Previously: Common sense immigration
On assimilation: If immigrants don’t leave behind their country of origin and become Americans, the country will cease to be what it is that attracted the immigrants in the first place. If immigrants hold on to the country they left behind, this country will become that place — the place the immigrants fled.
Assimilation is really the transmission of culture. If the American culture — which is an extension and expansion of Western civilization — is not transmitted from one generation to the next, that culture will cease to exist upon the death of the older generation. And if the American culture is not transmitted from the citizens to the immigrants, the culture will also cease to exist. It is Western civilization that made America a desirable place to live. If the Mexican culture were able to do the same, then Mexico would not be hemorrhaging its citizens at the rate it is today. If illegal immigrants succeed in making the United States of America a little Mexico, then where will they emigrate to? If Mexico is such a desirable place to live, that it must be reproduced wherever Mexicans emigrate, then why emigrate in the first place?
These questions deserve to be considered. To cry “racism” because the question is asked, will not solve the problem. If the answer is that Mexico is a desirable place to live, but corruption makes a peaceful life impossible, then the question must be asked, what is it that breeds corruption and the abuse of power? There is a worldview problem somewhere, if, in Mexico, power = self- service and lording it over others. The biblical worldview, which informed Western civ, is that power = self- sacrifice and serving others, from Matthew 20:25-28. Granted, America is in danger of losing that distinction, since we have rejected God’s word from the public debate and from the public square. In fifty years, unless the Church gets serious about its mandate, and stops playing footsie with the world, US citizens may be looking for someplace to emigrate to as well.
I think you did a great job clarifying that position. (I posted the “assimilation” thing in the first place.) I also agree with you that people cry “racism” over every little thing, although in my opinion it would be disingenuous to say that race doesn’t affect the immigration debate at all. Still, it’s beyond annoying when every side of the issue accuses the other of racism.
My personal opinion is this: we need to severely curtail ALL immigration. Mexicans, Asians, Europeans, everyone. Cut them all off, at least for a while until we can sort out our policies. I’m one of the few people who’s actually anti-immigration. But I say that if we let them in knowing they’re Hispanic, it’s not right to say they shouldn’t act/dress/sound Hispanic.
That’s probably the last I’ll annoy you all by posting stuff, but thanks for discussing this in such a manner that is accepting of all opinions!
(I guess I should start logging in more often… HouseMouse)
I just wanted to thank you again for helping me clarify my own thoughts on this issue, in an insightful way, keeping in mind the Bible first and foremost! I also wanted to let you know I mentioned your blog on my own… Keep up the good work!- HouseMouse