According to a Washington Post article (5/10/10) on the front page of its metro section, the traditional image of the U.S. suburb is being spoiled as they become less wealthy, white and native-born. No, really.
Carol Morello’s story began:
Ozzie and Harriet, R.I.P.
The idealized vision of suburbia as a homogeneous landscape of prosperity built around the nuclear family took another hit over the past decade, as suburbs became home to more poor people, immigrants, minorities, senior citizens and households with no children, according to a Brookings Institution report to be released Sunday.
As Atrios asked, “Nobody noticed what’s wrong with this paragraph?”
idealize vt: to think of or represent as ideal
ideal n 1: a standard of perfection, beauty or excellence 2: a perfect type : a model for imitation
“Life is all right in America
If you’re all white in America”
I’ve lived in the same house in my suburban Mesa, Arizona, neighborhood for 37 years. I guess the demographics would be viewed as having changed. When I’m out in my front yard, I see mothers (some “white,” some not) leading their children by the hand to the school a few blocks away. We exchange pleasantries. I admire the children; they admire my flowers. Would I consider moving to a “retirement” area? Not in a million years!
The real problem is the lack of shared identity as Americans. Many new immigrant families have no interest in being American. They want to be what they were where they came from, but just do it in a better place, with more social programs. I personally don’t care who you are or what color you are, or where you are from. BUT, once you live here, try adopting the culture of where you live instead of importing yours and making us bend to fit it. Our mix of cultures works best when used as a flavoring for the same pot instead of 50 different pots that don’t taste good together.
Michael does not seem to have a grasp of the real facts about immigrants. First, by injecting their culture, they are enhancing ours. Many “real Americans” don’t understand how much we can learn about other ways of life, gain a world perspective, and not be the “ugly American” who looks down on what is new and rich with ideas and customs.
Many immigrants come here because they see this as a land of opportunity and they work very hard to achieve a better life. Within one generation, for some, their children are integrated into American life. For others, it is possible that because they are not accepted and are deprived of an education that should be provided to all, they are held back. If we want to improve our society, we must realize that we are a nation of immigrants whose ancestors started out with a dream.
I agree with Michael and Ester. When immigrants come here they should expect to both keep their previous culture as well as blend in. For example, learning to speak American well is necessary. If families wish to maintain their native language among friends, at home, or in groups with like linguistics, fine, but use proper American when interacting in American-speaking businesses, schools, etc.
Further, I welcome learning of other (than caucasion – and by the way there are many cultures within the caucasion culture as well.) cultures but feel that all imigrants should not be rewarded for violating our border laws. Whether Mexican or any other origin, if you cannot enter a country legally, what does that say about your attitute toward law or custom.
Immigrants do work especially hard and do contribute more than they extract from our culture. However, it is also true that those of us who want law-abiding immigration don’t necessarily “look down” on other cultures. We can learn at least as much, if not more, from legal immigrants – and I look forward to that opportunity.
I also despise the corporations which take advantage of these immigrants by paying them less than they deserve for the often backbreaking and dirty work they perform just to make a buck. While it may be true that if there were no immigrants their jobs would be offered to Americans who would not want them at the wages that are paid for these tough jobs. Alternatively, without illegals, perhaps corporations would be required to pay an appropriate wage to legal immigrants and to Americans.
Don’t call names, Ester, or assume someone is a bigot because they can see the nuances of this issue.
Jody: Esther did not “call names”. “real Americans” & “ugly American” were in quotation marks just like here. You are certainly right in calling the corporations to task for taking advantage & it’s high time that our laws take them to task. Fining & jailing the “corporados” will reduce the “immigration problem” by making sure that anyone willing to work will receive a decent pay.
Like it or not….the Anglo concept of government….Democratic Republic….is absolutely in danger when you have a huge influx of illegal immigration from Latino countries that beleive in Marxism and Socialism….or wealth redistribution. The primary reason America has such a high standard of living is due to these Anglo concepts. If you slowly….over a few generations… remove Anglo influence from the American society through immigration from poor…socialist countries….then the standard of living in America will steadily decline until it is just as bad as Mexico and Central America.
It is challenging to locate knowledgeable men and women on this subject, but you sound like you realize what you are talking about! Thanks