What means be an American? What are your customs and your culture that u demand me to learn & assimilate ?

Question

Some people says Immigrants need to assimilate into the American Culture... but can u be more explicit about that? Does the Mexican Culture is part of the American Culture? Is the American Culture the fusion of many Cultures or its something else? I am Mexicano in Seattle.

Who is an American?
Which ethnic groups, colors and national groups are representing America?

Answer 1

I completely disagree that immigrants need to assimilate. To assimilate means to give up your culture, i.e. language, customs, all the things that make a person unique. For whatever reason assimilation is seen as a positive process when in fact it is not.
For example, Native American were "assimilated" into mainstream culture in 1879. Children were often taken by force from their parents off the reservation to be transformed into "civilized" people. They were beaten for speaking their language, their hair was cut and they were forbidden to practice their religion. Why, because one person felt that they needed to be civilized into the mainstream Anglo American culture.
The alternative to assimilation is acculturation which means that immigrants keep their "culture" but learning the host culture. What people really need in this country is tolerance and education. We should be adopting a pluralistic and not a monolithic mentality towards culture and immigration. And when people say you are in America now speak English, that really pisses me off. Why do people do that? Is it because they will somehow be inconvenienced, or is it because they fear what they do not know. Yeah, this is America but America is made up of immigrants who spoke many languages and brought with them many cultures. I think that people really have an aversion to Mexicans and the language. For some reason Mexicans have been and continue to be the scapegoat for the problems in this country. But that is a whole other story.... Mexican culture is a part of the American culture but you do not have to give up your customs to be a part of it. If there were no Mexican culture people would not be able to eat yummy Mexican food.
I

Answer 2

American culture is a mix of all kinds of cultures from all over the world. Americans can be any race and any nationality. That's what makes it so interesting.

Mexican culture (and Latin American culture in general) is a very large part of American culture. It influences food, traditions, architecture, music, even fashion.

I think that any immigrant from anywhere should learn American customs when they decide to live here. They should know enough English to at least get by and should respect our laws. They should appreciate the fact that they are living in the U.S. and not expect anyone to give them special treatment because they are from somewhere else. At the same time, they should not forget their own customs and where they come from, because that it what makes them who they are. It just adds to the uniqueness of this country.

Answer 3

I spend a lot of time working with mexicans, I love the culture and the food, the most important thing about being an american I think is speaking the language and making a contibution to those around you, none of the guys I work with speak english and they are just hear to make money then go home, which is fine buecause our economy needs the labor and whites are too lazy to do a lot of it, but anyone can be an american, you just have to try, hold on to your culture do not abandon it, but make it work in ours

Answer 4

1. We are a nation of laws. Become a law-abiding citizen. Do not start gangs or peddle drugs or steal from people. Don't do this because you're "afraid to go to jail", do this because you want a law-abiding society too.

2. Speak our language. We speak American English here. Do not demand "accomodation" by asking for translators, demanding DMV and voter registration forms in Spanish or whatever. Learn the language; learn it quickly; speak it clearly.

3. Get an education. Education and individual merit is the key to the future. The smarter and wiser you are, the smarter and wiser your children will be, and the better off everyone will be. Educated people are less likely to wind up on welfare or in prison. Educated people tend to make sure their kids are well-behaved in school.

4. Take pride in your town and your country. Spend your money here. Contribute to making your town and your country a better place. Consider military service. Vote. Clean up litter. Get involved. Do NOT send money home to some other country. Do NOT paint grafitti. Do NOT hang a Mexican or other foreign flag where others can see it (exception: a bar where it is permissible to celebrate the "old country").

5. Take pride in your work. We are hard-working people in this country. Work built this nation, including its roads, its schools, and its cities. Do not expect handouts or welfare checks.

6. Most importantly: Have some respect for the people who came here before you. (That's part of "assimilation"). This means do NOT have demonstrations in the street and carp about "civil rights" you know nothing about, and are not entitled to. Do NOT wave foreign flags around. Do NOT take advantage of our immigration system by crying "amnesty" or "racism" when you are stopped by the police, and do NOT have anchor babies to stay here and collect welfare. Also, teach your kids to behave themselves in school. Respect our institutions and the people who run them.

Answer 5

All racial and ethic groups represent "Americans". You don't have to assimilate if you don't want to, you can segregate yourself with other people who speak your language and have similar customs; or you can begin to blend. Celebrate American traditions like 4th of July AND Cinco de Mayo. Fly the US flag along side the Mexican flag. Depends on what YOU want. Do you want to participate in American politics, keep up with American current events or not. You can become American, or you can be a Mexican in America. The choice is yours.

Answer 6

My godfather was a Mexican, from Northern Mexico. He was proud to call himself an American FIRST, a Latino second. He assimilated easily into our society because he WANTED to. If you don't wish to assimilate, to be an American, then why are you here? Is it just to make money? Because, if so, you are doing yourself, and Americans, a terrible disservice. Not to mention furthering a very negative image of your people.

Answer 7

American means being born in any country of the American Continent:
North American
Central American
South American

Its a Whole continent, not just a simple country

Answer 8

America is a melting pot. Our customs, cultures, ideas, etc. are a mixture of all the people of the world, in varying degrees.

Answer 9

Being an American means having a closed mind in an empty head.

Answer 10

America is a new way to think. It is a culture 1,000 years advanced, because it is about ideas.
two basic things, and then get out there and live:
1) We want you here--your contributions, your unique-ness
2) Be ready to change your ways. We all have, over and over and over again, and we will keep changing.