[andy_card]

What you and the author fail to realize is that by coming into a 'new' society the immigrant has, or should have, already committed to becoming part of that society.

I'm sorry, but blacks weren't really given that option. But yes, I'm in favor of the assimilation of immigrants.

By NOT expecting that adaptation, and having at least a few immigrant (internal and external) groups sitting around demanding that the society change to accomodate THEM, the larger society places itself at huge risk.

I agree, but its more complicated than that. I think we have an obligation to extend a branch to new Americans. You can't put all of the responsibility on them, unless you think that the Anglo-Saxons' anti-Irish discrimination was valid.

Welcome to the 21th century.

Thank you.

[norton]

Anglo-Saxon hostility toward the Irish has a bit to do with the history of the British Isles, long before arriving here.

That arguement also fails to address Irish hostility to later immigrants and the general rule that incoming groups only go up the ladder as newer groups arrive to replace them. You ignore the (race based) Jewish/Italian/Irish sparring over various elements of the traditional 'underworld', Cuban disdain for Mexicans. Etc. It is faulty to lay it on either "white" or "Anglo-Saxon".

And you are incorrect in stating that African-Americans, or African immigrants, have not been 'offered that option". The only reasons you might suggest that are (a) Racist - setting black apart from all others, or (b) ideological. I'm hoping your conclusions arise from the latter source.