The American Dream
In my Diversity class, we are learning about immigration and the melting pot. Every immigrant had their unique culture and lifestyle before moving to America to live the "american dream". I enjoy learning about history but learning about this history has made me upset. Don't get me wrong, I am American. I love America. My family moved here and I am so glad they moved here way back when.
The American Dream was about freedom. So many people were oppressed and not receiving rights in their country. They found out that they could own land if they immigrated. They learned they could have more rights if they moved. What did they do? They moved.
For some people, they received everything they wanted. For most people, they had some more opportunities but found themselves stuck. There weren't many job opportunities for immigrants who were the minority, so they were stuck in jobs of hard labor in harsh living situations.
The hardest part that I am learning about is assimilation. People gave up their culture completely to be American. They sacrificed their traditions in order to gain this american dream. There was this struggle of identity for individuals who immigrated. Do they try to hold onto their culture or do they let go of their traditions and join the melting pot?
I am writing this paper about my ethnic roots which has been pretty interesting. My family is European and they immigrated here for religious freedom. They moved here and assimilated so they didn't carry any traditions.
Learning about this has made me think of my culture and previous traditions of my ancestors. What did they celebrate in their countries before that they gave up? What kind of traditions did they have before? Were they okay with the fact that they gave up their culture? These thoughts have never occurred to me before as I have always identified myself as American. My family has lived here for years and it didn't matter to me. I think it would be fun to experience and see what kind of culture they were living before they immigrated here to America.
I am not angry, but it's interesting to see what has happened.
America was founded upon all of these immigrants who desired freedoms. Some of my ancestors found freedom and some found that their lower status still left them in oppression. Most of my ancestors eventually joined the Mormon church and then moved west to Salt Lake City. They were oppressed because of their choice to join the Mormon religion.
I am not blaming America for why Mormons were persecuted. It is because America created this "american dream" that Mormonism could start. This religious freedom allowed Joseph Smith to pray and start up the religion. It allowed members of all religions to meet and practice until they started persecuting Mormons.
It just has been really interesting to think back about my own ancestors and see their journey for freedom and religion. I will be eternally grateful for their journey for truth and the american dream. It is because they searched for it, that I could be raised in the church. It is because of them, I was born into America and have enjoyed living in this country.
I know that this post was more reflective, but what about you guys? How did you come here to America? How do you identify yourself? What is your culture that you identify with mostly?
The American Dream was about freedom. So many people were oppressed and not receiving rights in their country. They found out that they could own land if they immigrated. They learned they could have more rights if they moved. What did they do? They moved.
For some people, they received everything they wanted. For most people, they had some more opportunities but found themselves stuck. There weren't many job opportunities for immigrants who were the minority, so they were stuck in jobs of hard labor in harsh living situations.
The hardest part that I am learning about is assimilation. People gave up their culture completely to be American. They sacrificed their traditions in order to gain this american dream. There was this struggle of identity for individuals who immigrated. Do they try to hold onto their culture or do they let go of their traditions and join the melting pot?
I am writing this paper about my ethnic roots which has been pretty interesting. My family is European and they immigrated here for religious freedom. They moved here and assimilated so they didn't carry any traditions.
Learning about this has made me think of my culture and previous traditions of my ancestors. What did they celebrate in their countries before that they gave up? What kind of traditions did they have before? Were they okay with the fact that they gave up their culture? These thoughts have never occurred to me before as I have always identified myself as American. My family has lived here for years and it didn't matter to me. I think it would be fun to experience and see what kind of culture they were living before they immigrated here to America.
I am not angry, but it's interesting to see what has happened.
America was founded upon all of these immigrants who desired freedoms. Some of my ancestors found freedom and some found that their lower status still left them in oppression. Most of my ancestors eventually joined the Mormon church and then moved west to Salt Lake City. They were oppressed because of their choice to join the Mormon religion.
I am not blaming America for why Mormons were persecuted. It is because America created this "american dream" that Mormonism could start. This religious freedom allowed Joseph Smith to pray and start up the religion. It allowed members of all religions to meet and practice until they started persecuting Mormons.
It just has been really interesting to think back about my own ancestors and see their journey for freedom and religion. I will be eternally grateful for their journey for truth and the american dream. It is because they searched for it, that I could be raised in the church. It is because of them, I was born into America and have enjoyed living in this country.
I know that this post was more reflective, but what about you guys? How did you come here to America? How do you identify yourself? What is your culture that you identify with mostly?
Comments
Post a Comment