Becoming American
Shao Yang
HIST 1381_001
12/02/13
Stacey Pendleton
Becoming American, Becoming Ethnic.
United States has always been recognized throughout the world as the “Land of Opportunity.” The attraction of the promise of freedom, wealth, prosperity, and success had drawn millions of immigrants to come to America and search for a better life. One of the most important aspects is that the U.S is an egalitarian nation which opportunities are given based upon ability or achievement, rather than social status or circumstances of birth. My aunt was the first member in my family to move to the United States. She moved with my uncle from Taiwan during the late 1970s and married in the mid-80s. Due to my aunt’s success in the foreign land, my mom decided to send me and my sister to the U.S in search for a better life as well as a brighter future. Although life was tough and many hardships were faced, however, the experiences proven to be very valuable and useful.
Immigrants from the maternal side of my family consist of my aunt, my cousins, and my grandmother. My aunt moved here in the 70s and later my cousins were born here. My grandmother immigrated to the U.S in the late 80s and I moved here in 2004. Despite the immense number of years between each migration, the reasons of moving to the land of opportunity remained the same: to better our lives. During the process, all immigrants in my family experienced some kind of assimilation into the American culture. Among all my family members, American society has definitely influenced me the most and I have experienced the highest degree of assimilation. Being the youngest member in both my paternal and maternal family, I have adapted the environment and been Americanized more than my other family members.
I wanted to have a luxurious life like other Americans and immigrants. In order for me to be a part of this world, I must first adapt the environment and cultural differences. My first introduction was at school as a sixth grader.
HIST 1381_001
12/02/13
Stacey Pendleton
Becoming American, Becoming Ethnic.
United States has always been recognized throughout the world as the “Land of Opportunity.” The attraction of the promise of freedom, wealth, prosperity, and success had drawn millions of immigrants to come to America and search for a better life. One of the most important aspects is that the U.S is an egalitarian nation which opportunities are given based upon ability or achievement, rather than social status or circumstances of birth. My aunt was the first member in my family to move to the United States. She moved with my uncle from Taiwan during the late 1970s and married in the mid-80s. Due to my aunt’s success in the foreign land, my mom decided to send me and my sister to the U.S in search for a better life as well as a brighter future. Although life was tough and many hardships were faced, however, the experiences proven to be very valuable and useful.
Immigrants from the maternal side of my family consist of my aunt, my cousins, and my grandmother. My aunt moved here in the 70s and later my cousins were born here. My grandmother immigrated to the U.S in the late 80s and I moved here in 2004. Despite the immense number of years between each migration, the reasons of moving to the land of opportunity remained the same: to better our lives. During the process, all immigrants in my family experienced some kind of assimilation into the American culture. Among all my family members, American society has definitely influenced me the most and I have experienced the highest degree of assimilation. Being the youngest member in both my paternal and maternal family, I have adapted the environment and been Americanized more than my other family members.
I wanted to have a luxurious life like other Americans and immigrants. In order for me to be a part of this world, I must first adapt the environment and cultural differences. My first introduction was at school as a sixth grader.