Assimilation Vs. American Capitalism

I was reading an article in a local newspaper on terrorist attacks in London. The article brought up the point that Britain even though they have a smaller population tend to have more terrorist attacks than the United States. They attributed this to the cultural differences of the two countries. Britain’s immigrants often keep more of their native culture, which seems to lead them to feeling ostracized. In America, immigrants are taught to become “Americanized.”

Is being Americanized really culture or is it the pursuit of the American Dream, which is Political, Financial and Religious Freedom.

For my international readers do you have these same discussions with people “assimilating” to being “more white” or more like the majority?

To get a “chocolate” perspective on this topic I got the help of my “chocolate” friend (Because I have chocolate friends) Brandon, author of Intellegent Ignorance.

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Assimilation

Defined loosely, assimilation is the act of giving up ones cultural background, practices and beliefs and adopting those of the dominant culture. It is what America is known for. We are the “melting pot” (or salad bowl) of the world, where immigrants from every corner of the globe come in search of a new life and submerge themselves in OUR culture. Right?

Ummm… I’m not so sure about that. Besides, what culture would they adopt? Is there truly an American culture? On the contrary, America is a place where you can come and freely and proudly celebrate your individuality.

Most immigrants that come to this country tend to maintain their way of life. Though Christianity is the primary religion here, very rarely will you find a devout Muslim from the Middle East convert to Christianity when his feet hits US soil. The only difference is that they are able to take advantage of capitalism in its purist form.

Okay… so if the active pursuit of capitalism is what we are assimilating to, why do some people view assimilating so negatively?” Don’t we all desire financial stability? The customs and culture that make up the American brand of capitalism were established by the dominant culture. Since they created the system, “getting ahead” in America requires playing the game according to the established rules, no?

When you think about it, immigrants do not usually have a problem grasping this concept. Most groups come to America with their families, maintain their way of life, and actively pursue the American Dream.

On the other hand, ethnic minorities that are already here have a different take on it. Being that ethnic minorities in America (African Americans, Latinos etc.) have had a history of being discriminated against and shut out by the dominant culture, whether it be socially or economically, many have been hard-wired to view anything established by the dominant culture as negative; and to many in those communities, striving to obtain the acceptance and possessions of the dominant culture is to sell out and to betray your culture.

Sure, assimilating may be a bit harder for ethnic minorities due to lack of access and opportunities afforded to those of the dominant culture, but does that mean that we shouldn’t try? If you want those opportunities, in most cases, assimilating is a requirement.

Many people don’t understand this concept and feel that playing the game is to turn your back on your culture. Is that true? Is it possible to maintain your cultural identity and assimilate into American capitialism?

The New Slavery

In this week’s “Ask the Ass” Mondays the topic of slavery came up, along with should there be reparation of any kind. I will not tackle those questions again, but want to bring a new outlook on “slavery.” Today, the shackles of slavery have been broken. Yesterday’s shackles have been replaced with a much more efficient system. This system is not made of iron and steel nor is it based on the color of your skin… its knowledge. This knowledge is what separates the haves and have not’s.

Rockefeller along with several other wealthy business people funded a project which later became Harvard. The study was how to best run a society? The smartest of people came from around the world to participate.

They determined that slavery was not economically efficient way to sustain a nation. They suggested an open aired jail based on knowledge. The problem with out-right slavery is that slaves have nothing to lose so they will run away or have destructive behavior. All of which will bring down a nation, and any 3rd world country is evidence of this.

Give people enough that they will not run away or be destructive. Even though we have our share of problems (or opportunities in work clothes); I have yet to see an American citizen make a raft to sail away or jump the fence to Mexico. This is why slavery was replaced with the middle class, which makes up a large percent of America. These same business men then funded colleges and universities to educate their working force; since, they where the ones paying for this they also had an influence of the curriculum. From the time of birth you are taught to do what you are told, the education system was established with this in mind. As a child your parents tell you what to do; as a teenager your teacher tells you what to do; college your professor tells you what to do; and graduate from college and you boss tells you what to do.

The welfare system was created to keep the poor from being anymore destructive than they already are. America’s “poor,” pale in comparison to the poor of the 3rd world countries.

An educated slaves work harder and longer. Because we a society that likes to keep up with the Jones, they got rid of physical shackles and gave everyone credit. So you go to work… they give you a pay check… you then go spend more than that in another one of their companies or one of their friends’ company. The American dream is available to everyone at 15% interest.

The only thing left was selling the “public” on this new system. They then funded local and national politicians along with special interest groups to promote getting rid of slavery. I was fairly long process that took more than one president’s term, but its how social change takes place.

Out with slavery, in with the middle class. This might seem unfair, but the top 5% know you will not do anything about it. Not because you don’t want to, but because you have been programmed to be workers not to think. The top 5% control more than 80% of the money because they know the rules of the game and they play to win.

Henry ford said it best, “Thinking is the hardest task and that’s why so few engage in it.”
If there is going to be a revolution, this time it will have to start with the way we think.