Sue E. King
Liberty University
Abstract This paper summarizes assimilation theories in the past and in today’s society. Neoclassical and segmented theory were presented however, the segmented theorist argue there’s a dissimilarity between Europeans and non-European immigrants in today’s society. Non- European immigrants face racial barriers in the United States. Acculturation and the four acculturative attitudes were summarized. The four acculturative attitudes are marginalization, separation, assimilation, and integration. Research gave light on the cultivation of racism in the California State University system. Institutional racism which is present in businesses, courts, jails, politics, and cultural life was also defined and discussed. There is a need for race talks in the field of family and systemic psychotherapy to improve therapist development. Interpersonal and internalized oppression was discussed and analyzed. The mental scars of racism has left blacks and minority ethnic groups at risk for mental illness. Healing racism is crucial and can be accomplished through special programs like healing racism, teaching the teachers, and education; success in these programs will empower cultures to embrace the oneness of mankind. Keywords: racism, oppression, oneness
Racism and Culture As immigrants assimilated and later acculturated into the mainstream of the United States, racism began to take its place in American history. The stains of racism still remain in today’s society. There are various cultures that have shared the trials and tribulations of racism conversely, many people repudiate the fact that racism even exist. The beauty of the United States of America is that each group, culture, or individual has the freedom to go and do as they please. Racial differences survives in every culture nevertheless, racism cannot be ignored. Racism silently exist in institutions, the field of family and systemic psychotherapy and the work place even so, the mission on race is far from being over. The goal is to teach teachers with culturally sensitive curriculum’s a way to counter assaults against targeted populations. The purpose of this research is to identify racism as it exists against many diverse cultures; in hopes by some means, that cultures may share social values of equality and integrity in order to heal racism while sharing the oneness of humankind.
Assimilation
According to Diller (2011) “This country, they argue, has grown rich on the labor of successive generations of immigrants and refugees, and our reward should be the same as Whites─full citizenship and equal access to resources as guaranteed in the Constitution” (p. 34). When individuals assimilate into another culture they give up all ties to their own culture. Assimilation theories in the past are actual much different from today’s assimilation theories they have new populations of immigrants to deal with (Jung, 2009). Assimilation theories has distinguish the shortcomings of the past and recommend definite changes to get past them (Jung, 2009). According to Jung (2009) the two key components of assimilation theory are the neoclassical theory and the segmented assimilation theory. Neoclassic theory believe assimilation continue to go on, like those in past centuries (Jung, 2009).
Segmented assimilation theory believe in right now and not the past; they believe there are additional ways to enter the main stream United States such as selective withholding of ethnicity additionally, downward mobility is another way to enter the mainstream United States (Jung, 2009). Segmented assimilation theorist believe that maintaining one’s culture can shield children of immigrants against detrimental consequences like dropping out of school, becoming involved in gangs and using drugs (Xie & Greeenman, 2011). Segmented assimilation theorists argue that present non-European migrants and their