Arturo Islas Migrant Souls: The Lonely Effects of Assimilation Essay

The Lonely Effects of immersionThe Europeans who claimed what was to become America chose to integrate the lands present inhabitants and future immigrants in arrange to become the dominating race and, consequently, made other cultures feel inferior to their own. The Angel family, Mexican-Indian immigrants and the subject of Arturo Islas Migrant Souls, becomes victim to the Americans forceful demands for conformity. While Sancho, the father, neer complains about assimilation, yet never becomes fully assimilated, his wife, Eduviges, strives to be a startle of the American culture. These conflicting reactions and the existing prejudice in the community discontinue their daughter, Josie, uncertain of her true identity.In the early 1830s, Mexican-Indians, seeking a transgress life in the land of opportunity, crossed the border into America only when to find themselves and all who followed forced to assimilate to a new culture. The sinlessness Americans pushed their food, their be liefs, their clothing style, and the English language upon these immigrants. Some of the seemingly brainwashed Mexican-Indians axiom the American actions as signs of kindness and acceptance. Yet, fearful others considered being caught by the unbending American border patrol a fate worse than closing (490). Immigration officers warned outside(prenominal)-looking people to carry citizenship identification at all times, and they sneaked up on innocent dark-skinned people, and deported them, possibly also making them suffer odious mortifications (484, 486). Those legally able to reach America became subjected to American ideals and customs. The whites relocated those indisposed to live the accepted American lifestyle to specified areas. Aware of this law, Sancho cynically w... ...the use of both the Spanish and English languages and the description of a repast of menudos, gorditas, and Coca-Cola symbolize Josies two identities--Mexican and American.In the Angel family, as well as in the families of other immigrants, the power of assimilation results in feelings of despair, uncertainty, and inferiority. Eduviges and Sanchos opposing thoughts on the American culture impact their familys events every day. Constantly in the straw man of completely different opinions, young Josie wanders farther from the realization of her identity. And so, forcing families to conform to foreign societies may cause conflicts and destroy the childs sense of self.Works CitedIslas, Arturo. From Migrant Souls. American Mosaic Multicultural Readings in Context. Eds. Gabriele Rico, Barbara Roche and Sandra Mano. Boston Houghton Mifflin Co. 1995. 483-491.