[JS]

I grew up in a predominantly white, upper-middle class area and I can understand the mindset that you seem to be coming from. Please keep this in mind: When one culture is exposed to another – be it a difference in race, economic status, etc – the actions of the other may seem weird or even inappropriate. A common reaction of the majority culture is to label the behavior unacceptable because it does not follow their norms and values. In response to your specific question, it is very hard to move up in this world. Someone moving up out from the ‘ghetto’ may have spent everything they had to move to another place. They may not have the same resources available for fancy landscaping. They may be working two or three jobs to be able to afford their new place and not have the time to spend in the yard at the moment. That said, the majority of people I have know who have managed to better their living situation have fierce pride in their accomplishment and do whatever they can to make it beautiful. They shouldn’t be lumped together with the few who may indeed act how you described. As far as ‘acting and dressing’ the same, why should they abandon their identity? I am not clear on exactly what you mean by this. The way a person dresses in many ways reflects their cultural identity. They shouldn’t be expected to change that in order to assimilate into another person’s idea of ‘respectable.’ Ethnic diversity in no way brings down a community. Infact, I would say that it only enhances it. This may explain multi-family households. Many cultures have very extended families that live together. Or they may be sharing the cost of bettering their lives. That may be the only way to make better future for their children. Lastly. Where I am from, it is common practice of ALL youths (and lots of adults)to walk infront of traffic! Driving downtown the person I have to slam on my breaks to avoid slaughtering is most of the time a middle-aged, white businessman on his cell phone.

User Detail :  

Name : JS, Gender : F, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 26, City : Portland, State : OR, Country : United States, 

[JS]

The United States of America has no offical language. There is always an adjustment period when learning a new language. Just because someone did not have the opportunity to learn English before coming to live in the US does not mean that 1.) They are not attempting to and 2.) They deserve less access to infomation than a fluent speaker of English receives. Just an aside, it has been my experience that Americans are notorious world-wide for their lack of knowledge of foreign languages.

User Detail :  

Name : JS, Gender : F, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 26, City : Portland, State : OR, Country : United States, 

[Author]

Posts