Posted by
Grace M. Alvarez on Wednesday, October 29, 2008 1:49:09 PM
From my perspective of a first generation American, born in the mid 20's, I have some observations to share. First, my generation born to immigrant parents were taught to honor, respect and be loyal to the United States of America --- that included the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem. Regardless of the country of origin, the pride in being Americans was instilled in us. The Fourth of July was a big deal - and not just because of the celebrations.
For my parents, (Father born in Texas - Mother in Mexico)the "old country" was a nostalgic memory of stories to pass on to the younger generation. It was the place of our parents' and grandparents' birth - not ours. We had no indoctrination in the "old ways". For thousands of immigrants of my parents' era and before, those who chose to make the U.S. their permanent home wanted to embrace all that this country offered. That meant integration - full integration - into the customs, traditions and practices of the United States. Did they (immigrants) keep some old traditions? Of course, and to this country's credit we did combine many old traditions into our American culture.
I believe that the "new immigrant" who stays within his/her own community creating segregated communities is being disenfranchised. Some of those people never venture out among the general American populace. Either they have no interest, or they have been led to believe that they do not "belong". Whatever the reason, this is the beginning of the dissolution of the melting pot that made our country strong. It is currently held together by what the mainstream media feeds the public, for the most part "celebrating diversity" - which, in my opinion, is code for keeping a segment of our socity separated from the mainstream. In so doing, there are factions that control these separated people - promising them all and in the end giving them zip.
America, the dream - as Ben Franklin put it, "you have a Republic, if you can keep it."Can we? Or is it too late? I pray not.