It has been about three weeks since I started this project. When I started digging into this topic, I was simply trying to find answers to my problem. I was looking for a way to maybe answer my questions about accepting the American culture. I wondered if I was looked as different or am I only one who thinks that way. Am I an American yet ? I found answers to some of my questions but many are yet to be answered. I was surprised to find that everything I was looking for was available online. I started my research from the article by Perry Skerry who identified some themes in assimilation process. That became the basis of my research. I looked into several aspects of social, political and economic assimilation of immigrants.
There were times when I did not have a topic to write. There were times when I wanted to read the journals but they were too long to be read at 2 am. However, the sources I read gave me a broader perspective on the issue of assimilation. For example, the Pew Research Center’s survey on social trends are the most interesting statistics. Not only were they useful but very up to date that made it a very power source. It was also surprising to see the numbers of first generation immigrants not thinking of themselves as typical Americans. I knew a lot of people who do not identify themselves as American unlike me but I wasn’t aware they would be in a majority. Surprisingly one of the sources(“We Will Hunt Them Down”) in my very last article changed the my entire line of inquiry. Until my last blog I tried to see look at trends among immigrants. I tried to learn about the assimilation process and how are immigrants assimilating into the American society. If I had more time I would do more research on the trends among native Americans today regarding assimilation of immigrants. I did touch a little on that subject but I do not believe it was enough. Moreover, I learned quite a lot during this research process. I always thought I was a very excellent researcher. However, this project showed me that I might be very wrong. I had a vast amount of knowledge available online but it was tough to extract what I needed to write my blog. The synthesis of the research and my opinion was the hardest process of this project. I believe I am somewhat confident in my search now. Next I plan on researching the societal backlash to the assimilation of immigrants.
As in my last blog I mentioned the problem with the idea of assimilation. Until SDO and RWA are playing a factor in the society, I would be difficult for immigrants to choose between assimilation or non assimilation. If you know there is someone out there who is not happy with either of your choices because you are a foreigner it does not make you feel very welcomed. I suppose this is why many first generation Americans are hesitant to call themselves Americans. I think the first step toward solving this problem should be the acknowledgment that everyone has the freedom to live their life the way they want especially in this country. Assimilation and non assimilation should be a choice not a necessity. Neither should be considered bad or good because that will eventually lead to extreme support for the one that is supported by the political landscape. It is also important to note that political involvement has a lot of affect on this process and vice versa. Those who are assimilating tend to be more politically involved and when political involvement decreases policies either hinder the assimilation process or try to force assimilation immigrants. Hence the most important audience for this case would be the young generation.
Today’s college students are going to be the next leaders of this country. They will be making the immigration policies for this country. They will be the ones running this country and they need to be informed. In every presidential elections the campaigns focus on the middle aged eligible voters because of the same reasons. Furthermore, with the help of social media and technology our generation has the best tools for political mobilization, the most important aspect of this issue. Hence the issue of assimilation is in the hands of those who are independent, liberating and full of energy.
There were times when I did not have a topic to write. There were times when I wanted to read the journals but they were too long to be read at 2 am. However, the sources I read gave me a broader perspective on the issue of assimilation. For example, the Pew Research Center’s survey on social trends are the most interesting statistics. Not only were they useful but very up to date that made it a very power source. It was also surprising to see the numbers of first generation immigrants not thinking of themselves as typical Americans. I knew a lot of people who do not identify themselves as American unlike me but I wasn’t aware they would be in a majority. Surprisingly one of the sources(“We Will Hunt Them Down”) in my very last article changed the my entire line of inquiry. Until my last blog I tried to see look at trends among immigrants. I tried to learn about the assimilation process and how are immigrants assimilating into the American society. If I had more time I would do more research on the trends among native Americans today regarding assimilation of immigrants. I did touch a little on that subject but I do not believe it was enough. Moreover, I learned quite a lot during this research process. I always thought I was a very excellent researcher. However, this project showed me that I might be very wrong. I had a vast amount of knowledge available online but it was tough to extract what I needed to write my blog. The synthesis of the research and my opinion was the hardest process of this project. I believe I am somewhat confident in my search now. Next I plan on researching the societal backlash to the assimilation of immigrants.
As in my last blog I mentioned the problem with the idea of assimilation. Until SDO and RWA are playing a factor in the society, I would be difficult for immigrants to choose between assimilation or non assimilation. If you know there is someone out there who is not happy with either of your choices because you are a foreigner it does not make you feel very welcomed. I suppose this is why many first generation Americans are hesitant to call themselves Americans. I think the first step toward solving this problem should be the acknowledgment that everyone has the freedom to live their life the way they want especially in this country. Assimilation and non assimilation should be a choice not a necessity. Neither should be considered bad or good because that will eventually lead to extreme support for the one that is supported by the political landscape. It is also important to note that political involvement has a lot of affect on this process and vice versa. Those who are assimilating tend to be more politically involved and when political involvement decreases policies either hinder the assimilation process or try to force assimilation immigrants. Hence the most important audience for this case would be the young generation.
Today’s college students are going to be the next leaders of this country. They will be making the immigration policies for this country. They will be the ones running this country and they need to be informed. In every presidential elections the campaigns focus on the middle aged eligible voters because of the same reasons. Furthermore, with the help of social media and technology our generation has the best tools for political mobilization, the most important aspect of this issue. Hence the issue of assimilation is in the hands of those who are independent, liberating and full of energy.