Latino Acculturation Vs. Assimilation
My previous post "Social Media Solves Latino Assimilation" was either loved or hated. Unbelievably, this is due to one word. If the assimilation was replaced with acculturation, the attitudes would drastically change. That's the power of words.
Guess what? I purposely, chose to use the word assimilation instead of acculturation to make the point that I will now make in this post: the futility of fighting over a principle first and giving the goal a back seat is an exercise in epic failure.
Let's see why.
Assimilation is a negative, almost derogatory term one can use towards Latinos and American culture. "Cultural assimilation is the adoption by an individual of some or all aspects of a dominant culture." There is no better way to piss off, or put a Latino into a defensive mode. All you have to do is suggest that he/she is of a sub-class, and you lost them.
Conversely, acculturation "is the exchange of cultural features...the original cultural patterns of either or both groups may be altered, but the groups remain distinct." Ah, the best of both worlds. No one feels threatened, there are no converts, no fanatics, and best of all no one is better than the other. Happy Latinos.
This debate sidetracks the progress of Latinos from the main goal of success and prosperity. The effort to benefit by adapting to one's environment is put into a schism and suffers progress. Latinos are duped into a discussion instead of concentrating their energy on the goal.
It's unfortunate that this topic is framed as it is, but I refuse to engage the press and politicians in this chatter. Say Latinos should assimilate...say American culture is dominant...say whatever you want. I don't really care, because my eyes are on the prize.
Guess what? I purposely, chose to use the word assimilation instead of acculturation to make the point that I will now make in this post: the futility of fighting over a principle first and giving the goal a back seat is an exercise in epic failure.
Let's see why.
Assimilation is a negative, almost derogatory term one can use towards Latinos and American culture. "Cultural assimilation is the adoption by an individual of some or all aspects of a dominant culture." There is no better way to piss off, or put a Latino into a defensive mode. All you have to do is suggest that he/she is of a sub-class, and you lost them.
Conversely, acculturation "is the exchange of cultural features...the original cultural patterns of either or both groups may be altered, but the groups remain distinct." Ah, the best of both worlds. No one feels threatened, there are no converts, no fanatics, and best of all no one is better than the other. Happy Latinos.
This debate sidetracks the progress of Latinos from the main goal of success and prosperity. The effort to benefit by adapting to one's environment is put into a schism and suffers progress. Latinos are duped into a discussion instead of concentrating their energy on the goal.
It's unfortunate that this topic is framed as it is, but I refuse to engage the press and politicians in this chatter. Say Latinos should assimilate...say American culture is dominant...say whatever you want. I don't really care, because my eyes are on the prize.
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It is never what they call us that matters ... it is what we answer to that counts.
I agree with you ... people of color can not afford to get sidetracked by words. We must stay focused on the prize of success and progress for ourselves, our community and our peoples.
Excellent post!
peace, Villager
Villager, you summed it up "...it is what we answer to that counts....(we) cannot afford to get sidetracked by words."
First let me say that I love the slogan - "A Latino Blog Born Out Of Underrepresentation"
I agree with you entirely; the cultural assimilation or acculturation debate is semantic at best.
We must purposefully engage success and be focused on the outcome.
We have much more important issues to address than semantics.
and thus arguing about whether we have assimilated the American culture or experienced acculturation is an open-ended issue...focusing on progress whether you think you have assimilated or not this culture, should be the main focus here - can't agree w/ you more.
yet, the argument will arise when you bring this up between a hispanic-american (individual born & raised in the U.S. with Latino roots) and an individual born & raised in another country that immigrated to the U.S...
to me, it's all about self-identity and the operational definition of words.
So basically what you're saying is that no matter what you call it, the point/objective is the same; so quit bitching about you called it?
"people of color can not afford to get sidetracked by words."
What color are you referring to Villager?
Whether we succeed or not it is up to us, some goals are easy and some are not! If the eye is on the "prize" if assimilation or acculturation gets me there...Oh well, so be it!
Gracias!
Louis, I'd like to apologize. I read the earlier post, and I believe I slightly misunderstood your tone here. It sounsd like we're on the same wavelength about the viability of being bicultural.
Hi Daniel. I'm sorry, did you write a previous comment? I did not see one. But, yes I'm not advocating the abandonment of one's culture.