Are today's immigrants different? Our country's open immigration policies of the distant past invited people from many countries to come to America for a better life. Their "better...

engaged Loc: New York City and Broward County Florida

Our country's open immigration policies of the distant past invited people from many countries to come to America for a better life. Their "better life" was often labor for pennies, devoid of dignity or purpose. Still, they persisted.They worked hard so that their children would be able to live the American Dream.

Generations of immigrants made this country great. The American idea of individualism, risk taking, entrepreneurship and vision may have been envisioned by the "Founding Fathers", but it was immigrants who crystallized that vision into reality. I would venture to guess that the majority of you reading this now are the proud product of immigrants. And proud we should be.

Traditionally, immigrants wanted nothing more than to be Americans. They struggled to learn English and made sure their children learned to speak the language like natives. They continued their cultural celebrations, but this was done only at home. Outside the home, they became more American than many Americans. When I was growing up, my immigrant parents taught me to speak their language, but stressed that only English was to be used outside the home. They said it was rude not to do so; others may think that you are talking about them. Today, it is different.

I live in South Florida and taught speakers of other languages for nearly 20 years in a state college program of English for Academic Purposes, (EAP). My students were either foreign college students wanting to continue their studies in the US, or professionals seeking to recertify their foreign degrees. On the whole, I found them to be serious students motivated to improve their lot here in America. In this area, the majority of students came from Latin America, former Soviet republics, and Haiti although we had students from all over the world as well.

I got to know many of them personally through the years and I noticed one thing: Most of them not only spoke their own languages in the home, but also watched TV and read newspapers from their home countries. They made a point of not exposing their children to English until they had to go to school, and would not let their children speak English at home. This amazed me. It was so different from my own experience as a child of immigrants and what I had learned about earlier immigrants.

Right here in South Florida there are neighborhoods where you never hear English. It's Russian, Spanish, Korean, Haitian Creole that you hear. These groups have rejected American culture - in fact, most of my students told me there WAS no American culture. Instead they chose to stay with their own; assimilation was a dirty word.

Is this why so many Americans resent today's immigrants? Do we have cause to fear that we will lose our national identity in a quest for diversity and political correctness? How do you feel about these new immigrants?

Alicia Loc: NYC

engaged wrote:

Our country's open immigration policies of the distant past invited people from many countries to come to America for a better life. Their "better life" was often labor for pennies, devoid of dignity or purpose. Still, they persisted.They worked hard so that their children would be able to live the American Dream.

Generations of immigrants made this country great. The American idea of individualism, risk taking, entrepreneurship and vision may have been envisioned by the "Founding Fathers", but it was immigrants who crystallized that vision into reality. I would venture to guess that the majority of you reading this now are the proud product of immigrants. And proud we should be.

Traditionally, immigrants wanted nothing more than to be Americans. They struggled to learn English and made sure their children learned to speak the language like natives. They continued their cultural celebrations, but this was done only at home. Outside the home, they became more American than many Americans. When I was growing up, my immigrant parents taught me to speak their language, but stressed that only English was to be used outside the home. They said it was rude not to do so; others may think that you are talking about them. Today, it is different.

I live in South Florida and taught speakers of other languages for nearly 20 years in a state college program of English for Academic Purposes, (EAP). My students were either foreign college students wanting to continue their studies in the US, or professionals seeking to recertify their foreign degrees. On the whole, I found them to be serious students motivated to improve their lot here in America. In this area, the majority of students came from Latin America, former Soviet republics, and Haiti although we had students from all over the world as well.

I got to know many of them personally through the years and I noticed one thing: Most of them not only spoke their own languages in the home, but also watched TV and read newspapers from their home countries. They made a point of not exposing their children to English until they had to go to school, and would not let their children speak English at home. This amazed me. It was so different from my own experience as a child of immigrants and what I had learned about earlier immigrants.

Right here in South Florida there are neighborhoods where you never hear English. It's Russian, Spanish, Korean, Haitian Creole that you hear. These groups have rejected American culture - in fact, most of my students told me there WAS no American culture. Instead they chose to stay with their own; assimilation was a dirty word.

Is this why so many Americans resent today's immigrants? Do we have cause to fear that we will lose our national identity in a quest for diversity and political correctness? How do you feel about these new immigrants?

Our country's open immigration policies of the dis... (show quote)

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Yes, these immigrants are different. I haven't checked into it but I know that years ago there was a requirement for immigrants to attend classes to learn the American English language. My husband taught English classes for the foreign born.

Years ago I felt resentment when upon entering the subway in NYC, I found that all signs were in both English and Spanish. I also resent the additional cost to our government to have all legal papers printed in more than one language.

Perhaps our government felt this would avoid confusion as, at that time, there was a great influx of Puerto Ricans in NY. I can see nothing wrong with forcing immigrants to learn the language or be dependent upon someone who does. To my knowledge they were also required to recite the American Pledge of Allegiance (in English) before receiving their citizenship papers.

My grandparents did not teach their children the Polish language and insisted that only English be spoken in the home. They were very proud to become American citizens.

After moving to the SW I discovered many Mexicans who were still under the impression that that part of the country was still Mexican. They did not recognize that war.

I'm all for helping people in difficult situations but giving amnesty without expecting anything in return is wrong in my mind. I do believe that when a group of one ethnicity is working together and there are Americans present, they should be required to speak our language. I believe this stands for children too. Teaching classes in foreign languages does a disservice to the students. They should have language classes on weekends or after normal school hours.

I do understand some Spanish but I have had occasion, while rooming with two Latinas that they were talking about me believing I had no understanding. I allowed them to continue to think that way and was, therefore, armed with knowledge they were unaware of.

I do resent a person making a living here and not making the effort to, at least, learn the language of this country.

PoppaGringo Loc: Muslim City, Mexifornia, B.R.

Cheese Alicia, I find myself agreeing with you for the second time. Do I need to be psychoanalyzed?

dennisimoto Loc: Washington State (West)

engaged wrote:

Our country's open immigration policies of the distant past invited people from many countries to come to America for a better life. Their "better life" was often labor for pennies, devoid of dignity or purpose. Still, they persisted.They worked hard so that their children would be able to live the American Dream.

Generations of immigrants made this country great. The American idea of individualism, risk taking, entrepreneurship and vision may have been envisioned by the "Founding Fathers", but it was immigrants who crystallized that vision into reality. I would venture to guess that the majority of you reading this now are the proud product of immigrants. And proud we should be.

Traditionally, immigrants wanted nothing more than to be Americans. They struggled to learn English and made sure their children learned to speak the language like natives. They continued their cultural celebrations, but this was done only at home. Outside the home, they became more American than many Americans. When I was growing up, my immigrant parents taught me to speak their language, but stressed that only English was to be used outside the home. They said it was rude not to do so; others may think that you are talking about them. Today, it is different.

I live in South Florida and taught speakers of other languages for nearly 20 years in a state college program of English for Academic Purposes, (EAP). My students were either foreign college students wanting to continue their studies in the US, or professionals seeking to recertify their foreign degrees. On the whole, I found them to be serious students motivated to improve their lot here in America. In this area, the majority of students came from Latin America, former Soviet republics, and Haiti although we had students from all over the world as well.

I got to know many of them personally through the years and I noticed one thing: Most of them not only spoke their own languages in the home, but also watched TV and read newspapers from their home countries. They made a point of not exposing their children to English until they had to go to school, and would not let their children speak English at home. This amazed me. It was so different from my own experience as a child of immigrants and what I had learned about earlier immigrants.

Right here in South Florida there are neighborhoods where you never hear English. It's Russian, Spanish, Korean, Haitian Creole that you hear. These groups have rejected American culture - in fact, most of my students told me there WAS no American culture. Instead they chose to stay with their own; assimilation was a dirty word.

Is this why so many Americans resent today's immigrants? Do we have cause to fear that we will lose our national identity in a quest for diversity and political correctness? How do you feel about these new immigrants?

Our country's open immigration policies of the dis... (show quote)

"If you want to hear your information in a language other than English, move to a country that speaks it." Phone greeting at an elementary school in Australia.

dennisimoto Loc: Washington State (West)

Alicia wrote:

******************
Yes, these immigrants are different. I haven't checked into it but I know that years ago there was a requirement for immigrants to attend classes to learn the American English language. My husband taught English classes for the foreign born.

I do resent a person making a living here and not making the effort to, at least, learn the language of this country.

Bebop on down to your local Socialist Security office and you will find every form you need to apply for benefits in English, Spanish, Korean, Chinese, etc.

Had enough

Let me tell you what it is like living in a suburb of Phoenix, Az. The i******s come here and never bother to learn our language. About 10 years ago my daughter and her husband fell on hard times. They tried to get help and were denied. My daughter said we the Mexicans get help. She was asked if her husband was latino. She said no, the lady responded well there you go. My daughter replied if he was latino would you help us and the lady said yes. Their fine now. Anyone thinking the mexicans are coming here to pick crops are mistaken. I saw a road crew a couple of weeks ago entirely made up of mexicans . Their building our houses ( built 2 of mine), they work for Walmart etc.. You can always tell an illegal when their driving. They never do the speed limit and if a Police car pulls in behind them they take the next turn. They commit thousands of accidents then take off from the scene of their crime leaving the victim to have to claim damages on their own insurance. I know cause it happened to me twice. 1 time we gave chase and caught the guy, but still had to claim it on our own insurance. The i******s move into your neighborhood and destroy it in short order. If it's an expensive neighborhood they move several families into 1 house. I had a young mexican and his wife actually buy a house in my neighborhood. His wife stayed home and he laid tile for a living. All the neighbors wonder how he could afford the house. He let the front yard to go to hell several times. Thank God for HOAs. It turns out he was a bringing i******s into the country and that was how he was able to afford the house. They purposely get in front of you at the mall and then slow down. When you try to get around them they spread out and won't let you pass. They hold the kids up in classes because they either don't speak English or speak it poorly, causing the teacher to have to stop frequently and repeat everything in spanish. I could go on for sometime but I think some of you get my drift.

dennisimoto Loc: Washington State (West)

Had enough wrote:

Let me tell you what it is like living in a suburb of Phoenix, Az. The i******s come here and never bother to learn our language. They hold the kids up in classes because they either don't speak English or speak it poorly, causing the teacher to have to stop frequently and repeat everything in spanish. I could go on for sometime but I think some of you get my drift.

But, but, they're just looking for a better life. Shouldn't we, as Americans who have so much, just want to share it with them and help them up? Huh? Shouldn't we? (dang! no 'sarcasm' font)

PoppaGringo Loc: Muslim City, Mexifornia, B.R.

dennisimoto wrote:

But, but, they're just looking for a better life. Shouldn't we, as Americans who have so much, just want to share it with them and help them up? Huh? Shouldn't we? (dang! no 'sarcasm' font)

Of course, just open our 'wallets' to whomever decides to swim over. Bien venidos.

Alicia Loc: NYC

Old_Gringo wrote:

Cheese Alicia, I find myself agreeing with you for the second time. Do I need to be psychoanalyzed?

****************
Maybe. But you really need the help when you disagree with me!
:roll: :roll: :roll:

Alicia Loc: NYC

dennisimoto wrote:

"If you want to hear your information in a language other than English, move to a country that speaks it." Phone greeting at an elementary school in Australia.

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Love it :!: :!: :!: :!: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

JONDO

engaged wrote:

Our country's open immigration policies of the distant past invited people from many countries to come to America for a better life. Their "better life" was often labor for pennies, devoid of dignity or purpose. Still, they persisted.They worked hard so that their children would be able to live the American Dream.

Generations of immigrants made this country great. The American idea of individualism, risk taking, entrepreneurship and vision may have been envisioned by the "Founding Fathers", but it was immigrants who crystallized that vision into reality. I would venture to guess that the majority of you reading this now are the proud product of immigrants. And proud we should be.

Traditionally, immigrants wanted nothing more than to be Americans. They struggled to learn English and made sure their children learned to speak the language like natives. They continued their cultural celebrations, but this was done only at home. Outside the home, they became more American than many Americans. When I was growing up, my immigrant parents taught me to speak their language, but stressed that only English was to be used outside the home. They said it was rude not to do so; others may think that you are talking about them. Today, it is different.

I live in South Florida and taught speakers of other languages for nearly 20 years in a state college program of English for Academic Purposes, (EAP). My students were either foreign college students wanting to continue their studies in the US, or professionals seeking to recertify their foreign degrees. On the whole, I found them to be serious students motivated to improve their lot here in America. In this area, the majority of students came from Latin America, former Soviet republics, and Haiti although we had students from all over the world as well.

I got to know many of them personally through the years and I noticed one thing: Most of them not only spoke their own languages in the home, but also watched TV and read newspapers from their home countries. They made a point of not exposing their children to English until they had to go to school, and would not let their children speak English at home. This amazed me. It was so different from my own experience as a child of immigrants and what I had learned about earlier immigrants.

Right here in South Florida there are neighborhoods where you never hear English. It's Russian, Spanish, Korean, Haitian Creole that you hear. These groups have rejected American culture - in fact, most of my students told me there WAS no American culture. Instead they chose to stay with their own; assimilation was a dirty word.

Is this why so many Americans resent today's immigrants? Do we have cause to fear that we will lose our national identity in a quest for diversity and political correctness? How do you feel about these new immigrants?

Our country's open immigration policies of the dis... (show quote)

They are like rats coming off a diseased ship this time and they are being spread into the population by our own counterfeit government.If this isnt an impeachable offense, I dont know what is.

PoppaGringo Loc: Muslim City, Mexifornia, B.R.

Alicia wrote:

****************
Maybe. But you really need the help when you disagree with me!
:roll: :roll: :roll:

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

engaged Loc: New York City and Broward County Florida

Alicia said:

After moving to the SW I discovered many Mexicans who were still under the impression that that part of the country was still Mexican. They did not recognize that war.

I'm all for helping people in difficult situations but giving amnesty without expecting anything in return is wrong in my mind. I do believe that when a group of one ethnicity is working together and there are Americans present, they should be required to speak our language. I believe this stands for children too. Teaching classes in foreign languages does a disservice to the students. They should have language classes on weekends or after normal school hours.

I do understand some Spanish but I have had occasion, while rooming with two Latinas that they were talking about me believing I had no understanding. I allowed them to continue to think that way and was, therefore, armed with knowledge they were unaware of.

I do resent a person making a living here and not making the effort to, at least, learn the language of this country.[/quote]

------------------------

Great comment, Alicia. In terms of parents teaching their kids their native language, I am one of three cousins out of 18 who were taught Spanish. Most of my aunts and uncles on both sides intentionally did not teach their children to speak Spanish. The excuse they used was that they wanted to speak openly and not have the kids understand! Counter-productive, I think. It is always better to know another language, especially if learned before age 6. Not only will this add to your job prospects, but it also expand the neuronal networks. It has been proven that learning another language early increases IQ between 10 and 20 points. I learned this during my master's training in TESOL - Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.

Sorry for going a bit OT (off topic).

engaged Loc: New York City and Broward County Florida

dennisimoto wrote:

"If you want to hear your information in a language other than English, move to a country that speaks it." Phone greeting at an elementary school in Australia.

Great one dennisimoto!

Dave Loc: Upstate New York

engaged wrote:

Our country's open immigration policies of the distant past invited people from many countries to come to America for a better life. Their "better life" was often labor for pennies, devoid of dignity or purpose. Still, they persisted.They worked hard so that their children would be able to live the American Dream.

Generations of immigrants made this country great. The American idea of individualism, risk taking, entrepreneurship and vision may have been envisioned by the "Founding Fathers", but it was immigrants who crystallized that vision into reality. I would venture to guess that the majority of you reading this now are the proud product of immigrants. And proud we should be.

Traditionally, immigrants wanted nothing more than to be Americans. They struggled to learn English and made sure their children learned to speak the language like natives. They continued their cultural celebrations, but this was done only at home. Outside the home, they became more American than many Americans. When I was growing up, my immigrant parents taught me to speak their language, but stressed that only English was to be used outside the home. They said it was rude not to do so; others may think that you are talking about them. Today, it is different.

I live in South Florida and taught speakers of other languages for nearly 20 years in a state college program of English for Academic Purposes, (EAP). My students were either foreign college students wanting to continue their studies in the US, or professionals seeking to recertify their foreign degrees. On the whole, I found them to be serious students motivated to improve their lot here in America. In this area, the majority of students came from Latin America, former Soviet republics, and Haiti although we had students from all over the world as well.

I got to know many of them personally through the years and I noticed one thing: Most of them not only spoke their own languages in the home, but also watched TV and read newspapers from their home countries. They made a point of not exposing their children to English until they had to go to school, and would not let their children speak English at home. This amazed me. It was so different from my own experience as a child of immigrants and what I had learned about earlier immigrants.

Right here in South Florida there are neighborhoods where you never hear English. It's Russian, Spanish, Korean, Haitian Creole that you hear. These groups have rejected American culture - in fact, most of my students told me there WAS no American culture. Instead they chose to stay with their own; assimilation was a dirty word.

Is this why so many Americans resent today's immigrants? Do we have cause to fear that we will lose our national identity in a quest for diversity and political correctness? How do you feel about these new immigrants?

Our country's open immigration policies of the dis... (show quote)

Comparing immigrants then and now misses a major difference. Then they came here and had no social programs that provided them anything but opportunity - today they come to a society that provides a set of social programs that instantly makes them better off economically on day one than they were at home.