Vorschlag B1

Becoming America

Der vorliegende Vorschlag enthält in Aufgabe 3 alternative Arbeitsanweisungen.

Outline Johann N. Neem’s experiences growing up in the USA as an immigrant child.

(30 BE)

Analyze how the author conveys his view on “American-ness”.

(30 BE)

Choose one of the following tasks:

3.1

“Most of us have multiple communities to which we belong – and which make claims on us – and it is the relations between these sources of our identity that make us who we are.” (Material)

Taking the quote as a starting point, discuss the challenges and benefits of having a hybrid cultural identity.

3.2

You are participating in an international project on migration in different countries and your group has been assigned the United States.

Write an article for the project website in which you assess immigrants’ chances of fulfilling their American Dream today.

(40 BE)

Johann N. Neem: An American Childhood

In the 1970s, the author’s family emigrated from India to the USA when he was two years old. They were part of the first wave of immigrants after the removal of a law that favored European immigration in 1965.

Mine was an American childhood. We were middle class and lived on a cul-de-sac whose residents

were diverse in many of the usual American ways. There were Japanese-Americans and Catholics and

Protestants. There were people without college degrees, and others with graduate degrees. There

were Republicans and Democrats. There were immigrants from Germany, and of course we were from

India. [...]

I imagined that I could become anybody. I had no awareness then that this belief was the

result of more than two centuries of activism on the part of African Americans, feminists,

and their allies to earn equality within the American nation-state. It was California. The

American Dream was alive. Of course, that dream had been deferred for so many Americans

for too long. But after 1965, it was hoped, those obstacles would be behind us. Immigrants

would be welcome. African Americans would be equal. And despite the thus-far

unsuccessful effort to enact the Equal Rights Amendment, I grew up in a world that took for

granted that women too could be whomever they wanted to be.

There was a kind of amnesia. Maybe that’s not the right word. We were new. So maybe it was

that I just didn’t know the history, and my parents had experienced a different history.

Whatever it was, America was, for us, a blank slate. But it was not fully blank. It had rituals

and traditions for us to learn, such as giving gifts and spending time with family and friends

on Christmas or having barbecues on the Fourth of July. We gathered with neighbors to hunt

Easter eggs. It had norms, like saying “thank you” for any kind of service, a sign of the

respect each American owed fellow Americans for their contributions to society. It had a

creed, too – that the United States promised all people a better, freer, more prosperous life.

No doubt, my parents sometimes faced challenges and encountered prejudice. For all that I

shared with my neighbors and schoolmates, my family was also Indian American. I grew up

surrounded by family friends who were immigrants like us. That was fine too. In America, my

Indianness was part of a pluralistic civil society and market in which ethnic and religious

groups could sustain their beliefs and folkways. Growing up, I experienced no tension

between going to Berkeley for masala dosas in restaurants full of immigrants (and a few

hippies), and learning in school about my Pilgrim forebears. Nor was I told that my recent

arrival in America exempted me from responsibility for the evils of slavery and racism. As

part of the imagined community of the nation, I understood that the past was also a shared

burden.

Most of us have multiple communities to which we belong – and which make claims on us –

and it is the relations between these sources of our identity that make us who we are. It is

the tensions between some of these obligations, furthermore, that enable invaluable

self-criticism. As the political theorist Michael Walzer has written, a self whose identity is

made up of only one source is shallow and totalizing. What makes our differences – our

pluralism – sustainable is that one of the communities that define us – America – is shared

by most of us. We are many, but also one. This was the ideal of the so-called hyphenated

American. All Americans, native born or immigrant, had their particular ethnic and religious

identities, but we shared a common American-ness.

As a child, I thought that to be American was to believe in individuality, to support pluralism

and equality, and also to celebrate common holidays and eat common foods, such as the

oozy grilled cheeses and bean burritos that the school cafeteria dished up for us, or the

sloppy joes and tacos that my mom learned to cook (even though my favorite food remained

dahl and rice). On Halloween, it meant carving jack-o-lanterns and, in the evening, heading

out with friends for trick-or-treating. On Thanksgiving, it meant gathering with other

immigrant families and friends to eat turkey and express gratitude. Being American meant

that during the Christmas season, we kids would live in anticipation, poring through the toy

section of the Sears catalog. On the Fourth of July, we’d watch fireworks. At school, we said

the Pledge of Allegiance.

I lived in a world where we could all be American, not because of our cultural differences but

because of what we could share. This shared culture – this sense of being a people – is a

precondition to sustaining the universal ideals of American democracy. We like to pretend

that principles are enough, but abstract ideas are thin gruel for flesh-and-blood human

beings. We are not disembodied reasoners. We belong to groups. We have emotions. Culture

connects us to our country and to one another. But that culture depends on shared rituals

and experiences. Today, we are so afraid of offense that we risk privatizing the very culture

we once could share together.

My childhood memories of a diverse neighborhood and public school where we could all be

Americans reflect good fortune. There are many Americans who experience discrimination

and prejudice [...]. Since the American Revolution, activists have struggled to overcome

exclusion; we are still struggling today. But there is a meaningful distinction between seeking

access to the common life of the nation and deciding that that common life is itself the

problem. A shared culture requires something. It cannot simply be an absence.

Shared holidays are essential parts of culture. They mark time and endow it with meaning.

That is why the so-called “war over Christmas,” while overblown, is not silly. It reflects what

happens when rituals with collective meaning become contested and diminished. Just like

so much that once could be shared but now must belong to a “group,” Christmas has

become something that divides rather than unites. If everything and everyone belongs to a

subgroup, there can be no group, and with no group there can be no Americans.

Johann N. Neem: Unbecoming American, in: Hedgehog Review, Spring 2020, https://hedgehogreview.com/issues/monsters/articles/unbecoming-american (abgerufen am 14.01.2021)

Hinweis

Sprachliche Fehler in der Textvorlage wurden entsprechend der geltenden Norm korrigiert.
Zwischenüberschriften der Textvorlage wurden entfernt.

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Note:
Our solutions are listed in bullet points. In the examination, full marks can only be achieved by writing a continuous text. It must be noted that our conclusions contain only some of the possible aspects. Students can also find a different approach to argumentation.

Johann N. Neem's family emigrated from India to the USA in the 1970s when he was two years old
they were part of the first wave of immigrants after a law favoring European immigration was removed in 1965

Main Body
background

Neem's childhood was characterized by being surrounded by different cultural backgrounds, including Japanese, Catholic, Protestant, German and others.
America was a blank slate for his family, free from the history of their homeland
Neem felt no tension between his Native American heritage and his American identity
he accepted both his Native American background and the wisdom of his ancestors

cultural diversity and identity

growing up in California, Neem believed in the American dream, where you could become anything you wanted
the idea of equality and freedom was deeply rooted, influenced by the activism of African Americans, feminists, and their allies
America's pluralistic civil society allowed ethnic and religious groups to preserve their beliefs and traditions while sharing a common Americanness
culture connected people to their country and to each other through shared rituals and experiences
shared culture was essential to upholding the universal ideals of American democracy
however, fear of rejection and discrimination undermines sense of unity

The American Dream, culture and democracy

neem acknowledges that not all Americans have the same positive childhood experiences due to discrimination and prejudice
activists have long fought to overcome exclusion and continue to advocate for inclusion.

Challenges and discrimination

Shared holidays play a crucial role in culture, marking time and giving it meaning
Neem stresses the importance of maintaining a common culture to foster a sense of national identity and unity
It is important to celebrate diversity, but a common American culture is necessary to preserve the ideals of American democracy

common american identity

In "An American Childhood," Johann N. Neem conveys a positive and inclusive view of "American-ness," emphasizing the importance of shared culture and identity in sustaining the universal ideals of American democracy. His experiences as an immigrant child from India growing up in the USA shape his perspective on what it means to be American.

Introduction

Neem's belief in individuality and the idea that anyone can become anything is influenced by the activism of African Americans, feminists, and their allies striving for equality within the American nation-state. He shares the hope that after the removal of discriminatory immigration laws in 1965, obstacles to immigrants and African Americans achieving their dreams would be minimized.
Neem cherishes his Indian heritage alongside his American identity, believing that as a hyphenated American, one can embrace both their particular ethnic and religious identities while sharing a common American-ness.
Neem believes that being American means supporting pluralism, equality, and a shared culture. He associates American-ness with celebrating common holidays and consuming common foods, reflecting the cultural practices shared by most Americans.
Neem underscores the significance of a shared culture as a precondition to sustaining the universal ideals of American democracy. He argues that abstract principles alone are not enough; culture connects people to their country and to one another, promoting a sense of belonging.
Neem acknowledges the discrimination and prejudice experienced by some Americans, highlighting the ongoing struggle for inclusivity and equality. Despite challenges, he believes in seeking access to the common life of the nation rather than rejecting it altogether.
Neem addresses the contested nature of rituals with collective meaning, using the "war over Christmas" as an example of how shared culture can become divisive. He advocates for preserving shared holidays as essential components of culture, marking time and endowing it with meaning.
Neem expresses concern that the fear of offense may lead to privatizing culture, hindering the sense of shared identity that once united Americans. He emphasizes the need for unity among diverse groups to maintain a common American culture.

Main Body

Overall, Johann N. Neem's view on "American-ness" revolves around embracing cultural diversity, celebrating shared traditions and holidays, and striving for unity among Americans, both native-born and immigrants. He sees a shared culture as crucial for sustaining the ideals of American democracy and fostering a sense of national identity and belonging.

Conclusion

3.1

The quote, "Most of us have multiple communities to which we belong – and which make claims on us – and it is the relations between these sources of our identity that make us who we are," highlights the idea of having a hybrid cultural identity. A hybrid cultural identity refers to the situation where individuals belong to multiple cultural, ethnic, or social groups, and their sense of self is shaped by the interactions and relationships between these different sources of identity. This concept has both challenges and benefits, which are worth exploring:

Referring to the quote

Managing multiple cultural identities can be challenging, especially in contexts where these identities might conflict or be at odds with each other. Individuals with hybrid cultural identities often have to navigate complex situations and make choices about which aspects of their identity to prioritize in different settings.
People with hybrid cultural identities might sometimes feel like they don't fully belong to any single group. This sense of not fitting in entirely with any particular community can lead to feelings of isolation and alienation, particularly if one's identity is not readily recognized or accepted.
Individuals with hybrid cultural identities may encounter challenges in connecting with their heritage and roots. They might face rejection or misunderstanding from both their original culture and the culture of the adopted country if they are seen as not fully belonging to either.

Main Body
Challenges of Hybrid Cultural Identity

Growing up with diverse cultural influences can cultivate adaptability and open-mindedness. People with hybrid cultural identities often develop a broader perspective and are more receptive to different ideas and perspectives.
Many individuals with hybrid cultural identities can speak multiple languages and easily communicate with people from various cultural backgrounds. This linguistic and cross-cultural competence can be advantageous in a globalized world.
Having exposure to different cultures and traditions enriches one's life experiences. It allows individuals to participate in various cultural celebrations, festivals, and practices, adding depth and diversity to their lives.
People with hybrid cultural identities can serve as bridges between different communities, fostering understanding and promoting cultural exchange. They may play a crucial role in building bridges of communication and empathy between diverse groups.
Navigating the complexities of hybrid cultural identities can lead to increased resilience and flexibility. Individuals learn to embrace their unique identity, adapting to different environments while maintaining a sense of self.

Benefits of Hybrid Cultural Identity

In conclusion, having a hybrid cultural identity presents both challenges and benefits. While it may involve complexities in navigating multiple cultural affiliations, it also offers individuals the opportunity to develop open-mindedness, cross-cultural communication skills, and a rich tapestry of life experiences. Embracing and celebrating the diverse aspects of one's identity can lead to personal growth, bridge-building, and a more inclusive society that values and appreciates the multifaceted nature of human identity

Conclusion

3.2

Assessing Immigrants' Chances of Fulfilling the American Dream Today

Title

The United States has long been hailed as the land of opportunity, where immigrants from diverse backgrounds arrive with dreams of achieving success, prosperity, and a better life for themselves and their families. The concept of the "American Dream" embodies the belief that hard work, determination, and merit can lead to social mobility and success. However, as we delve into the present state of migration in the United States, it becomes imperative to critically assess immigrants' chances of fulfilling this American Dream today.

Introduction

the economic landscape of the United States plays an important role in determining immigrants' opportunities to achieve the American dream
over the years, the country has experienced fluctuations in economic growth, labor market conditions, and income inequality
country has struggled with economic challenges, including wage stagnation, a rising cost of living, and an increasingly competitive labor market
for immigrants, especially those with limited resources or language barriers, these factors can pose significant hurdles to economic prosperity

Main Body
economic landscape

U.S. immigration policies have a significant impact on immigrants' experiences in the country
policies related to visa quotas, asylum seekers, family reunification, and employment-based immigration affect immigrants' chances of achieving their American dream
frequent changes in immigration regulations can create uncertainty and difficulty for aspiring immigrants
make it difficult for them to integrate into society and take advantage of opportunities

immigration policy and legal hurdles

social integration is critical for immigrants to feel a sense of belonging and participate fully
language barriers, cultural differences, and discrimination can hinder the process of social integration and make it difficult for immigrants to connect with their communities
can lead to social isolation and limit immigrants' opportunities to achieve their American dream

social integration and cultural barriers:

access to health care and social services is another critical factor affecting immigrants' overall well-being and their chances of achieving the American dream
ensuring equal access to health care and social services can empower immigrants and contribute to their overall success and integration.
discouraged by complex health care systems, resulting in inadequate access to needed health care.

health care and social services

assessing immigrants' chances of fulfilling the American Dream today requires a comprehensive understanding of various socio-economic, political, and cultural factors
while the United States continues to offer numerous opportunities for success and prosperity, there are also significant challenges that immigrants face on their journey towards achieving the American Dream
it is crucial for policymakers, communities, and stakeholders to work collaboratively to address these challenges, fostering an inclusive environment that supports immigrants' integration and success.
by acknowledging and addressing these factors, we can strive to make the American Dream a more attainable reality for all immigrants in the United States

Conclusion

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