Americanization

I received an email from a co-worker this week in the wake of the Mexican protests about immigration. It's a chain mail letter that's been circulating the 'net for a while now but is apparently increasing in popularity. I've seen immigration from both sides having basically lived as one myself in Brazil then bringing my Brazilian wife over here as an immigrant. Below is the original email followed by my response to the co-worker who sent it to me:

Subject: Theodore Roosevelt's ideas

Theodore Roosevelt's ideas on Immigrants and being an AMERICAN in 1907."In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American an assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American. ..There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language.. And we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."

Theodore Roosevelt 1907

PLEASE, Pass This On!!!!

This was my response to the sender:

Thank you for sending me this email; it is certainly fodder for intellectual banter. As I’m sure you are aware, I have very strong views with regards to immigration. If I may add some thoughts…

“Americanization” was a subject Roosevelt became very passionate about during the last years of his life. I don’t really study history too much but I do study immigration quite a bit, that’s the only reason I know! Anyway, he actually did not write this in 1907, he wrote it in 1919, 3 days before he died. It is part of a larger letter that he wrote to the American Defense Society (I had to look that part up).

I agree with Roosevelt on many of the subjects about which he spoke but I think he went too far on more than one occasion. He was the first one, for example, to say, "Every immigrant who comes here should be required within five years to learn English or to leave the country," something that has been repeated by countless politicians and citizens since. I personally feel that this statement by Roosevelt is absolutely absurd. Not everyone is capable of learning a new language in just 5 years, especially those who come from countries whose native language finds its roots in anything but Latin.

To the best of my knowledge, Roosevelt never attempted to learn a second language. In fact, he vehemently opposed that any language but English be taught in public schools. To impose a penalty as severe as deportation as opposed to say, additional assistance to those who required it, demonstrates Roosevelt’s ignorance on this subject. Not only that but I think this particular idea gives us some insight as to how Roosevelt truly felt about immigrants. I find his attitude baffling considering that 100 years ago most American’s own immigrant forefathers were so much less distant as compared to today.

While I do agree that we should all be united under one common banner, it is my own opinion that Roosevelt’s philosophy of “Americanization” is outdated and out of place in modern-day America. I would even go so far as to say that Roosevelt used his political cunning to hide more malicious thoughts behind his public image.

I’d love to hear your opinion if you’d like to respond…

Thanks again,
Ben

I subsequently received an apology from the sender. I wasn't offended, however. I fact, it was enjoyable to be able to discuss an issue that is significant to me with an intelligent individual.

One final thought on the original message. I don't think that many who send this email around truly understand what Roosevelt said in this letter. In Roosevelt's words, "...it's an outrage to discriminate against any such man... But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American."

Maybe people don't understand what predicated means. He said that it's wrong to discriminate against any man so long as they act like Americans. That implies that if any immigrant retains their individuality it's okay to discriminate against them! I can't even begin to imagine what would happen if the President of the United States said that same thing today!

Roosevelt is one of the most well known and beloved presidents and his ideology had a place in American society in the early 1900's. We should remember, however, what the country was like in those days. Whites dominated, segragation was the norm, and racism was socially acceptable. In that context Roosevelt was exceptionally tolerant. I'd like to think, however, that we've progressed in the last 100 years and that statements like these are no longer appropriate.