Race, Identity, and Immigration

My race, Caucasian, and my religion, Catholicism, has never come into quarrel with my identity as an American. Jokes are made sometimes by friends in regards to the fact that I attend a ultra religious school, but they are only jokes. Outside of my friends, nothing has ever been a problem. Also, I feel that sometimes people see being white as the dominant American identity. I've never thought of myself as an Irish-American or Italian-American, mostly because everyone I know is either one or the other. So, that is why I see myself as only American, with no race attached to my identity.

In regards to immigrants, I do not believe they should be forced to give up any of their beliefs, cultural or religious. They should embrace their new American identity, but be allowed to hold onto their own personal beliefs. BUT, when those beliefs or morals conflict with American law, then they must be put aside. For instance, I read about a case where a man killed another man for disrespecting his daughter. In his country it is okay to do this, it is a moral from his homeland, but he is in America. He must abide by the American law, no matter how it conflicts with his own cultural morals.

Language. There are many, many languages out there. And people coming into this country bring their native language with them, and that's okay. BUT, again, this is America. They must learn to speak the American language, English. Some can call this an ignorant view, but in order for society to function properly we need one universal language so we can communicate with one another coherently. Without this unity, miscommunications will occur, whether on a small scale (ie. dispute at the supermarket) or a larger scale (ie. mass trading of products between large corporations). We all need our personal independence and identity, but there must be a strong link between us so that our bonds are not broken.