New Immigrants in the United States

Today, Lindsay Peterson of The Tampa Tribune posted and article on immigrants in the United States (to read the short article click here: Immigrants Feel Unwelcome). 

According to Peterson, immigrants are increasingly feeling inhospitably and unsympathetic attitudes. Sociologists are noting that America's welcome is becoming artificial. When surveying 1,300 immigrants in South Florida, many felt unwelcome. Many of the immigrants stated "being harassed and feeling humiliated by immigration officials [in] airports". 

In another study, between 35 and 40% of immigrants who reported these feelings to officials were less likely to feel at home in the United States. The Census Bureau says 38.1 million or 12.6% of America's population is foreign-born (of the foreign-born population, 48% were Hispanic).

Peterson wrote U.S. officials are preoccupied with national security and worried about illegal immigrants. The unwelcoming attitudes towards the newcomers leave them less likely to get involved. These people are the ones bringing life back into communities that are falling apart and are taking the jobs no one else would want. 

The 1900s marked the beginning of the "melting pot". Since then, the separation between native and foreign cultures has begun to diminish, but some walls still remain. I think American's are being cowards for separating themselves from newcomers. Everyone in the United States is entitled to equality and freedom; this should include respect and understanding for others. Some of us are scared to look at things with a different perspective. Differences in language, customs, gestures, etc of other cultures shouldn't be weird just because of its unfamiliarity. And whenever we're not used to something or think it's strange, we instantly think our culture is better.

I simply don't get it. I really don't understand why we can't just see each other as different, but entirely equal and just as great. It's okay to have difference; we should want differences otherwise everyone in our country will be indistinguishable.

It's typical to take the ethnocentric attitude toward other cultures but it needs to stop. I think everyone looks at groups other than their own with skepticism; but despite being uncertain of people different than us, we should all keep open minds and know diversity is something this country should strive for.