Re:Poll: How many generations removed from immigration are you?
by mechanical_fish on Sunday July 05, 2009 @09:52AM
(#688218)
The thinking in the USA seems to be that either you're an immigrant or you're not, with no distinction between the variation of cultures.
That's the ideal in some of the USA, but it's by no means the historical norm. The traditional thinking in the USA has always been that either you're an immigrant from Awesome Culture X or Y, and therefore the salt of the earth, or you're from Despised Culture Z or Q, and therefore a dangerous foreign influence that needs to be controlled.
The darkly amusing feature of our culture is the routine reshuffling of the categories.
Re:Poll: How many generations removed from immigration are you?
by idlewords on Sunday July 05, 2009 @09:00AM
(#688186)
There are a number of countries besides the US that self-identify as "built by immigrants". Canada, Israel, and Australia come to mind. And in the United States too, there is a world of difference between being a Mexican, Dutch or Canadian immigrant. Like many big life changes, immigration is lived differently by everyone, but everyone will tend to look at the broad phenomenon through the lens of their own experience. Spoken as an Eastern European who moved to the states in childhood...
Re:Poll: How many generations removed from immigration are you?
by jballanc on Sunday July 05, 2009 @02:51PM
(#688572)
From what my wife tells me, you should add Turkey to that list too.
Re:Poll: How many generations removed from immigration are you?
by scott_s on Sunday July 05, 2009 @10:28AM
(#688255)
It is USA centric. But the value of the exercise, to me, is to appreciate how close to part of my family's immigration I am. I am a second generation immigrant. This is important to keep in mind when we talk about American immigration policies.
The thinking in the USA seems to be that either you're an immigrant or you're not, with no distinction between the variation of cultures. To a western European this kind of thinking seems very parochial.
The very idea of asking this kind of question makes it seems USA-centric, because the USA has such a strong self-identification as the land of opportunity for immigrants. The discussions about H1-B visas indicates the schizoid nature of that identity.
I've heard it said that the difference between Britain and the USA is that the British think 100 miles is a long way, while Americans think 100 years is a long time.
Again, all of this is my impression, but you did ask.