to exist, as is now the case in some L.A. suburbs.
On May 15th, 2008 at 12:27 pm, dakine said:
Here are a couple of places. If you google “sierra club immigrant amnesty” you will get a lot of stuff. There is rift on this subject in the org. However, as with the political parties, there was a coup by the lefties and policies shifted (also, the lefties hurling racism around did not hurt either).But during the amnesty debates in 2006, the Sierra club leaders sided with the amensty pushers. I remember because I always tacitly sided with their cause for conservation (though they go to far too often), but after that I realized they care more about power and influence than conservation. But ask yourself this logical question. If this org truly wanted to improve the environment, they would be the LOUDEST and most vehement supporters of immigriaotn reductions. With their $ and influence, it would make waves. But have you heard them say that? Nope.
http://www.newswithviews.com/DeWeese/tom3.htm
http://www.issues-views.com/index.php/sect/21000/article/21075
I love schoolhouse Rock. It is a shame that after all these years they haven’t come up with anything as good.
I learned about how DC works with the ‘I’m just a bill’ one.
It would appear, at lesst since the ’70’s, the Sierra Club leadership has veered away from the club’s orignal intent, and is at least as left, if not moreso, as the Democratic leadership. Pure elitists at the top, parroting Democratic talking points on the issues.
They have no clue that they can’t save or preserve the wilderness by ignoring rampant immigration, illegal AND legal.
What’s that old joke - What is the definition of a Sierra Club member? - someone who got his/her cabin in the mountains first.
The Sierra Club (the leftist Wilderness Society as well) would just work to make sure the wilderness would be the exclusive playground of the dues paying elites when it comes to that.
Michelle, You had me at ‘Schoolhouse Rock.’
I was a sucker for “Conjunction Junction, whats your function.”
I beleive the correct answer is “hooking up words and phrases and clauses”
A good way to define the chasm between some liberals and conservatives regarding the subject of assimilation:
When David Dinkins, quite possibly the worst NYC executive to ever sit in Gracie Mansion, tried to redefine America as a “gorgeous mosaic” and not a melting pot.
He was trying to insinuate that America’s strength is not through cultural assimilation, but rather that America is strong because of the “gorgeous” richness of all the world’s cultures.
I think he was just courting the gay vote.
#29 said:
You are correct, sir!
Mexicans are low on the assimilation totem pole because they don’t want to! “They” (the ones who do not assimilate) want the job and the money to send home. Period. No ties to bind them to the American way of life. No long-term goals. When the well runs dry, they will leave. Interestingly, but not surprising, the top of the list (i read the article in USA Today) of those most easily assimilated into the US were FILIPINOS.
With exception to Canada, the Filipinos are kicking everybody’s ass!!!
I’m proud of them.
Me too. That was when classes were in English and we said the Pledge of Allegiance every morning.
Funny, with all the discussion about BHO mis-quoting the Preamble to the Constitution yesterday, I was thinking that on the Schoolhouse Rock Constitution song, the phrase “of the United States” is not sung. Maybe that is where he learned the Constitution, which explains why he can be for so many unconstitutional programs/policies.
Tinikling. Gorrila Joe? My ankles hurt just thinking about it! You can’t force assimilation. One must desire to be an AMERICAN. Hypenated American? Only one generation of those can EVER exist. My daughter is Filipino-American. Her momma is Filipina, I am an American. Jingle is Filipino-American. Her children will be American.
Soliel-
There’s no need for that. It’s fine if you say they’re less educated, but the intelligence stuff gives other people around here a bad name.
#33 jose said:
No surprise, Filipino(a)s are some of the hardest working, freedom loving peeps out there. I consider them as “west coast” Americans for the most part.
I know that they love America for many reasons. The whole General MacArthur thing doesn’t hurt either!
I think part of the assimilation equation is cultural. The “Machismo” culture of latinos causes them to reject being assimilated into the “whitey” culture of the U.S.
Re: The Sierra Club, the dichotomy on this one is fascinating. The Sierra Club leadership is rabidly pro-immigrant, legal and illegal, which has a devastating long term affect on our environment. The term “conservative” in the Republican party seems to have no relationship to conservation of the environment. Some factions within the GOP are rabidly pro-business, regardless of impact on the environment (It’s one of the main reasons I won’t sign on to the Republican party).
Doing the “Assimilating” Americans won’t do. Alright, you caught me: carjacking and not Assibilating. Link contains video.
Bluesoc
Didn’t mean to be rude at all. I think the idea that civic mindedness is related to intelligence is true. From some countries we are getting the best and brightest, from others not so much.
Anyway, about the Sierra Club issue. What happened is that they got a 100 million dollar donation from a donor who said “if you say no to immigration, then I will give no more”. Most of the club wanted to work for population control but they were filibusted by this donation. I am sure more info is available online.
Soliel-
Thanks for clarifying. Hope I didn’t come off as too accusatory.
Los Angeles will be the new Carthage.
My wife is Indonesian and has assimilated quite well. In fact, she loves the U.S., and probably knows more about U.S. history than the average citizen. Her Indonesian friends are of the same mold. They are the type of immigrants, conservatives would love…and liberals would despise.
Not to go off the topic TOO much but if you’re gonna show the candidates School House Rock videos, make sure they see the one called “No More King” that goes “That’s called ‘Taxation without representation’ and it’s not fair” and make sure those rumrunners, the kennedys (*spit*), see that one especially.
TEEEEEEEJ
Hit me over the head Mexico and El Salvador the lowest go figure!
Sorry forgot to add if you look at the graph it clearly indicates assimilation by education levels……which countries are overflowing our borders with unskilled/uneducated immigrants?
Living in South Texas, it does not surprise me one bit who is at the bottom. There are plenty of help here to learn English - the fact is they don’t want to.
Almost 50% of households in California do not speak English at home. It’s Latinos, yes, but many, many different people from Asia or the M. East or Far East also add to the mix. In the hallways of my colllege, I hear mostly non-English.
Think of what that means for education, voting, etc.
It’s no longer assimilation, it’s the Balkans.
Now, now Pat, it’s tolerance and diversity. Maybe you should learn Spanish, Hindi and Arabic. We might hurt their feelings if we try and teach them English.
Such is the attitude of California today, and I can also see they threw out the ban on gay marriage.
That is a most sinful, un-American act.
When I was in college in Tampa, we had a lot of migrant workers come through the area (Plant City & their strawberry crop) and in a few of my classes we could volunteer to teach English at night. Well, one woman came every week but that was it.
A year later I was teaching at a school with a large portion of immigrants (thus the TB that I contracted) and I asked the principal about doing English lessons for the parents. He laughed and said something about they won’t have to learn English, we’re all going to be expected to learn Spanish. That was nearly 20 years ago and he was right.
I loved School House Rock!
On May 15th, 2008 at 2:04 pm, cicerokid said:
I daresay that anyone really intent on assimilating will either be a (for example) American-African or simply an American. They have to decide. Otherwise, it is springtime in the Balkans.
With all deference, it is really only the hispanics that are making the issue. Indians, Asians, Russians, various European etc., all seem to be able to grasp English after a short while.
In the meantime, I am treated to Spanish announcements at Sears, Spanish/English directions on almost everything I buy etc.
I don’t think it is an intelligence issue, as I know some particularly intelligent (English speaking) hispanics, but more of a laziness or “hey, we are going to overwhelm you in numbers, so learn Spanish” attitude.
Of course, this will simply relegate these people to lower paid, unskilled jobs, for which they will blame us.
Win/win for them, lose/lose for us. And by “us,” I mean all assimilated English speaking Americans.