Assimilation of Immigrants
As the prodigy of visible minority immigrants, I've seen first hand the struggles that new immigrants face. Torn between a society in the old country and a new foreign society, many are often left with a difficult decision. Do I assimilate or do I remain true to my roots. Many things skew immigrants to chose the latter, the feeling of not belonging, perceived racism, not being knowledgeable about the language, culture and society, however I think it is the wrong choice.
As you possibly can tell, my parents chose the former, they chose to embrace Canada and all it's people. The first thing I think they did right was that they didn't move to an Indian enclave, the first lived in an area quite diverse. This was helpful as it forced my parents to improve their English, they learned about different cultures, got to try different foods, etc. After that, when all their Indian friends headed to Brampton (Bramladesh), they headed to Pickering. From there they raised us in mainstream society, not forgetting the past, but knowing that our future was here in Canada.
So many immigrants, in my opinion, try to re-create the old country here. They never learn the language (well) and therefore are forced to interact with "their own kind" only. Many people call me and my sisters "Coconuts". (Brown on the outside, white in the middle) but I don't care. I have not betrayed India, I was born here, and I grew up here. I have no loyalty to India. That being said, I still know a lot about it, I know about the culture, religion, language and traditions of my parent's homeland, but I also know the same about my homeland.
Today's immigrants have a different view. They come here with unreal expectations, and when things don't go right they usually play the racism card. The congregate and cluster in ghettos of their own people and expect society and Canada to accomodate them rather than the other way around.
This is a touchy subject and that's why I brought it up!
As the prodigy of visible minority immigrants, I've seen first hand the struggles that new immigrants face. Torn between a society in the old country and a new foreign society, many are often left with a difficult decision. Do I assimilate or do I remain true to my roots. Many things skew immigrants to chose the latter, the feeling of not belonging, perceived racism, not being knowledgeable about the language, culture and society, however I think it is the wrong choice.
As you possibly can tell, my parents chose the former, they chose to embrace Canada and all it's people. The first thing I think they did right was that they didn't move to an Indian enclave, the first lived in an area quite diverse. This was helpful as it forced my parents to improve their English, they learned about different cultures, got to try different foods, etc. After that, when all their Indian friends headed to Brampton (Bramladesh), they headed to Pickering. From there they raised us in mainstream society, not forgetting the past, but knowing that our future was here in Canada.
So many immigrants, in my opinion, try to re-create the old country here. They never learn the language (well) and therefore are forced to interact with "their own kind" only. Many people call me and my sisters "Coconuts". (Brown on the outside, white in the middle) but I don't care. I have not betrayed India, I was born here, and I grew up here. I have no loyalty to India. That being said, I still know a lot about it, I know about the culture, religion, language and traditions of my parent's homeland, but I also know the same about my homeland.
Today's immigrants have a different view. They come here with unreal expectations, and when things don't go right they usually play the racism card. The congregate and cluster in ghettos of their own people and expect society and Canada to accomodate them rather than the other way around.
This is a touchy subject and that's why I brought it up!
