Objective 4- To identify the “dominant culture” (sometimes referred to as a “core culture”) to which immigrants assimilate […] this section of the course tries to answer, “What kind of culture do immigrants assimilate to?”

 

American pride rests almost completely in the ideal of a democratic society where everyone may carry their own opinion and has a chance to do something better with themselves…

 

¶     (IA pgs. 25-6) “’All right.’ Mrs Hamma had composed herself.  ‘Very good; you can come here and state your views.  That is what America is all about!  We may not agree with you, but we defend your right to an opinion.  And as long as you are in this classroom, Mr. Torres, you are in America.  Now, everyone, let us give Mr. Torres the same courtesy as everyone else in this class.’”

 

¶     (“Soap and Water” p. 107) “Suddenly, there came upon me this inspiration.  I can go to college!  There I shall learn to express myself, to voice my thoughts.  But I was not prepared to go to college.  The girl in the cigar factory, in the next block, had gone first to a preparatory school.  Why shouldn’t I find a way, too?”

 

But the dominant culture skews that ideal so only people meeting the qualifications enforced are able to join the community.

 

¶     (IA p. 26) “Mrs. Hamma applauded with a polite light clap, then turned to the next speaker,” yet she led everyone in healthy applause for the other speakers.

 

¶     (“Soap and Water” pg. 107) “Until I came to college I had been unconscious of my clothes.  Suddenly, I felt people looking at me at arm’s length, as if I were crooked or crippled, as if I had come to a place where I didn’t belong, and would never be taken in.”

 

The difference between the American ideal of a democratic society in which anyone who works hard may find a place here and the dominant view comes completely clear when we compare the situations of Stephan and the girl in “Soap and Water.”

 

¶     (IA p. 27) Stephan, who can barely speak English but is clean and well-educated in his native language leaves Mrs. Hamma stunned.  “’Well,’ she said, almost breathless, ‘that’s admirable!  I’m sure, sir, that you will do well… a person of your… like yourself, I mean… a professor, after all, it’s really just admirable.”

 

¶     (“Soap and Water” pg. 109)  She has sacrificed everything, including her dignity, only to find she cannot get worthwhile work despite her degree and wants “the whole world to know the college was against democracy in education, that clothes form the basis of class distinctions, that after graduation the opportunities for the best positions are passed out to those who are best-dressed.”

 

Though it is touted that all Americans and immigrants are able to achieve success here, it is obvious that only those who fit in the mold of the dominant culture command a position of worth despite hard work.  With this as the case, what is there really to offer to people like Mr. Torres, who choose to come here to set themselves up well enough to go back home, that will change their minds and give them reason to settle here instead?  I say we still have this problem today considering the overwhelming mindset toward high fashion and beauty.

 

Any questions, comments, differing opinions?

 

What other appearances of the dominant culture did you notice?