Immigrants should practice their cultural backgrounds and heritage because America is a melting pot, immigrants have much to offer, and America is all about being unique. Many of our citizens tend to believe that if someone migrates to America, then that person needs to be a carbon copy of the people in this country and do everything we do, have the same interests, or have the same religion. But what makes America so great is the freedom we are given to make our own choices, such as choosing a religion, making opinions, and having distinct and personal interests.
The Harlem Renaissance was a time when black pride was highest and creativity arose in the their community (Beckman). That minority group was able to express themselves through their art, music, and literature once they were free. Reed, the former Professor of Black Studies at the University of Chicago, says that “True creativity is what flowed during freedom” (Turner). That supports the idea that freedom expands the limits for people in society. Migration was a huge part in African Americans finally reaching their freedom. Large amounts of former slaves from the South got the chance to escape life’s oppression from there by moving to the North, where freedom and opportunity was a reality (Anja). Harlem was also an extremely convenient place for the black citizens since it was the epicenter of the majority of American culture enterprises. This setting made close interaction easy for black artists, white artists, wealthy patrons, and established professionals (Anja). The two races finally had something they could connect on, and this period in time revealed the potential African Americans have always had. The Harlem Renaissance showed both African Americans and whites the differentness black art, music, and literature held (Jackson). So, only when their art is accepted and respected for their own special culture can genuine equality follow (Bodden). Besides all of the things African Americans or immigrants have achieved, others believe it is still not enough. …show more content…
Trevor Wagener, a junior in the Conservative Party, gave a speech in the affirmative. “Those who take pride in their American heritage, however, see a threat both to the American political stability and enlightened American ideals from unassimilated immigrants.” (Union). Assimilating is hard work, so it can not be expected at the snap of someone’s fingers. Immigrants have come to a new land, and have left many memories back in their homeland. Celebrating their cultural backgrounds is a big example. They have have grown up with personal habits, and those are hard to forget. To support that idea, multiculturalists argue that immigrants have their own cultures and cannot be demanded or expected to completely change how they live or their attitudes about the world surrounding them just because their address has changed (Union). Furthermore, America’s origin started with a variety of backgrounds and ethnicities. It is commonly known as the “melting pot”, which is a well fitted name due to its diversity. In 2000, a census was taken, which showed many backgrounds in America such as Germans, Dutch, Native Americans, African Americans, English, Finnish, French, Irish, Hispanics, Italians, and many more living here (Jerreat). Our immigrants should not be required to culturally assimilate, but instead politically assimilate. This means they should embrace the American democracy principles, understand U.S. history, and be able to communicate in English. However, this does not mean give up their native language (Gjelten). Voting in elections and fulfilling civic responsibilities is a small requirement with many rewards. With all of the different heritages that started this country, new immigrants should not be deprived of U.S. rights when they move here. Newcomers to this country cannot be refused rights based on their ethnic, religious, or political group (Gjelten). Another reason assimilation should not be required is that immigrants have much to offer to our country. Latinos have accomplished a lot in America, and have also greatly advanced in education. Since 1993, the number of Hispanics ages 18-24 enrolled in a two-four year college has more than tripled (Krogstad). Our workforce is greatly dominated by them in certain industries. As a result of attending college for an education, Latinos hold one of the highest number of jobs in multiple industries (“Employed . . .”). To
The Harlem Renaissance was a time when black pride was highest and creativity arose in the their community (Beckman). That minority group was able to express themselves through their art, music, and literature once they were free. Reed, the former Professor of Black Studies at the University of Chicago, says that “True creativity is what flowed during freedom” (Turner). That supports the idea that freedom expands the limits for people in society. Migration was a huge part in African Americans finally reaching their freedom. Large amounts of former slaves from the South got the chance to escape life’s oppression from there by moving to the North, where freedom and opportunity was a reality (Anja). Harlem was also an extremely convenient place for the black citizens since it was the epicenter of the majority of American culture enterprises. This setting made close interaction easy for black artists, white artists, wealthy patrons, and established professionals (Anja). The two races finally had something they could connect on, and this period in time revealed the potential African Americans have always had. The Harlem Renaissance showed both African Americans and whites the differentness black art, music, and literature held (Jackson). So, only when their art is accepted and respected for their own special culture can genuine equality follow (Bodden). Besides all of the things African Americans or immigrants have achieved, others believe it is still not enough. …show more content…
Trevor Wagener, a junior in the Conservative Party, gave a speech in the affirmative. “Those who take pride in their American heritage, however, see a threat both to the American political stability and enlightened American ideals from unassimilated immigrants.” (Union). Assimilating is hard work, so it can not be expected at the snap of someone’s fingers. Immigrants have come to a new land, and have left many memories back in their homeland. Celebrating their cultural backgrounds is a big example. They have have grown up with personal habits, and those are hard to forget. To support that idea, multiculturalists argue that immigrants have their own cultures and cannot be demanded or expected to completely change how they live or their attitudes about the world surrounding them just because their address has changed (Union). Furthermore, America’s origin started with a variety of backgrounds and ethnicities. It is commonly known as the “melting pot”, which is a well fitted name due to its diversity. In 2000, a census was taken, which showed many backgrounds in America such as Germans, Dutch, Native Americans, African Americans, English, Finnish, French, Irish, Hispanics, Italians, and many more living here (Jerreat). Our immigrants should not be required to culturally assimilate, but instead politically assimilate. This means they should embrace the American democracy principles, understand U.S. history, and be able to communicate in English. However, this does not mean give up their native language (Gjelten). Voting in elections and fulfilling civic responsibilities is a small requirement with many rewards. With all of the different heritages that started this country, new immigrants should not be deprived of U.S. rights when they move here. Newcomers to this country cannot be refused rights based on their ethnic, religious, or political group (Gjelten). Another reason assimilation should not be required is that immigrants have much to offer to our country. Latinos have accomplished a lot in America, and have also greatly advanced in education. Since 1993, the number of Hispanics ages 18-24 enrolled in a two-four year college has more than tripled (Krogstad). Our workforce is greatly dominated by them in certain industries. As a result of attending college for an education, Latinos hold one of the highest number of jobs in multiple industries (“Employed . . .”). To