No, I'm saying they need to be integrated into society, but not pressured to abandon their cultural uniqueness - to become "assimilated" such that they lose their cultural identity. In the US, immigrant groups today do tend to stick together - to live in the same neighborhoods, put native language signs on their neighborhood businesses (usually with English as well, depending on local laws), etc. - but they are fairly well integrated politically and economically (based mostly on my experience in the Atlanta area, anyway), and few people seem to see them as any kind of cultural threat. There are exceptions, of course - there are racist morons everywhere - but I think most people see immigrant groups' cultural uniqueness as adding to the overall "color" of the greater American culture.
Over time and generations, they tend to become more "American", but usually with their own cultural identity still apparent. Meanwhile, the rest of us get to absorb a little bit of their culture, too. Foods, music, arts, sports, etc.
In any case, if either they don't become economically and politically integrated fairly quickly or if they are pressured to abandon their culture (as in the head scarf fiasco, for example), then they may become "unruly", as you put it.
The only cultural pressure we need apply, IMO, is for immigrants to adopt the language - beyond the home and family, that is. It is very difficult for them to become politically and economically integrated if they won't adopt the language. That's more difficult for older folks, of course, so grandmom may not ever learn English, but kids must and their parents need to or they will be at a severe disadvantage.
BTW, my son's elementary school hangs flags in the cafeteria for all the countries represented in the student body. Hung a couple of feet apart, they circle the entire cafeteria. When my son was in kindergarten or 1st grade, his 5th grade "reading buddy" was from Brasil.
On a related note - a bit of trivia - I read somewhere that metro Atlanta has more Brasilian restaurants than any other city outside of Brasil, except for LA. Whodda thunk it?
PS: You wouldn't like them - they're mostly churascarias (sp?). ;-) |
