Theodore Roosevelt’s ideas on Immigrants and being an AMERICAN in 1907:
"In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person’s becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American…There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn’t an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag… We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language… and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."
I invite ProgressiveU bloggers to respond to this blog, share your insight and opinions on the above speech by President Roosevelt. Do you agree or disagree with his statements and why? Do you think his beliefs on immigration should still apply for today and why?
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Agree, Immigrants should at least assimilate into our culture if they are going to stay. Many of them were I live (where they are a majoirity) fly Mexican flags and speak only Spanish, even if they know Engilsh. They should bother at least learning the language and customs of the country they are moving to. That only applies to legal immigrants not the illegal ones. There is a difference.
I think it's great if immigrants learn English. It gives them power to participate.
I love the culture that's available when groups of immigrants or people with common nationalities stick together. I love the little bar in the International District (chinatown) in Seattle. Families go there to sing kareoke and drink. They often sing kareoke in their native language. I love the Hmong neighborhoods in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Indian restaurants in strong indian neighborhoods.
I love hearing different languages, seeing different colors, tasting different foods. If immigrants fully "assimulate" these things will disappear.
The Sky is Falling, Recreate it for a Better Day
Speak softly and carry a big stick..I love Roosevelt. I think he was a great president.
America was and still is a big mixing pot. People come from all over the world and they bring their culture with them. This has changed America, but they have to remember where they are. Roosevelt had the right idea, but it was a different time. Maybe its just me, but things seem so complicated these days.