U.S. AbsorbED Immigrants

[Paul-F]

A 100 years ago America absorbed and integrated millions of immigrants, why can't we?

Over a 100 years ago America had open borders anyone could come as they pleased. Initially the nativists (original british settlers) were hostile to the immigrants, just as we are to new immigrants today, though the true native Americans may have a different view on the matter.

However, the immigrants that went to America brought their own cultures and integrated themselves and added to the American way of life. They did this by whilst simultaneously living in their own communities, just as we have pockets of immigrant towns and cities. Today, without a doubt there is no racism between the descendents of the immigrants. You will not see German-American Joe saying "eh, steve your a Italian-American Douchebag!". They all see themselves as American, even though they are aware of their ancestry.

All this took place over a 100 years ago, I would like to think that society has progressed a bit since then. So if the Americans could eventually accept immigrants as an equal citizen, why are we unable to? Do you think eventually racism will disappear in Britain as a result of eventual integration like in America, or, the through the BNP being elected and kicking out all the immigrants?

In fact, the largest ethnic group in America is an immigrant group, the German-Americans. Would it be acceptable for you, say that in a 100 years, the largest ethnic group would be Polish-British?

[ZiaAries]

[Gibbous Moon]

I think the American’s were probably helped by two factors. Firstly, they had lots of space out West for people to move into. Either first generation immigrants or internal migrants from the East coast could move West in a steady stream and therefore the perceived competition for resources in the East was reduced.

Secondly, America was founded by migrants so the population were probably a bit more used to new faces arriving.

I was chatting to a mate of mine who lives in Portland, Oregon and he mentioned that Oregon and Washington State were expecting to triple their population over the next twenty years as the final waves of internal migration from East to West finished.

Not to say that we in the UK can’t absorb relatively large volumes of immigrants. We’ve done so before. There are large populations of Liths in Edinburgh for example from 4 waves of migration (pre WW1, post WW1, post WW2 and post-EU). We’re a fairly cosmopolitan nation. Brits have historically been to other countries and members of the . and Commonwealth have visited or moved to the UK.

GM

[Fred75]

[Big Ben]

Try again, Paul.

1/ The US has a lot more than land mass than Britain does and could absorb more immigrants.

2/ White Americans may get along, but there is lots of racial tension with blacks, with Mexican immigrants and with Asians.

3/ With the advent of tearrorrism and world overpopulation, assimilating immigrants may be getting harder rather than easier.

[Lena]

All are welcome !

But you have to want to be a American not just live here and also speak english .

We're getting milllions from Mexico and south America .Most aren't too concerned about becoming Americans and are not learning english like they should .There probably more racist politicians and yahoos among the hispanics then any group of real Americans .Those ingrates /scum want to see a nation within a nation now and maybe take over someday . .

[myron myron]

[ZiaAries]

Thanks for the above myron. I had thought the same when I read what you pointed out. It's not an accurate statement.

[Big Ben]

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/25/us/politics/25clinton.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

[myron myron]

[GayandProud]

[myron myron]

[Lena]

The only white people other white people here have contempt for are ..............................hillbillies!!!!!!!!!

[Cambridge]

[Big Ben]

The current racial hierarchy in the US is:

Whites - western European (north)
Whites - western European (south)
Whites - Aussie/NZ
Off Whites - Jews
Whites - eastern European
Whites - hillbillys
Asians (US definition)
Hispanics
Blacks
Native Americans
Middle Easterners (non Jewish)