The People, the Problems, the Poetry.. Assimilation in America: “…the merging of cultural traits...
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The People, the Problems, the Poetry.. Assimilation in America: “…the merging of cultural traits from previously distinct cultural groups, not involving
Assimilation in America: the merging of cultural traits from
previously distinct cultural groups, not involving biological
amalgamation Random House Dictionary, 2010 The process whereby a
minority group gradually adopts the customs and attitudes of the
prevailing culture. American Heritage Dictionary, 2010 the social
process of absorbing one cultural group into harmony with another
WordNet, Princeton University, 2010 Defining an Idea
Slide 3
Melting Pot v. Salad Bowl
Slide 4
DREAM Act, 2010 Development, Relief and Education for Alien
Minors Act. Started in 2001, has gone through many changes since
then. The United States is missing out on talented workers and
entrepreneurs, and is losing vital tax revenues and other economic
contributions.
http://www.immigrationpolicy.org/just-facts/dream-act-2010
Slide 5
Approach Interviews I first conducted some interviews with
immigrants/2 nd generation immigrants I knew. Asked questions on
culture shock, language and other societal obstacles. I never
thought about that. Poetry Asked each person I interviewed if theyd
be interested in sharing poetry on their experience with me.
Submitting my own poetry. Circulation I created very cheap versions
of chapbooks Each section contains a brief description of the poets
and the country they came from. Distributing the chapbooks just to
sort of get the word out. And shoe similarities between
experiences.
Slide 6
Juan and Joy Pawirosetiko Ages: Juan 19, Joy 18 Nationality:
Indonesian (Javanese) and French Born: Surinam
Slide 7
Selected Q&A Juan & Joy Q: Why come to America? When?
Parents wanted a better educational opportunity for them. August 3
rd, 2001. Acquisition of Language? Culture? Parents were both
fluent in English before moving. Babysitter was Guianese and
Jamaican and spoke very Pidgind English to them both. They both
felt that assimilation was easier for them because of the age.
Culture Shock? Felt more of a culture shock when they returned to
Surinam. Teased and called Americanized.
Selected Q&A Jorge Duque Q: Why come to America? When?
Because of violence, mostly due to drug trafficking 1989, at age 3
Acquisition of Language? Culture? Parents and two sisters only
spoke Spanish Since he moved while young, learned it very quick.
Learning English was different for parents. (Worries) People
assuming youre dumb because of an accent. Interesting Comments My
American friends do not consider me Americanand my Colombian
relatives do not consider me Colombian. I have now moved to
Francein no way under the same circumstances as my parentsbut it
has taught me that assimilation is truly important
Slide 10
Returning Home Joy & Juan On either of their visits back to
Surinam, they have felt that their family didnt truly accept them
as their own. Most notable were the differences between cultures.
The attitude in Surinam is easy going, doing one thing at a time,
as opposed to American (specifically New Yorker) attitudes. Judged
on their clothes. Insisted on them speaking Dutch. Movie theaters
considered a fancy outting. It was like a weird kind of
middle.
Slide 11
Returning Home Jorge Felt a mixture of emotions, like I was
home I also felt alienated by a mass culture I was unaccustomed to.
Describes having grown up feeling like his house being Colombian
and his world being American. Called el gringo by cousins and
family. At first afraid of speaking to strangers because they would
hear his accent and know he didnt live there.
Slide 12
Seemingly So, by Joy Pawirosetiko. Untitled, by Juan
Pawirosetiko. And Now, Some Poetry.
Slide 13
I think what mostly struck me were the similarities between the
people I interviewed. Id hoped to show more, but I ran out of
chapbooks but can bring in more Thursday if you all really want
some! I feel poetry is a great medium for expression of these
different peoples, especially with bilingual poetry.
Reflection