Race, culture and assimilation

[*jason*]

(06-13-2016, 06:03 PM)Benton Wrote: Three hundred years of practice would say otherwise. The Irish didn't ruin the country. The Germans in the early 1800s didn't. The Chinese didn't. The Catholics didn't. The Germans and Jews didn't again in the mid-20th century. Mexicans didn't and — according to some — are providing a large portion of cheap labor helping keep the economy running.

All those groups came here in large numbers and integrated. That's what American culture is, a mix of everywhere else. THAT is what makes is special. The fact you can get a Korean pedicure while you wait for your table at the Mexican restaurant next door, now while smoking a Cuban cigar, drinking Irish whiskey, while watching the latest JJ Abrams (he's Jewish) movie on your Nokia (Finnish) smart phone. You can do that and best of all, you can even put your culture into it. Come from a strong German background? Great! Host a build-a-brat night in your neighborhood to meet other of a like heritage. Got some Cherokee? Attend a tribal dance or similar event.

The fact we can celebrate those differences makes us special. Not being bigoted or xenophobic.

Americans love to claim that they are part native American. Most of our ancestors came here after the whole assimilate the Indians idea was replaced by removal and extermination. So I'd say the likelihood of ol Grandpappy getting it on with a squaw is minimal. They always claim that they are part Cherokee. Is it because that's the only nation they have heard of? How come I never meet a guy that is half Nez Perce? No Comanches. No Delaware. No Crow. Me personally, I'd dream up a Lakota ancestor. I just find that to be a comical element of American culture.