Native American Assimilation

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Does Assimilation Have to be Black or White? In the discourse of cultural assimilation, the question has often arisen “to assimilate or not to assimilate”. Yet, this may no longer be the most productive question. Considering the United States is the country with the most immigrants worldwide (Budimen), the concept of assimilation may seem outdated to many, as there are so many cultures within the U.S. that conforming to one is no longer expected. However, this should not undermine the importance and benefits of assimilation. Engaging with multicultural literature such as Living Beyond Borders: Growing Up Mexican in America by Margarita Longoria, Neil Diamond’s Reel Injun, and Tommy Orange’s There There, showcases the internal dilemma individuals …show more content…
Firstly, European Americans used otherization as a coping mechanism to escape guilt over the Native American genocide because by mentally segregating Native Americans to a world of the past, this mindset alleviates the issue of modern Native peoples' rightful claim to land. Secondly, in the 1920s, European Americans harbored a rising fear of becoming Indian as they knew that one of the two groups would be forced to assimilate into the other’s culture. This fear prompted the manufacturing of the stereotype of the homogenized Native enemy, which served to unify European Americans by providing them with a point of differentiation and a threat to assert themselves against (Berney). This strategy for driving assimilation has been inconsistently successful. As previously noted, acts of violence and discrimination cause disdain among the minority, which inhibits assimilation. Yet, the effort was not entirely …show more content…
By observing Calvin, readers understand that for many complete assimilation is the only option; the brokenness of these environments strips youths of their cultural identities. It is imperative to recognize the dangers of cultural disconnection. Children deserve to have their cultural support system to guide them through navigating these tough environments, lest they endure a fate similar to Calvin’s. When confronted with these multicultural texts, it becomes evident that the most constructive approach to understanding assimilation is to perceive it as an individualized progression. Furthermore, this perspective fosters a healthy environment by empowering individuals to choose which aspects of each culture they wish to retain, without feeling confined to defined boundaries of what an American should look like. By reframing society's view of assimilation away from an all or nothing perspective, we can encourage greater exchange of perspectives, traditions and values. Thus, for the future of America, it will be advantageous to prioritize fellowship over
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