Thread: 1st Christmas an eye-opener for immigrants

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http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/loca ... alwest-hed
1st Christmas an eye-opener for immigrants
Dazzling lights, frenzy of gifts often startling, if not overwhelming
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By Denise Linke
Special to the Tribune

December 22, 2006

Some of her fellow Chicagoans may complain about the glitz, shopping and enforced merriment that settles in this time of year, but recent immigrant Mamie Moore embraces it all.

"That America can have such a big Christmas shows what a great country it is," said Moore, a Liberian civil war refugee who came to Glen Ellyn in July with her 9-year-old son, Beyo.

That's not an uncommon reaction to an immigrant's first taste of Christmas American-style, especially for people who come from non-Christian countries, said Annie Laven, director of refugee services for Catholic Charities' DuPage County office.

"They're not really surprised at how much people here spend on Christmas, because a lot of them come here expecting the streets to be paved with gold," she said. "But when they're actually here experiencing it, they can't get over how visible it all is.

"We had a family from Afghanistan ... and when we drove them around and passed all the big houses with the lights and lawn decorations, they were awed," Laven said. "They just couldn't believe what they were seeing."

For Moore and other immigrants fleeing war zones, Christmas trees, carolers and twinkling lights are a welcome return to the way they once lived in their home countries.

"In Liberia we also decorate our homes for Christmas and put up Christmas trees," Moore said. "Before the war we had electric lights that we would put up around our houses. It's very nice to come here and see that again."

For Mexican immigrants, the exuberance of an American Christmas can come as a culture shock, said Tomas Avilas, director of Hispano Centro in West Chicago.

He understands the confusion because, as a first-generation American growing up in West Chicago, he too was disoriented when his family spent the holidays with his grandparents in Mexico.

"There is a big difference," Avilas said. "In Mexico, a lot of people don't have Christmas trees, much less lights on their houses. Christmas is mostly just a church service followed by a special meal with family."

Even in traditionally Christian Third World countries, gift-giving is usually reserved for young children, Laven said. "Our clients are amazed to find out that here everybody gets presents, even from employers and co-workers. One of the first things they ask is who they should give presents to and what they should get."

And it's not just the Christians who draw up gift lists. "Everyone who comes here is eager to join in and experience Christmas for themselves. We have Muslims who put up trees and come to our Christmas parties to learn about it," Laven said.

That sense of goodwill toward all people is the most compelling thing about Christmas for recent immigrants, said Manjula Mody, who moved with her family to Bartlett from India more than 30 years ago.

"You don't have to be Christian to celebrate Christmas in America," she said. "It really is for everybody."
Copyright © 2006, Chicago Tribune

It sucks that we have to be viewed as haters. I want the world to be prosperous, just as we are here. I have nothing per say against Mexican people. I just dont want to experience their way of life as reality here. It is too bad they feel they have to come here for a good life. But much of this is because they refuse to hold their goverenment accountable. Just like alot of people here.

Ronster wrote:

It sucks that we have to be viewed as haters. I want the world to be prosperous, just as we are here. I have nothing per say against Mexican people. I just dont want to experience their way of life as reality here. It is too bad they feel they have to come here for a good life. But much of this is because they refuse to hold their goverenment accountable. Just like alot of people here.

Very well said, Ronster. I'm sure most of us share your feelings on the issue. You're right though, we don't want everyone in the worlds successes to come at our expense and that is exactly what is happening in regards to the illegal immigration problem we're dealing with.