Why some Immigrants don't assimilate

Published on August 16, 2005 By Champas Socialist In Politics

Imagine this scenario: You arrive in a new country. You are feeling sad, bewildered, scared, homesick, worried about how you will fit in in the new place. You are greeted by the following messages:

“We are in danger of being swamped by Asians.”

“Immigrants: ASSIMILATE or go the HELL HOME!!!”

“The Koran is a violent book. Muslims are encouraged to do terrorist acts by their religion”.

“Go Home slanty-eyes”

“Lebanese hang out in enclaves and gangs”.

“Muslim New Year: Is that where they blow the world up?”

You are spat on, beaten up, abused, ignored, mocked etc.

You respond by
a/ rejoicing at the fact you have arrived in your new home.
b/ find people who will treat you nicely, probably fellow immigrants.

Scenario 2:
You arrive in a new country. You are greeted with the following:

“Welcome to my country. Would you like to come have a cup of tea? ..... Now, what would you like to learn about today?”

Hmmmmm.

Recently I met a guy who had been working on building wells in Africa for impoverished villages. He was telling me how they used to just go in and build the wells where they saw was best.

These days, they consult with the head of the village first. Often it turns out the best place to build the well is on a sacred site. (Oh! So that’s why the villagers used to get pissed off at us!) They go through various ceremonial processes and negotiate with the head, explaining to him why they want to build the well on that site. The guy I met said he’d never had a head reject the idea after that and the villagers were grateful.

And that’s why many Africans are turning to Christianity these days even though the Christian charity workers don’t force them to. They simply do the work, then they go off to their Christian ceremonies, and the Africans, who have developed a relationship with the charity workers, ask them about their religion.

Lesson: If you treat people civilly, take time to get to know them, and work with them, they will feel more inclined to work with you. You will learn from each other.

If you abuse them, they will run away or attack you.

Comments

dynamaso

on Aug 16, 2005

If you treat people civilly, take time to get to know them, and work with them, they will feel more inclined to work with you. You will learn from each other. If you abuse them, they will run away or attack you.

Yep, common sense, really, but as such, is seemingly forgotten by most. Good one, mate

dynamaso

on Aug 16, 2005

Ooops...

Champas Socialist

on Aug 16, 2005

Thanks Dyna. Why oops?

momijiki

on Aug 16, 2005

Just for some interesting perspective, I'm a Canadian living in Japan and have been since '95. During that time here, I have seen a lot of people from other countries who not only don't assimulate, they don't even try. In fact, a good number of them are proud of the fact they haven't learned any of the host language.

I wouldn't say that I have "assimulated." I can speak Japanese, I married a Japanese guy, but I am still a Canadian. I have no intention of becoming "assimulated" but I do try to get to know the culture, the language and respect it. Some Japanese friends have told me that I will never be completely accepted here. Fair enough. I have a strong enough sense of self that that doesn't particularly bother me. And I often find some things that happen here a little baffling and others that I disagree with.

Still, I actually find it offensive when someone who has been here for twenty years(usually a North American or European) and is proud of their ignorance of Japanese culture, language and is PROUD of it. Interestingly, these are often the same types (although this is a broad stereotype, thus prone to exceptions) that insist on immigrants to their home country learning to speak English.

I don't think that people should have to assimulate, but yes, have some respect for your host country.

And to those that mention would bring up the fact that these people have not taken out Japanese citizenship... I don't care. If you live anywhere for longer than 5 years you should be able to speak the local language and not be snotty about local culture whether you agree with it or not.

momijiki

on Aug 16, 2005

When things are offered in both languages, it makes the transition easier. It is difficult to learn another language. Maybe I would know Japanese faster if I was forced to do everything in Japanese, but honestly, sometimes I just need to get something done.

But I get much more out of my life when I speak/read Japanese. I find out more, participate more.

Moderateman

on Aug 16, 2005

I would like to point out that the Muslims that blew up the english bus and trains, were welcomed into England {their parents} given the right to worship as they choose, yet still killed because they WANTED to.

sushiK

on Aug 16, 2005

momijiki where are you living in Japan?

I was in Nagoya for years there was a running joke about Americans and assimilation especially.

I am American but Americans were famous for living in Japan for Years and not even learning how to communicate via basic Japanese. I was there a total of nine years. I never fully assimilated into the Japanese culture but was always respectful and did this by learning to speak Japanese on my own and attending festivals and whatnot.

But even the Japanese would know that Americans would not "Melt" into Japan. They came to expect that Americans could not speak Japanese because they were lazy and just not interested in trying.

From living outside of the country it has given me good insight into immigrants coming into this country. I don't expect them to have Flags stapled to their backs as they walk around here but I do expect the bare min which is learning the language we use here and to maybe respect our customs.

Champas Socialist

on Aug 18, 2005

You're right Moderateman. It is astonishing that in a country in which Muslims are free from discrimiantion and prejudice that tere would still be some tension from their side. Those Islamics are so ungrateful. (No I'm not saying that discrimination justifies bombing. I'm pointing out the spuriousness of your comment, that's all).

Champas Socialist

on Aug 19, 2005

I don't know what's happening to mwe. I'm too old to sell out to the Right. Yet here I am, at least in part agreeing with LW!!! I do agree that some effort should be made to understand and participate in a new culture. However, I think that the reason this often isn't done is because many Australians are often very unwelcoming to non-white foreigners, and instead greet them with "This is Australia, not Austr-Asia" or the other quotes I included in the article. I can understand the reluctance.

momijiki

on Aug 19, 2005

momijiki where are you living in Japan?

I'm living in Tokyo. Been in Tokyo for about three years, Osaka for three years and Niigata City for three years.

I've given a lot of thought to the assimulation issue. I think that in Canada there is a lot less pressure to "become Canadian" (as far as I know, the definition of what defines a Canadian other than being born there and having citizenship) and there is a great deal of talk about maintaining cultural identity. How would I know when someone is Canadian other than their passport?

My attitude is welcome to my country, feel free to bring in your ideas and beliefs but please leave your strife and hatred at the door. Respect what's going on but understand that we're not perfect and we will try to understand new ideas you bring us. You may see some better way to do something. Come to Canada to enjoy a peaceful life but don't bring your wars here. If you come here, it is so you can leave that behind.

So I bring a bit of that attitude to Japan. I respect what's going on, but I also see some things that I think could be improved. (I should make a blog article about the profound effect Starbucks has had on Japan) If my suggestions are not appreciated, I don't rail on about how stupid Japan is. Seems wierd, but lots of people do. I try to go on, and maybe my little ripples in the pond may become a big wave. Who knows?

And yes, I want to kick people in the ass when they have been here for years and don't know Japanese. It's embarrassing because I think it undermines the people who make an effort. Yes, that means you Peter, if you ever happen to read my blog. But I already told you this.

But I will also say one thing about learning the language here. Japanese people think that Japanese is so tough that foreigners can't learn it, especially if you are not from an Asian culture that doesn't use Kanji (Chinese characters). While that would be an advantage, it only requires effort to learn. Personally, I found Japanese easier to learn than French. Go figure. But it is particularly annoying for people to assume that their language is too tough to learn so you shouldn't bother. Oooo... I feel another rant-like posting coming on.

Chakgogka

on Aug 19, 2005

I'm sorry to hear that so many americans don't bother to learn any Japanese at all, it would be understandable if they are only going to be there for a few months, but for the ones who are going to be there for many years, I find this inexcusably rude.

We have a similar situation in Korea. I have lived here for 4 years and am far from being fluent in Korean, but I've just come off the phone after a painful conversation (linguistically!) with the bank during which I have just about managed to understand that my application for a Korean credit card has been approved (major victory for the tenacious foreigner!) and I have to go to the bank to pick it up on Monday.

Personally, I agree that everybody should make at least an effort to get to grips with their host nation's language, even if their stay is fairly short, but I do understand why that sometimes doesn't happen here.

First of all, Japanese and Korean are very difficult. (Linguists tell me that, writing aside, Korean is even more difficult for native English speakers than Japanese) - (so, the other way around, I have an insight into how difficult English is for native Korean speakers).

Secondly, most westerners who come to Korea do so either as soldiers or English teachers. Very few plan to stay here long term (the 'statistical average' English teacher is an early 20-something Canadian teaching here for 1-2 years to pay off her/his student loan). However, it's summer time and the living is easy and a few of them will renew their contracts one more time...

Before they know it they've been living here four, five, six years. In the first year they didn't bother with the language because they're only staying for 12 months. The next year, well, just for another 12 months. Ditto the third year and the fourth and... well, you get the picture.

One hard-won lesson I've learnt from life is to treat every 'temporary' situation as if it were permanent, otherwise you end up with your life 'on hold' when you should be living it.

momijiki

on Aug 19, 2005

One hard-won lesson I've learnt from life is to treat every 'temporary' situation as if it were permanent, otherwise you end up with your life 'on hold' when you should be living it.

Aint that the truth

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