Assimilation in America The People, the Problems, the Poetry.

Assimilation in America: Defining an Idea “…the merging of cultural traits from previously distinct cultural groups, not involving biological amalgamation…” Random House Dictionary, 2010 “The process whereby a minority group gradually adopts the customs and attitudes of the prevailing culture.” American Heritage Dictionary, 2010 “…the social process of absorbing one cultural group into harmony with another…” WordNet, Princeton University, 2010

Melting Pot v. Salad Bowl

DREAM Act, 2010 Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act. Started in 2001, has gone through many changes since then. “The United States is missing out on talented workers and entrepreneurs, and is losing vital tax revenues and other economic contributions.” http://www.immigrationpolicy.org/just-facts/dream-act-2010

Approach Interviews Poetry Circulation I first conducted some interviews with immigrants/2nd generation immigrants I knew. Asked questions on culture shock, language and other societal obstacles. “I never thought about that.” Poetry Asked each person I interviewed if they’d be interested in sharing poetry on their experience with me. Submitting my own poetry. Circulation I created very cheap versions of “chapbooks” Each section contains a brief description of the poets and the country they came from. Distributing the chapbooks just to sort of “get the word out”. And shoe similarities between experiences.

Juan and Joy Pawirosetiko Ages: Juan 19, Joy 18 Nationality: Indonesian (Javanese) and French Born: Surinam

Selected Q&A – Juan & Joy Q: Why come to America? When? Parents wanted a better educational opportunity for them. August 3rd, 2001. Acquisition of Language? Culture? Parents were both fluent in English before moving. Babysitter was Guianese and Jamaican and spoke very Pidgin’d English to them both. They both felt that assimilation was easier for them because of the age. Culture Shock? Felt more of a culture shock when they returned to Surinam. Teased and called Americanized.

Jorge Duque Age: 24 Nationality: Colombian Born: Cali, Colombia

Selected Q&A – Jorge Duque Q: Why come to America? When? Because of violence, mostly due to drug trafficking 1989, at age 3 Acquisition of Language? Culture? Parents and two sisters only spoke Spanish Since he moved while young, learned it very quick. Learning English was different for parents. (Worries) People assuming you’re dumb because of an accent. Interesting Comments “My American friends do not consider me American…and my Colombian relatives do not consider me Colombian.” “I have now moved to France…in no way under the same circumstances as my parents…but it has taught me that assimilation is truly important…”

“Returning Home” Joy & Juan On either of their visits back to Surinam, they have felt that their family didn’t truly accept them as their own. Most notable were the differences between cultures. The attitude in Surinam is easy going, doing one thing at a time, as opposed to American (specifically New Yorker) attitudes. Judged on their clothes. Insisted on them speaking Dutch. Movie theaters considered a fancy outting. “It was like a weird kind of middle.

“Returning Home” Jorge Felt a mixture of emotions, “like I was ‘home’” “I also felt alienated by a ‘mass culture’ I was unaccustomed to.” Describes having grown up feeling like his “house” being Colombian and his “world” being American. Called “el gringo” by cousins and family. At first afraid of speaking to strangers because they would hear his accent and know he didn’t live there.

And Now, Some Poetry. Seemingly So, by Joy Pawirosetiko. Untitled, by Juan Pawirosetiko.

Reflection I think what mostly struck me were the similarities between the people I interviewed. I’d hoped to show more, but I ran out of chapbooks but can bring in more Thursday if you all really want some! I feel poetry is a great medium for expression of these different peoples, especially with bilingual poetry.