A learned colleague and I landed up discussing the
Immigration and assimilation. Of course, the context is The United States of
America. The setting where this discussion took place was on a man-made Navy
island in the deep south state of Mississippi.
Unspoken / undefined expectation of Assimilation by the natives and mostly oblivious immigrants about this expectation are something like these:
It all started with a complement from my esteemed colleague
(a 3rd Generation European American) saying “Not many 1st
generation immigrants can communicate and articulate as well as you do”. My
response was long but in short – "I had an opportunity to work for consulting
industry where I had no choice but to engage with individuals from many parts of the
world and many walks of life."
As it goes – you become what you do (consume) and get exposed to.The abilities
are result of one's exposure to the America and what they do.
That triggered a common complaint “Immigrants should assimilate”. The response was my story and then some, about the immigration and
immigrants: here in a very summarized write-up:
I came to USA to make money, with a goal to go back in 2-3 years. With an early assumption, that there is
no way this (money) can last and that, what else USA can offer beyond
money.
These two aspects of the thought process – 1. Goal to make more
money and 2. “what else the America can offer more than my own country” defines
majority of immigrants, at the beginning. Many continue with this exact same feeling even after multiple decades! :(
A primary objective of any immigrant as they land in USA is
to get settled. It is easier to do so when you can communicate easily, and in
many cases, preferably using your own language.
A human tendency is to do what is easier. That drives
immigrants to communities where they find people from their own countries /
regions. Italians to Brooklyn, Indians to Jackson Heights, Rich people to upper
east side and so on.
Point being “assimilation” is not even on their “To-Do”.
That is not something that immigrants perceive of any value. Unless they must
work in an industry like consulting, that some of us do.
I did shorten a longer debate that we had, but hoping that it could drive the point home, that “expectation of assimilation” is one very
misplaced expectation and measure that is, in lack of better words, a
“self-inflicted wound”. Immigrants have no idea that locals expect assimilation and locals have no idea that
assimilation is least of immigrant’s problems.
Unspoken / undefined expectation of Assimilation by the natives and mostly oblivious immigrants about this expectation are something like these:
Having said that - Assimilation definitely has a value and should be nurtured. May be a better approach (or question) would be to think “What
can WE, the natives of America, do, that help an immigrant value assimilation that they can benefit from." In turn we all will be happier and assimilated.
Is there a solution? – yes, there are many: one idea that may help: every new immigrant (or Non-Immigrant) should
be introduced to Volunteering. Introduce a requirement for all new residents of
USA that they should spend 40 hours (as an example) in their first year,
participating in any volunteer opportunity of their choice. Upon completion of doing
so they should be celebrated and awarded somehow.
How? - Someone smarter than I, would sure have a solution or two.
Let us add Assimilation on OUR "To-Do".
Immigrants must assimilate! With whom?
ReplyDeleteIt is like owners of business expecting his workers, who are contractor's employees, must demonstrate ownership.
"I do not own them, but they must work as if they own the business."
It is same in regard to immigrants. We will treat you like second class, but you must be first class citizens.
No offence meant. My conclusions could be wrong.