Thursday, September 27, 2007
Schools for Citizens: Preserving the Republic
In our previous readings we have read about segregation in schools, the actual statistics as to who is occupping our schools, and how race, religion, age, and wealth shouldn't play into someones success in the school environment, but does. In this article (page 20) there are two very intelligent quotes that if payed attention to and put into action, would put everyone in the US on the same playing field so that everyone could be as successful as they want and not be held down by a language, money, or racial ball and chain. The quotes/ ideas are, "that unless we educate our immigrants, they will be our ruin." And, "to sustain an extended republic like our own, there must be national feeling, a national assimilation." I totally agree with both of these statements. I feel that the US has a little false advertizing. They advertize that this is the land of the free, you can do what ever you want and succeed. So families pick up there roots, head over to the US to make there lives better and then geet shut out by society because they can't speak our language, they are "different", and they don't have any money, so now they might be in a worse situation. If the US started assimilating it's immigrants that wouldn't happen and immigrants could achieve everything they want and they would no longer be (as the article reads) "Our Ruin".
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
I think that the U.S. has more than "a little" false advertising.
And yet, look at the success so many immigrants have achieved here -- look at Arnold Schwarzenagger (sorry if spelled wrong) someone who went from athletics, to acting , to politics and all with a strong foreign accent!
I think success stems from the person's own inner core -- the strength of their motivation and desire to succeed. Talent has somewhat less to do with it.
Perhaps teachers should focus less on social differences and find ways to motivate and challenge this intangible human trait. If a person has "it", education can help that person reach their goals. However, if it isn't there, I don't know if there is anything a teacher can do that would make much difference in an individual's future success.
I agree with your first point, but I disagree with your ideas of assimilation. If all of the immigrants were forced to assimilate don't you think they would lose their sense of self? I believe the diversity in this county is amazing and has led to many positive things. Sure, it makes things difficult sometimes, but its a beautiful thing to have so many different people, each with their unique background. What a bland country this would be if everyone were the same.
The two quotes you picked out do indeed have a powerful message, however, I do not agree on your views/interpretation of immigrants.It's true, many (not all immigrants) do struggle , but you have to start from somewhere. And overtime they do start to assimilate, nonetheless, they do not leave their own culture/customs behind. This country was founded as a melting pot? but are we really? For the most part, many immigrants follow selective assimilation, not trying to forget their own customs. They are not thinking about becoming our ruin, instead, they are attempting to achieve. Many children of immigrants work hard to succeed, because they know that in their home country, education may not be as valued as it is here. Furthermore, just by coming in to this country are immigrants achieving part of what they want.
Post a Comment