2) I found a particular quote from this essay very interesting. "We [Americans] act as if we wanted Americanization to take place only on our own terms, and not by the consent of the governed (101)." Can you think of any modern examples of this?
3) According to Bourne, what is America's relationship with England? How does he feel about this relationship?
4) How are the Early colonists similar to the immigrants of this time? How are they different?
5) How has the ruling class treated immigrants? Why does Bourne believe that this is the wrong approach?
6) Bourne uses the South to justify his argument. What is his argument? How does the South as an example prove his point? (pg 103)
7) What does Bourne fear will happen to immigrants in America? Do you think his fears have become reality?
8) Is Bourne in favor of Nationalism? Why or why not?
1) Bourne does not believe the concept of the "melting pot" is a real occurrence in America, or a legitimate strategy Americanize immigrants. He interpets the "melting pot" as a way to force immigrants to completely assimiliate into American culture -- a dangerous and unnecessary endeavor.
ReplyDelete4) The Early colonists, like the newer immigrants were looking to incorporate their culture and roots into American culture to richen their lives. They did not intend to fully assimilate, but instead hold on to values and practices of their "mother country." However, Bourne criticizes the Early colonists for maintaining a conservative way of living and thinking that prohibits modernization, while the countries they left (ie: England) were becoming more and more progressive.
5)Bourne sees the ruling class as heavily influenced Anglo-Saxons who ideals are very similar to those of Britain. Because they are the majority, they are able to force minority immigrants into adapting a life that is "American." Bourne believes this is the wrong approach because America is suppose to be a melting pot of different types of ethnicities and immigrants. Instead America has become an Anglo-Saxon dominant dictatorship wearing the mask of democracy.
ReplyDelete2) When people choose to leave their homeland it's for the American Dream, usually. They are aware of American values and beliefs already and are excited to start a new life. With the issue of language, for a first generation immigrant its always much harder but I believe if you are in America you should be able to learn English. For the second generation it def. gets easier, but if you come to America you have to adapt a new lifestyle to a new Country and language is a part of that.
ReplyDelete4) Like the early colonists, immigrants also did not entirely know what to expect when coming to this new Country. They were new and both adapted to a new environment and a new way of life. What makes these two groups different is that the colonist overtook the land and became more powerful in the decision making process. The majority ended up becoming the minority while with the immigrants that usually wasn't the case.
4) Early colonists as well as immigrants in general came to America seeking a new life different from the ones they left. Wether they left their pervious countries for different reasons, they all saw this new land as a chance to lead a better life then the one they lived. The American dream is a dream that adepts to anyone that comes to the US in search of a more prosperous life. Unlike the immigrants the colonists governed themselves, and set up their own governing institutions which benefited the lives they wanted to live. They founded a country with “uncivilized peoples” (the Native Americans) that occupied the land they deemed was unnecessary for the Natives and called it there own. Immigrants are coming into a country with established laws, and a set culture. They unlike the colonists could not over take the land they migrated to and change it. Immigrants were (still are) constantly being forced to assimilate to a established nation, and put their own culture/ beliefs/religions on the back burner. If these immigrants wanted to reach the American dream ( live a life better then the one they lived, with the traditional house white picketed fence etc..) Then assimilation is a must. Colonists were never expected to assimilate, they were expected to rule by there own means.
ReplyDelete2) I believe that many immigrants chose to come to America, because it is the "land of the free", it is provided with hope, job oppertunity, education, relgion etc. I think that the immigrants know that when they come to America they will be "americanized".I mainly think that most immigrants come to America to have more freedom of dress, and relgion personally, although they will still keep their tradations, they feel that now being in a free country, they could have more choices. The one thing that I do however believe the should be familiar with is the English langauge.
ReplyDelete2) When I read this question the first thing that comes to mind as an example is our rights to freedom of speech. All Americans know that we have this but only to a certain extent. We can write or say anything but sometimes there's a price to pay because things aren't always proper or can have a double meaning. Like when you get arrested you are told "you have the right to remain silent; anything you say or do will be held against you in a court of law" (or something like this) so right here is an example of how we are given this 'right' but it can be taken away instantaneously; so I guess we want to be Americanized but it has to be done with limitations for the safety of other Americans. And especially in todays society everything you say or do really has to be properly thought through because you can easily get sued or even arrested or ticketed.
ReplyDelete