[eaglecall]

Originally Posted by OoAnd1

When all cultures and races have groups of people that negatively represent the majority, it's unfair to focus in on only one culture. Everything said here may be true, but unless there are 20 more threads focusing in on every culture in the U.S.A and their negative aspects then I can understand how Hispanics (or specifically Cubans) may feel picked on. I think if this thread had some balance and not only pinpointed at Hispanics then no one could feel insulted.

For example, if you and your brothers all failed your final exams and your parents only focused on you, and only grounding you...although you still deserve the criticism and punishment.... you'd feel picked on. It's human nature. And no matter what culture or race we are, we are all human.

I'm not claiming anyone's comments are wrong, hateful or racist. I'm just saying that the Hispanics that come to this board and read your comments are not part of that "sub-culture" that has been criticized here. And it's important to know who your audience is and who you may be unintentionally hurting.

But if venting on an internet board prevents people from taking their anger and attacks to the people in the streets, then so be it.

I do not agree. We shouldn't have different cultures because we are supposed to be Americans. I don't hear german descendants say "I'm German-American"; I don't hear French descendants say "I'm French-American; the same with Italians, Russians, etc...

We have different cultures today because we have bad quality of immigrants who refuse to assimilate into Americans. That is the real problem. And why they refuse, is very simple. Because they didn't come here for a real admiration to this country, or because through a process of critical thinking they determined that this is the best nation in the world. They came here because they just heard that here are the benefits. Here are the so called "opportunities" but America? they don't care about "those gringos"; "Budweiser is urine"; "NASCAR is for racists". I am not making this up, I HEAR THESE COMMENTS in my daily life.

I agree with you that hispanics reading and posting here might be different; educated people, with family values. But for the same reason, they must stand up straight for what is right. When I post here I only say the truth; what I see, hear or live in my daily life. And I have to say it because I believe IT IS WRONG. Period. It is threatening our society and prosperity. If nobody says nothing, if nobody do nothing, we will not only have a Third world Miami but a whole nation within 20 years! And I do not tolerate that.

Y'know...these is the same that happens with muslims. We know 99% of terrorists are muslims. There's any good muslim out there? of course there are. And they should stand straight and say that terrorists are bad evil people. Instead, they stay shut, acting like nothing is wrong. That makes them part of the problem. Same happens here. Is not a problem of White, Brown, Black, Yellow, Purple. Is a problem of culture. This is The United States of America and I'm sure everybody in this country is more than welcome to be, feel and live as an American. At the end, nobody comes forced here. It is a voluntary act. If it's voluntary, how come we have so many people living phisically here, but mentaly trapped in another country (Spanish TV, Spanish Radio, Spanish food) that means mental issues for me. That is not normal. If somebody lives disgusted by the American culture and way of thinking then why the hell they do not get out of here. If they do not have bad mental problems then the only reason they stay here is because some people is only here to take advantage of the system. Consume American resources, giving nothing in exchange. And that is what creates these "cultural crashes"


What we have in Miami IS NOT DIVERSITY. Instead, it is a sub-country inside a country. That is insane. There is no diversity without 100% assimilation. Diversity means different backgrounds melted into one single culture. This is not the case in Miami. In this city, people have just imposed a different way of thinking, different way of living, different values, traditions, excluding completely anything related with American culture. That's unacceptable.

[OoAnd1]

My first point will be that millions of the first to come to the United States came looking for a better life. From the Italians to the Irish to the Germans, Jews, etc. And still today, millions of the immigrants, from the Middle East, Europe or Latin America come for a better life. You don't fall in love with the U.S.A then decide to come here...you decide to come here and then, hopefully...ideally, you fall in love with the U.S.A..

I don't live in Miami and I haven't even spent more than a day there in over a decade. So I can't comment on how things are there.

But I do want to add one more thing to want you said. I believe there should be a balance to assimilating. I'm not sure what 100% assimilation means to you...but the American culture should not be a "replacement culture" but instead an addition to your culture. I was born in the U.S.A., I love my country. But if I move to Japan for my career, I can't be expected to leave my American culture and love for my country at the airport. It will forever be with me. Now, I'd make an absolute effort to learn Japanese and their country. And perhaps, with time, I'd love Japan as well. Only through that example am I even close to seeing this situation through the eyes of a Hispanic immigrant.

You should always love the country you were born in no matter the reasons you had to/or chose to come to the United States. But I do agree that eventually you should "fall in love" with the United States. The U.S.A should be like their "second child". You could love both countries and both cultures. You can learn to speak English for work and then watch Spanish tv at home. You can eat American food for lunch and then Spanish food for dinner. That to me...is assimilation, but it's assimilating without losing your identity as a Hispanic. I'm not sure what you thought proper assimilation should be, perhaps we both agree, perhaps not.

The key is balance. It is wrong for a Hispanic to be in this country for 10+ years with zero acceptance of the American culture and language. But it is also wrong for an American to expect a Hispanic to give up his culture and language completely.

I agree that everyone should speak-up about those that choose not to accept the American culture, but when we argue with them and when we make our points, let's make clear we want them ONLY TO ADD the American culture to their lives, NOT substitute it in.

[Nirvana-Guy]

EagleCall seems to make a very good point, here. Actually, I hear a lot of the same racist slurs from immigrants these days. Lots of immigrants hate America with a passion. The only reason they are here is because of work and their need to make money so they can send the money back to their home countries, tax-free.

The word "gringo" is a racist term. I hear it way too often and here is the kicker: I am an Army kid ("brat") and we lived in Spain for 2 years and I speak some Espanol. I hear immigrants being critical of America and Americans a lot.

This new wave of Spanish-speaking immigrants refuse to assimilate (as the Irish, Germans, Turks, Italians, and etc have done for 400 years) and they demand everything to be in their native languages, demand to have their customs shoved on other people and etc. The result is American workers being fired to make way for Spanish-speaking workers to meet the demands of exploding Spanish-speaking clients.

Another example is the Somalians in Minnesota. They are demanding they be allowed to practice polygamy, demanding emplyers keep them away from pork, cab drivers refuse to transport people who have dogs and who have a bottle of unopened beer. Is this America with normal laws or is it Koran law (Sharia law)??

This is an invasion by mostly people who hate America and Americans. Americans are generally viewed as naive by a lot of Immigrants. One example is people supporting an amnesty for illegal aliens. That is opening the doors to 120 million new immigrants in the next 30 years through 'chain migration'. Do not be fooled to think it will be all she wrote after Congress passes the "guest worker" amnesty.

[vpcats]

Weird how all these other immigrants have been assimilating for 400 years (Nirvana Guy's recent post) when the USA is only what 300 years old?

This is article is on today's MSN homepage.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17954186/

[vpcats]

Weird how all these other immigrants have been assimilating for 400 years (Nirvana Guy's recent post) when the USA is only what 200 years old?

This is article is on today's MSN homepage.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17954186/

[Pixie Dust]

VPcats????

Are my eyes deceiving me or are you on Florida forum. Yeah, I know I do it all the time, I have to pop my head in to see if anythings changed or if everything continues on the same beat.

Guess what nothings changed.

Or was it only Miami your staying away from??? I guess Miami is spreading to the whole state.

[vpcats]

Just Miami Pixie. Can't see or hear ANYTHING that goes on in there.
The general Florida one seems a little more digestible and since I don't live in Orlando, Jax or Tampa, I can't get all bothered and I look at those sometimes just for future info.

[Pixie Dust]

Originally Posted by vpcats

Just Miami Pixie. Can't see or hear ANYTHING that goes on in there.
The general Florida one seems a little more digestible and since I don't live in Orlando, Jax or Tampa, I can't get all bothered and I look at those sometimes just for future info.

Dont worry vpcats you arent missing anything. Same 'ole, same 'ole.

[Angelrocks]

Originally Posted by vpcats

I think a whole new world opens up when you learn several languages, at least more than one. It is very common in Europe, and mandatory. It's true that if you don't use it, you lose it but, like riding a bicycle, you never really forget. Just need a little practice to pick it up again. The best way to learn is to really immerse yourself in the language whether it's by choice or necessity.

I have a theory about why Europeans speak so many languages and it's natural for them. Countries there are fairly close together and it's easy to travel from one to the other. Much like we go from one state to another here. The only difference is that the US is all the same language from coast to coast whereas in Europe, you only have to go from FL to GA to get into another language/culture. Their business dealings take them across the languages also and Europeans have longgggg vacations and they do take full advantage of the time and travel a lot.

Aside from the argument about how some people refuse to learn english (which I will not get into), sometimes it seems to me like Americans find the idea of learning another language offensive.

I've found it's easy to do by necessity. It's more challenging to do it when you don't have to.

By the way, my Great Grandparents moved here from London. When they took care of me, they spoke English.

So, some people that migrated to America in the early 1900's actually spoke English! Not everybody had ancestors that spoke another language!

[Floridabound09]

When all our grandparents and great grandparents came here they wanted to be Americans, they adapted to our culture, our laws and our way of life.

The new breed of immigrants do not want to be Americans, they want things to change to suit them and feel they are owed the changes and we should change to accomadate them being here.

I do not mind diversity, but we cannot allow new immigrants or fairly new immigrants to do this, if they cannot and will not adjust to our culture, they need to leave on the next flight or boat home.

I am not changing for the sake of them, they must change for our ways or go back to where they came from.

Its getting out of hand and needs to be stopped very, very soon.

Like the deal with a cab driver in Boston keeping a picture of his daughter in the car holding Winnie the Poo, they fired him because he "offended" someone from a foreign country, well. if you do not like Winnie the Poo or cannot look at his picture, GO HOME and DO NOT COME BACK !!

Go to one of those countries, you are FORCED to adapt to THEM or you are gone, no questions asked.

We are way to lenient and are going to pay for it.

Our school system was forced to hire an extra teacher to tudor Mexican kids that do not speak English learn English. Now they are saying it is not right to force them to learn English. It's our damn lanquage, if you do not speak it and do not want to learn it return to your HOME and not ruin our home with the forced ways we are seeing.

Sad when none of our leaders have the guts to stand up and say "enough is enough".