Almost a century ago now, my family found themselves immigrants headed for America, a land of freedom, and a land of promise. Some of them "Americanized" their names, and some moved into large communities comprised of people of their own heritage. Some spoke their native language in the home but insisted their children learn English, and others abandoned their native language altogether. Some continued to make homemade ravioli, and others passed up sauerkraut and wiener schnitzel for hot dogs at baseball games. Regardless, they loved their old homes and were faithful to their new. Some relinquished their former identities as citizens of other countries while others saw fit to blend their heritage with the culture of their new country, but all willingly became citizens of the United States of America, bringing to the proverbial table new ideas and even new ways of thinking...or at least new dishes.Today things are different. People still pour into these United States, whether legally or illegally, but the prevailing attitude has changed. They are coming not because they want to -- because they are thrilled to pitch themselves headlong into a new way of life -- but because America is still a land of freedom and promise, and they feel they have no choice. Let me make this clear: they do not want to be here. If they could support their families in their native lands, if they had the potential there to attain what they can here, they would not come. One might be inclined to argue that a hundred years ago, immigrants came for the same reason: they had more opportunity here. That may be true, but back then, they wanted to be here. They loved America -- the IDEA of America -- and looked forward to taking full advantage of everything America had to offer them, intent on becoming Americans.
Today they resent us. We, as Americans, are incredibly oblivious to the fact that most other countries and peoples not only don't like us, they despise us. So imagine being from the war-torn Middle East, loathing and abhorring Americans, and then, in order to feed your family and take advantage of opportunities to worship and live as you see fit, being forced to move to America and live amongst those you loathe. I'm not talking about Mexicans jumping the border here...I'm talking about your East Indian neighbor who attempts to be friendly when you patronize their store...but doesn't quite manage to hide their disgust.
The problem, then, is not necessarily those who come seeking opportunity, though I'm the first to say that if they want to live among us, they'd better learn to find the good in us. The problem is instead, well, us. How often do we hear our people say, "If you don't like it, go back where you came from," when instead we could be saying, "Welcome to America. Those movies you see? We're not all bad, really." Rather than reinforcing their negative opinions, perhaps we could, I don't know...change them?
We are an incredibly prosperous nation. To those less prosperous than us, we are tyrants, and to those more prosperous, we are a joke. (See "Problem: We Aren't as Smart as 5th Graders".) The general view of the Typical American, for those painfully unaware, is as follows: we are uncouth, vulgar, egotistical, self-centered, uneducated, unrefined, uncultured, wealthy, spoiled, Bible-thumping white trash. Imagine the worst possible stereotype of a Texas oil baron visiting Paris in tourist attire, telling the French why Kraft Singles are so much better than their heathen stinky stuff. Then multiply it. Americans.
We have a wonderful land, some spectacular people, and some amazing minds in the good old US of A...and we seldom take advantage of any of it, let alone share it with other nations. We do not educate ourselves, and those that do are forced into 80 hour workweeks without the opportunity to develop their minds and their interests. We are not cultured, and those that are, again, prefer to spend their time abroad or amongst the wealthy upper crust rather than sharing their wealth of experience. Religion falls into extremes: you're not a _________, so you're going to burn in hell vs. I'm offended that you believe in God, so get that cross off my city's seal! We do not speak from understanding...we spit out the first things that come to mind, and often have things to say when we should just listen. (Ask anyone who knows me...I'm guilty as charged.) We have more money than we know what to do with, but complain that it's never enough, and those of us that are starving put iPods before food storage and expect the government to allot us our "entitlements."
Americans have got it good; many, many others do not, and those others are forced (by virtue of their situation and the inability of their own countries to provide opportunities for them to sustain themselves) often to seek refuge and opportunity in a land that can -- and does -- provide...a land inhabited by hosts of happily, comfortably ill-mannered, ill-tempered, ill-informed people. Would you be thrilled by the idea of coming here if it meant that the only way you could feed, clothe, and shelter your children were to (legally) become part of a place and a people you hate?
Solution: Don't tell the whiner at WalMart to go back where he came from. Don't suggest to the Eurosnob on Rodeo Drive that if they don't like it here, they don't have to patronize our BCBG and they can return to the stores in Paris. Instead, look in the mirror and figure out to which of the ugly stereotypes you help contribute. Then change it.
I say "He's like...she's all...they're like..." She's like what? I should have outgrown it a decade or more ago. I am content to not watch the news "because I don't like how ugly the world has become." What? If I don't watch, it's going to go away? I have neither taken a class (basket weaving, anyone?) nor read a classic novel (been meaning to read some Austin) in years now. And perhaps it is time to skip the next Harry Potter flick in favor of a play at UCI, which these days are pretty comparable in price. (Okay, maybe I won't skip HARRY POTTER, but...)
What can you do to change the stereotypes? First, understand where the rest of the world is coming from. Then...take a long hard look at yourself and start with something small. Drop a pebble in the pond and watch those ripples. If we all do it, it'll make a difference...but mostly, it'll make a difference for us, and we can be proud not only of our flag, our founders, and our constitution, but of our people -- today's people -- as well.
Problem solved,
Mommy
2 comments:
I gotta tell you, I don't think I've ever felt quite the way you do on this one. While I can understand that people from other countries may have no other choice than to try and sneak into this country to seek a better life for their family, I feel like they ought to be more grateful for the opportunities that are provided to them (whether legal or illegal... but especially if illegal). The U. S. of America has always been and probably always will be the best place to make something of your life, anything you want really. In years past when the majority of immigrants were coming from European coutries, those who came to become Americans were those who thrived. The people who came without trying to assimilate in any way were those who stayed in relative poverty. They moved into communities and nieghborhoods where their countrymen were prevalent. They didn't need to learn anything new; not language, not business, not culture. They brought their ways and their cultures and kept the American culture out.
The people who became Americans brought their culture and allowed the miracle of the melting pot occur. They became more American, and we became more accustomed to whatever (deliciously fattening) culture they brought in (mmm... Italian).
So while I think it's great that people want to come here, I feel that they should be happier to be here. Because for some people (especially those here illegally) to whine and complain about this country while we are paying for them to be here is rude, if nothing else. It would be like me moving into your house uninvited and complaining that the food sucks in a language that you may not understand. Anyway, I appreciate your view on the subject and I think we should always be more self reflective before casting the stone. Thanks Sis. You rock!!!
You know, I tend to think that the illegals are a different matter altogether. Generally speaking, they're incredibly happy to be here and have slogged through the muck to make it, albeit totally the wrong way. They do not take for granted their, in this case, luck. It's their children who become problematic, not the illegals themselves. I agree, however, that legal immigrants should show gratitude to their newfound country, and many do. Equally as many, though, resent the need to be here in the first place and find it intensely difficult to be grateful...and considering their perception of the people they must live amongst -- the people they have been taught by our movies, our foreign policy, and our individual behaviors to HATE -- it is those upon which I have a hard time infliciting gratitude. I rather think, at least for those who are here legally, because as I mentioned, illegals are a whole different blog entry, that it's more like their parents are unable to provide for them, so they're forced to leave their homes to seek residence with strangers they've been told are horrible people, and though they'll be extremely comfortable, they cannot possibly imagine they can be truly happy living amongst monsters.
I appreciate your acknowledging my point: that it's self-reflection and change that is most important to changing the ideas of foreigners. I'm not all that worried about what illegals think, and don't need to worry about the gratitude level of those who really want to be here. It's the rest of the world whose opinion I'd like to change. Simple enough, right?
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