Thread: Discussion with a co-worker

So, I'm talking with a hispanic coworker, who is legal and has been in the United States since she was a child. However, in discussing illegal immigration, she quickly started referring to me and all others as "You Americans ... You Americans want this . .you want that, etc.

I had to ask her ..aren't YOU an American?? Youv'e lived here all your life, haven't you?

But she continuously referred to where she came from as "her country" and me as an American ...but never herself, as an American.

Just what is it with these people? If she's been here 30 plus years, why doesn't she consider herself an American? She's from El Salvador, I think. . . works, here, etc. .. yet still can't call herself an American? What is UP with this??

America was good enough for MY ancestors. They were proud to be Americans. Many others are. And they're all coming here, but supposedly hate us .. .so why ARE they coming here?

I truly believe this is an invasion in all respects. They are doing it slowly, methodically, and bit by bit, they're going to take this country away from us and turn it into something we won't even recognize in 20 or 30 years. There will be NO America to speak of.

The attitudes are just appalling to me ...but that's where we're at.

When my parents came from Germany...they were PROUD to be Americans....and taught us kids that America is THE place to be...They told us how hard it was to get here...(legally) and how one sibling sponsered the next...etc...We flew the American flag outside our home and only spoke English (except when there were secrets)..Amnesty would be a slap in the face to them....Glad they are not alive to see this!!!!!!!!

That's really sad, jjmm. As grandmasmad said, when her grandparents came they were PROUD to be Americans. People WANTED to assimilate and become united with their countrymen.

It's a lack of assimilation and it's dangerous for our country.

Assimilation is imperative if we are to maintain a country that is UNITED.

Let's remember the very simple, but very profoundly true statement:

UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL.

It's just hard to understand. They come here, live here basically all their lives, are educated here, work here, set up their home here -- yet call another country home because it is where their parents are from.

Why are they HERE? I mean, really -- I have to ask it again -- why are you here??

I myself lived 6 years in a foreign country, yet couldnd't wait to get back home. My "home" is here, and thus, I want to LIVE here.

If their "home" is back there, why don't they want to go back home?

Another answer by my co-worker was that these immigrants DO go home, all the time. They just cross back and forth, at will, whenever they want.

So, this is their "money maker," but the "old country" is home . .. ok, now I get it.

Never mind us ..the natives, who happen to love the place more than just for it's money. We actually call this OUR home -- and we're tired of having those in it who don't appreciate it, and are just using it.

America is being "used."

The path to disappointment is paved with expectations.

How should we expect idiots to behave? Answer: like idiots.

I'm sure deep down she knows she is an American, but I have a feeling that all this rhetoric being used against illegals of her same ethnicity is stirring some emotions in Americans of Hispanic decent like her which causes her to say things like that. She wants to direct her emotion at someone or some group so she refers to "you people" or "you Americans". Similarly the anti-illegal Americans are feeling the fire. Just read their comments and you'll see how many sometimes lump ALL Hispanics into a group and blame them for the problem as if ALL Hispanics were illegals ,which is of course not true. And I believe they do that because they are fueled with the same emotion that they fail to think logically and clearly, same with this co-worker. Now I don't know her, but I can tell you that I know and have come across many Hispanics down here in San Diego mostly Americans, but I also know some that happen to be illegal and I can tell you from my experiences that they do in fact want to assimilate and do want to learn English because they know that that is the only way they'll ever truly succeed in this great country. Let me tell you something. Why do you think the company behind the home instruction video set "English Without Obstacles" have continued to advertise their product on American Spanish channels???? Anyone? Duh!! Because it is so damn popular!! Why else would they keep advertising if people weren't buying them??
This product has been airing on the airwaves for years and hasn't gone away. So you see. These people do want to assimilate, do want to learn English. But it's times like these, fueled with harsh rhetoric and emotions that really cause things to be said that shouldn't be said.

The immigrants who came from Europe didn't all of a sudden speak English as they came off the boat. It took time. Same with these people coming from all over the world. It'll take time for them to learn to use our language.

Actually, it is many Americans of Hispanic or Mexican descent that want to lump themselves in with the illegals, not us. They do this by defending the illegals rather than standing toe to toe with their fellow American citizens on this issue who are opposed to their presence here because they broke our immigration laws. They think along ethnic lines and constantly refer to themselves as hypenated Americans. They are their own worse enemies, so to speak. Just as the example given in this topic of a Hispanic American who calls others Americans but not herself. She still considers herself to be a part of the country that she left behind or part of an ethnic group rather than an American citizen.

I know many Hispanics that were born in this country and are even second or third generation Americans that have this same mindset. You reap what you sow!

Originally Posted by flashman

I'm sure deep down she knows she is an American...
The immigrants who came from Europe didn't all of a sudden speak English as they came off the boat. It took time. Same with these people coming from all over the world. It'll take time for them to learn to use our language.

Apparently, it takes them some time to take their flags down too. I guess it is just a learned process. (eye roll)

These people do want to assimilate, do want to learn English. But it's times like these, fueled with harsh rhetoric and emotions that really cause things to be said that shouldn't be said.

Is this assimilation?...Pictures are indeed worth a thousand words...

Touche, Virginiamama!