11-07-2005, 10:10 PM
I still think we are underestimating the signifigance of a desire to assimilate(whish is partly but not wholes related to my thoughts on modern liberalism).
Immigrants who embrace assimilation - assimilate. This happens regarless of their religion in most cases.
This was the status quo for US immigrants though most og the 19th and 20th centuries.
Italians, Eastern Europeans, Jews and Irish who came to America looked "becoming an American" as a good thing. Sure some people resented them but the desire to be an American ovr came the resistance.
Yes they kept some traditions and often religion - but importantly they identified themselves as Americans.
Now look at France right now. I wonder how many of those rioters are/were proud to be French. I suspect most never felt llike they even had a chance to be really "French".
Immigrants who embrace assimilation - assimilate. This happens regarless of their religion in most cases.
This was the status quo for US immigrants though most og the 19th and 20th centuries.
Italians, Eastern Europeans, Jews and Irish who came to America looked "becoming an American" as a good thing. Sure some people resented them but the desire to be an American ovr came the resistance.
Yes they kept some traditions and often religion - but importantly they identified themselves as Americans.
Now look at France right now. I wonder how many of those rioters are/were proud to be French. I suspect most never felt llike they even had a chance to be really "French".