There is concern that some parts of the country are being overwhelmed by Hispanics who are not looking to become Americans, but only to participate in the American economy. Mexicans, legal or not, living in the United States have been allowed to vote in Mexican elections. There is fear, albeit unfounded in my opinion, at least at this point, that the continued settlement of Mexicans in the Southwest will lead to secession and possible unification with Mexico. That fear has this basis: It happened to Mexico when Americans settled in then-sparesly populated Texas and declared independence. (Remember the Alamo?) Most of the rest of the Southwest fell into American hands in the war with Mexico that followed.

I do think there’s a growing unease in this country with immigrant groups — not just Hispanics — who are not becoming Americanized, as our ancestors became Americanized. The fifth most popular radio station in the Chicago market broadcasts exclusively in Spanish. We have several Spanish language TV stations locally. On the other hand, we have a wonderful tradition in America, and in Chicago in particular, of a foreign language press — but a press that has put itself out of business as immigrant generations gave birth to generations of “good Americans.” There is some concern that this is not happening any more.

And this concern may even be fed, in some small way, I suppose, by the fact that a native-born Briton whose parents came from Pakistan or India or Nigeria sounds exactly like his Anglo-Saxon neighbors, while a native born American whose parents came from Mexico has an Hispanic accent — and African-Americans retain distinctive accents.

Our “melting pot” isn’t working like it should and it creates concern. Of course, it’s now discouraged to “force” American culture on school children. Because that’s the progressive way….

No answers for you today, Ellee, but thanks for an interesting question.

I love your blog!

This issue also intrigues me too, I live in the USA and have found local people very Belligerent towards other cultures, faiths and literally any outsiders!

It’s nice to see people fly the American Flag and be patriotic, but the view over race seems to be the same, only it’s less open they the middle part of last century.

Maybe the negative reaction is due to the realisation that the United States will be a majority Spanish speaking nation in a couple of generations.

Yes we would get “hot and bothered” . Its not the thing itself its the symbol. Its asif what we have and what we are counts for nothing . For the poltical class that is the case. By the way Elee i think you are wrong to exclude so called extremists.The BNP doubled thier council seats at the last locals and we might at least start to think about why that is.