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Mitchell in Oakland's avatar

The author has a good point -- but he's up against those who characterize illegal immigration as merely "undocumented" (as if shoplifting is merely "undocumented shopping") -- and the tendency of immigration PROPONENTS to cast the issue in terms of "whiteness" vs "people of color." It'll be difficult to resolve this situation as long as progressives consider "assimilation" a pejorative term.

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CarlW's avatar

I was stuck by the authors using "integrated" rather than "assimilated." Assimilation is what is wanted. Integration without assimilation is a recipe for trouble.

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DJ's avatar

Huh, I took them to mean the same thing. I grew up in the rural south and integration basically just meant desegregation.

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Mitchell in Oakland's avatar

"Recipe for trouble"? I disagree.

In a pluralistic, multi-ethnic society that views "self-determination" as an individual right, the two terms are synonymous.

Who needs a diet centered on white bread, when one can have Kimchi burritos, or pizza-on-a-bagel (and to heck with those who call that "cultural appropriation"!)?

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CarlW's avatar

The U.S. has millions of already vetted immigrants - "Dreamers" and long time residents - who should be given citizenship with very little fuss. Then we should proceed along the path laid out in the article.

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