Experiences of The Immigrants in The US

Experiences of The Immigrants in The US

Taking this class has been the most enlightening session in my entire life. I have not only learned about immigration but also the reasons that spurred the migration and how the Japanese immigrants dwelled in the United States, the formation of ethnicities in the United States culture, the rise of racism. I also came to read about the immigration of the Chinese into California and the struggle of the government to rid some of the Chinese following the rise in populations, using the Chinese Exclusion Act Clause. From most of this ethnic immigration to the US, one thing is for sure, and the immigrants played a significant role in the development of the economy of the United States.

Additionally, I also learned about identity generation from the reading, A Shocking Fact of Life, and I found the book intriguing, especially the choice of words that the narrator used in the story (Sone). Most interestingly, the narrator explained that he did not like the sudden change of events, following the discovery that he had Japanese blood, and this would come between his affairs since he would have to spare his playing time in the afternoon. The story is further unusual in that it shows a dedicated family that struggles to gain an identity in both the society and the economy as well. Through this, I came to learn that the nature of society. Some years back required that a person becomes assertive for the person to get employed. All these revolved around the life and experience of the immigrants in the US as they struggled to settle and fit into the system.

I also found various aspects, such as the construction of agriculture, that eventually boosted the economy of the United States. From the establishment of the firms and agricultural sites, I realized that the immigrants were not only skilled, but most of them were hard workers. The success of agriculture in these areas was facilitated by the favorable climatic conditions as well as the availability of human resources through labor that was throughout the growth process. As much as this is not the first discovery of agriculture, the organization of these workers and the production seasons proclaimed determination and extensive research that had been done on the most useful plants to go with in plantation business.

Learning about the second-generation immigrants was also an interesting fact, considering that they are the children whose parents struggled to settle down and find employment after coming into the United States. Some of the factors that rise in this case include the cultural integration between the immigrants born in the US and the culture of the United States. The conflict between these cultures is very enlightening since the parents want their children to live according to their home culture. Yet, the modern aspects such as technology are influencing the growth of second-generation immigrants. From the schools these children go to and the friends they make, they gradually adapt to the new culture. On the positive light, however, the unique culture brings the best out of these people, and they assimilate into the culture of Americanism. Following the survey of the second-generation immigrants, the American culture has aided in creating open-minded individuals who do not only exploit their talents to the best of their abilities, and their contribution to the United States. Additionally, these immigrants become citizens of the United States by birth.

Part 2

I would wish to explore more on the topic of the problem of generations. I feel that this topic has more to offer in the aspect of cultural influence, upbringing, neighborhood, and above all, the original roots of the second-generation immigrants. Arguably, the second-generation immigrants are notably better in terms of language, cultural assimilation, and even their way of reasoning as opposed to their parents. It is unimaginable to leave one’s County and settle in another, with a new environment and people around. Research has it that second-generation immigrants often have conflicts with their parents when it comes to as a result of what culture to adopt. According to chapter five, Azuma supports that “how did Issei leaders expect the American-born to carry own Japanese development in the face racial subordination” (130). I would like to understand the reasons why the Issei leaders thought it wise to instill their aboriginal culture on the American-born.  The conflict that existed between the parents and the American born immigrant was mainly because of the American culture. Most of the immigrants settled on the neighborhoods with the minority, and with all the struggle and the bad things that people had to do to survive, the Japanese immigrant believed that their children should instead learn of their home culture.

The reason why I want to know more about this topic is that it offers insight into the experience of the immigrants once they settled in the united states. Ideally, life was not easy for most of the parents since they had to focus on finding the right place to settle and raise kids and, at the same time, look for employment opportunities. Arguably, most of the first-generation immigrants were mainly driven by the available employment opportunity, and they were seeking a better life. Through working hard and making numerous sacrifices, these people provided a home for their children. Azuma supports that “they came to this strange land, unable to speak the language of the people who dwell here” (111).  I would love to understand some of the issues that pushed the first-generation immigrants to discourage assimilation into the American culture. Identifying the aspects of the American customs that are not regarded as reasonable by the Japanese immigrant will be useful in enhancing my knowledge about the reason behind the Nisei problem.

Most interestingly, I would love to dig deeper into the Nisei problem and understand it more. From the knowledge that I acquired through the class; it is to my understanding that the idea of the immigrant children being caught between the influences of the old world are some of the factors that are yielding to the Nisei problem. Following the changing times and the new generation immigrants in place, the Nisei had to establish a movement that was made up of mainly parents and elders, whose reasoning was bent towards the establishment of the ethnic culture in the new country. Following this, they initiated rules that guided aspects of marriage, education, and even racial identity. Azuma explains that “the nisei conception of generational dilemma did not presume naturalness as did the white assimilation theories” (113). It is interesting that second-generation immigrants were finding themselves in a cultural dilemma, and they had to look back every time they wanted to make a decision. As much as many of them believed that they would rather live their lives freely, these American born children of immigrants have been bound by the culture and traditions of their parents and their identity as Japanese immigrants.

Unlike the children of the immigrants, the parents continue to work and provide for the children’s needs. The Japanese immigrants, for instance, have been known to be hardworking on the firm, and their efforts and abilities can see this at the production in the firms. From taking this class, I came to understand that a large part of the American economy in the 1930s was mainly driven by agriculture, which was done by Japanese immigrants. Following this, I would love to expound on my knowledge regarding the specific farming methods that they used and how effective these methods were in generating an excellent production that, in turn, led to huge profits. According to Azuma, “Japanese community’s livelihood revolved around agriculture and allied pursuits such as wholesale distribution, transportation and retailing” (114). Farming continued to be the only source of employment for these immigrants to the point that the market was no longer profitable, and the immigrant workers could not be paid well. Due to the need to survive, the immigrants had to seek alternative ways of supporting their families, and that is when they entered into the search for white-collar jobs. The search for employment was not an easy one for most of them since most of them lacked experience, and those who had were not compatible with the requirements of us. Other than that, the immigrants were many, and they were all competing for the same white-collar jobs. Following the need for papers before employment, some of the immigrants went to school to gain knowledge so that they can acquire work that pays better. It is interesting to learn of the ways through which the Japanese immigrants developed themselves out of necessity, and by doing so, even the parents who were against adopting the American culture ended up living according to the American way.

Part 3

I was particularly intrigued by the topic of ethnic solidarity. Initially, I thought that it was a term that was used to refer to the immigrants coming together and fighting for their rights. However, I came to learn that the word has more to offer than what most people believe. Most of the ethnic solidarity groups were formed to enhance the ability of the immigrants to live up to one another. The empowerment was to be done in all aspects of the society, including the establishment of equality among these people in the American culture. Ideally, as a result of racism that was deeply rooted in America following the African American fight for equal justice, immigrants were mistreated. The ethnic solidarity movement aimed at getting rid of the increasing mistreatment of these people. Takaki informs that “while agriculture and railroad employers of Japanese laborers were willing to include Japanese in the subordinate economic and social roles, white generally scorned their very presence” (180). The rise in racism continued to make the lives of the immigrants a living hell in American society. Racism impacted on their inability to acquire proper housing, to their attempt to get white-collar jobs.

One interesting factor about ethnic solidarity, however, is the fact that they were united and supported one another to overcome most of the issues that they faced as a result of racial injustices and unemployment. The whites gave the Japanese nicknames, and this was an excellent example of racial discrimination. Similarly, other ethnic groups had challenges such as housing, and proper employment opportunities are yet challenging that these immigrants face. The main reason why I was attracted to these groups is the fact that they could stand in together and fight their way towards achieving a common goal. The formation of ethnic enterprises was one of the things the ethnic minorities did in efforts to empower themselves. Takaki argues that “40% of the Japanese immigrants had made America their permanent home” (181). Since the nation was becoming their home, there was the need to settle and find a source of income that would support their lives and that of their children. The funny part about racism, however, is the fact that the newcomers were often treated as different, and they had to taste their share of aloneness even among their fellow ethnicities. Most of the Japanese immigrants thought it wise to come to the US and focus on making their lives better through working hard. Their problem was mainly racism that had its roots buried deep into the American culture. Takaki explains that most of the time, racial discrimination was witnessed when the whites spat on the roads and walkways of the Japanese immigrants. These kept the Japanese at bay, and this explains why they did not want their children to take after the American culture. Ideally, the rate and nature of hatred between the communities simply because of differences in the color of skin was not healthy.

The concept of racial discrimination and how Takaki expresses it was the catchiest part of the whole narrative. I particularly liked the line that Takaki says, “Japanese workers found out their employers had virtually no interest in their welfare” (183). I can imagine the disappointment that was written all over their faces and how they saw the American culture to be cruel. In as much as racial discrimination continually weighed down the Japanese immigrants, they continued to push. With the steadfast hope that they will have it better in the coming future, these people worked even harder and took active roles in the policies and campaigns for their rights. Since most of the Japanese immigrants could barely afford proper housing, they would settle at the plantations where they work as farmers. The conditions were not only good but also the weather. These people would be exposed to direct heat from the sun, and they would occasionally be drawn into making shelters where they would chill until the sunsets. During the summers, the place was unbearable, and this was the case for the winter period. Similarly, racial discrimination extended to the point that the minority neighborhoods were used for dumping garbage, and this exposed most of them to various illnesses and poor conditions that significantly affected their wellbeing. It is encouraging, however, that regardless of everything, these people were able to live and make a living in the United States.

Conclusively, this course has opened my eyes to several factors that I had not known earlier. The experiences of most of the immigrants in the new nation was not a smooth one, and one can tell by the high levels of discrimination that they were exposed to regardless of tehri efforts in developing the American agriculturally based economy. The immigrants were mainly employees at the plantation farming of not, and they took part in building the railway that was later used to transport the finished goods and services. Settling for good homes and employment following the end of the agriculture market was challenging as a result of competition. More importantly, the course has opened my eyes to seeing the cultural dilemma that came with the birth of the children of the immigrants and how such things impacted on their upbringing and outcome. As much as the parents wanted their children to be well off in terms of following the culture of their homes, most of these children were exposed to American culture, and they continued to integrate with more interactions.

Works Cited

Takaki. Ethnic Solidarity. 1st ed., 2020, Accessed 19 Mar 2020.

Azuma. The Problem of Generation. 1st ed., 2020, Accessed 19 Mar 2020.