Faron Samford

Easing into the Dominant Culture

            The establishment of the dominant culture of modern American society is the result of the early national migrations of people of the Jewish faith from the story of Exodus and that of the pilgrims who brought the basis of our culture to America with them. The early Jewish cultures greatly influenced the formation of Western Civilization, particularly in Europe where most of the members of the dominant culture can trace their ancestry. Typical identifying markers of the dominant culture are Christian, light-skinned people of European descent who speak English as a primary language. Members of immigrant groups from cultures that carry many of these same identities, or have close ties to them historically tend to be model migrants.

            The national migration, where an entire people and culture move, of the Jewish people from the Exodus story from the Egypt, was an inspiration to the pilgrims who came to settle the shores of America. Much like the people of Exodus, the pilgrims of Of Plymouth Plantation, migrated to a new land but brought their own language, religion and culture with them. Instead of assimilating to the culture and ways of the people they came to live near, they established separate societies from the indigenous people of the land and merely relocated.  Like the Jewish family from Bread Givers, who immigrated to America, but still lived in a Jewish community with their father being the keeper of the faith for their new area of settlement.

            Another similarity between these two identities is the literary basis of their cultures. Having their faith and ideals expressed in written texts instead of stone foundations allowed them to be portable and to escape persecution by taking their beliefs with them when they move. Thus instead of having to assimilate to the culture they were travelling to as later immigrant groups would have to do, they were able to establish the dominant culture. The ability of the Jewish people to migrate to the dominant culture in America comes from their historical shared values since the European continent was greatly shaped by Judeo-Christian values and ideals.

            Indian and Pakistani immigrants are often considered to be part of the model minorities because of a common shared history with European nations. While religious ideals are different, the effect of the British dominance over India has much to do with their ability to conform to the dominant culture. Indian society is greatly shaped by the years of British control and so shares many values with the American dominant culture, one of the biggest being English as a common language. The lack of a language barrier assists in the ability of these immigrants to blend into the dominant culture. . . . This cultural dream to improve yourself through education and work are characteristics that help model minorities assimilate to the dominant culture.

            Before this course, I had never given much thought to the concept of model minorities. The stories that we read and discussions have made me better understand how it is they are defined as such, and why their transition to America is a smoother one than other immigrant groups. Sharing similar cultural values and especially the importance of sharing a common language of English gives these minorities less of the culture shock many of the other immigrant groups must face when confronted with the dominant culture.