In the current discourse of various issues within the political and policy arenas, the term, “assimilate” or “assimilation” are used to describe the act or process of individuals who immigrate into the United States of America from another nation.
What does assimilation have to do with immigrants coming into the U.S.? Quite simply, if an individual or family assimilates, they have actively chosen to acquire aspects of the culture and law that demonstrate their allegiance to the nation selected for their destination and to support our freedoms.
At the very heart of assimilation is deciding to be an American. Funny, it seems as if there’s an ongoing concerted effort to redefine the exceptionalism of being an American – to view English as the language of freedom, to honor the basic tenets of our democratic republic, to strive independently for excellence while bringing value to your community, just to name a few characteristics.
Assimilation serves a civic good and cultivates opportunities for shared goals and traits. For clarity, assimilation is not a demand to abandon heritage but instead to embrace the best of that which makes America great.
Take, for instance, the simple practice of speaking and writing in English. The role of communication in American culture cannot be overstated. Whether in social media and friendly exchanges or in employment, effective communication is a mandatory ingredient to any successful enterprise, ranging from a physician effectively treating a patient with the highest techniques in medicine to completing a fast-food order.
Yet, the expectation for immigrants to speak English is frowned upon by those who view any call for unity, not uniformity, and a devotion to America as nativist and, yes, even racist.
On our nation’s birthday, July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress appointed a committee to design “a seal for the United States of America.” Through that design process, a national motto was selected as suggested by Pierre Eugene du Simitiere, an American born in Geneva, Switzerland, to represent the multitude of nations from which individuals emigrated to form America. “E Pluribus Unum,” out of many one, has been imprinted on our currency, emblazoned within architecture, artwork and official documents.
“E Pluribus Unum,” in an earlier day, was emblazoned upon the hearts of our citizens, naturalized or natural born, and a part of our daily lives to honor and defend our nation and its sovereignty. Thanks to “progressive” activism and “transformative” indoctrination, however, most aspects of our culture – academia, pop culture and our government at all levels – now glorifies the “Unum” and not the “Pluribus”.
The louder one can cry in demanding “safe zones” and position themselves as victims of institutionalized oppression of any sort – economic, racial, etc. – the greater the applause. The more aggressively a group organizes around its hyphenated status or distinguishing qualifier that separates it from average Americans, the better and more culturally accepted.
In essence, if you’re a cultural or social bully that insults America, you will win accolades of the governing elite whose esteem is poll-driven as a function of popularity, not principle.
Interestingly, assimilation in every area of our society except immigration is viewed as critical to survival for an organization, corporation, community or individual.
If you are the recipient of an organ transplant or even a simple transfusion of blood, the compatibility of that foreign entity must be established to either match or approximate its host, or an anaphylaxis that kills is likely to result.
America must address assimilation as a mandatory facet of immigration to survive. The “Pluribus” depends on it.
Robin Smith, a former Tennessee Republican Party chairwoman, is the owner of Rivers Edge Alliance.