Summary Of Assimilation American Style

“Peter D. Salins Assimilation, American Style provides his thoughts on the way in which immigrants were assimilated once upon a time and the contributions that they made to the United States. Immigration was something big during the time period in which he grew up, however as time pushes forward immigration is becoming something that has been seemingly misunderstood or misrepresented. Salin piques readers’ interest by suggesting that many American’s have forgotten or possibly “no longer appreciate the value of assimilation” (ix) and what immigrants have to offer in terms of contribution to the United States, also how assimilation has helped to shape the United States as a whole. This means that Americans no longer recognize that assimilation
First Salin discusses A Nation of Immigrants; he then follows that with How Assimilation Actually Works, and lastly Salin brings it home with Getting It Right. Each section deals with the basic principles of assimilation and the possible thoughts that surround the process. A Nation of Immigrants, details how his parents and countless others immigrants came to the United States and with them bought their culture, religions, and language and background principles with them. However in many homes their native tongues were spoken and in many instances they socialized and lived near others mainly from their respective countries; however they were educated along with children from all parts of the world, and it is his belief that they never did not feel, think, or believe that they were not Americans.
The immigrants actually reveled in the idea and loved their place amongst the other Americans just as the immigrants during the eighteenth century. They too reveled in the idea of being an American and were even urged to become a United States Citizen with a few rules/guidelines that they had to adhere too. In a sense what he is saying is that assimilation has been the United States secret weapon, whereas it diffuses ethnical conflict because assimilation is about unity, bringing together everyone from
This group would much rather see things in terms of separatism, rather than working together in unity. Until we secure the racial balance, the ethnic issue will pose a threat to the effectiveness of assimilation. Since 1995, Congress has been deliberating on the policy in reference to immigration laws which cause rise to four issues that concern immigration as a whole. They include (1) how many immigrants to admits into the U.S.; (2) whom to admit; (3) dealing with illegal immigrants; and (4) treatment of immigrants once granted permission to enter the U.S. (199). Although considering these major factors, this does not deal with the main problem which is rooted in the minds of Americans. Again without working together, it would not really matter what is done. The ever present fact that remains is that changing the minds of Americans is what it would take in order to get things back to the main purpose of assimilation; and that would be working together in