Arturo Islas Migrant Souls: The Lonely Effects of Assimilation Essay

The Lonely Effects of AssimilationThe Europeans who claimed what was to become America chose to integrate the lands present inhabitants and future immigrants in order to become the authoritarian race and, consequently, made other cultures feel inferior to their own. The Angel family, Mexican-Indian immigrants and the subject of Arturo Islas Migrant Souls, becomes victim to the Americans forceful demands for conformity. While Sancho, the father, never complains about assimilation, yet never becomes fully assimilated, his wife, Eduviges, strives to be a part of the American culture. These conflicting reactions and the existing prejudice in the community leave their daughter, Josie, uncertain of her true identity.In the archeozoic 1830s, Mexican-Indians, seeking a better life in the land of opportunity, crossed the border into America only to find themselves and all who followed forced to assimilate to a new culture. The white Americans pushed their food, their beliefs, their clothing style, and the English language upon these immigrants. Some of the seemingly brainwashed Mexican-Indians saw the American actions as signs of kindness and acceptance. Yet, fearful others considered being caught by the strict American border patrol a fate worse than death (490). Immigration officers warned foreign-looking people to carry citizenship identification at all times, and they sneaked up on innocent dark-skinned people, and deported them, possibly also making them suffer unspeakable mortifications (484, 486). Those legally able to reach America became subjected to American ideals and customs. The whites relocated those unwilling to have it off the accepted American lifestyle to specified areas. Aware of this law, Sancho cynically w... ...the use of both the Spanish and English languages and the description of a meal of menudos, gorditas, and Coca-Cola symbolize Josies twain identities--Mexican and American.In the Angel family, as well as in the families of other immigra nts, the power of assimilation results in feelings of despair, uncertainty, and inferiority. Eduviges and Sanchos opposing thoughts on the American culture conflict their familys events every day. Constantly in the presence of completely different opinions, young Josie wanders farther from the realization of her identity. And so, forcing families to conform to foreign societies may cause conflicts and destroy the childs sand of self.Works CitedIslas, Arturo. From Migrant Souls. American Mosaic Multicultural Readings in Context. Eds. Gabriele Rico, Barbara Roche and Sandra Mano. Boston Houghton Mifflin Co. 1995. 483-491.