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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]If you live in a manner that is contrary to the established native culture, and choose to not assimilate effectively, don't be surprised when people react to that difference.

I drove through this small town in the middle of no where, got some food in a diner. The kids next table over could not stop staring at us and the parents were obviously curious too but did not want to intrude. Our kids just stared back. It was a bit uncomfortable. The waitress asked "where are ya'll from?" I replied back with no accent "Virginia" and ordered our lunch. You can just feel the barrier melt away. Now, I could say that I shouldn't have to prove myself, and I can protest loudly about the people who yell at me to go back to where I came from through the years. But the US has shown to me that its people are very generous and accepting to those who subscribe to the shared fundamental ideals, one of which is assimilation. E pluribus unum. [/quote]

That's nice for you. Probably a bit harder for people who will never be considered "assimilated" due to the color of their skin or their appearance. Also, one of the great things about this country is that you can be a productive citizen without assimilating. Should Jews have to assimilate? Sikhs? Buddhists? Quakers? Or just Muslims? Your encouragement of "assimilation" sounds very much like the official French line, which is ostensibly religion-neutral but in fact privileges Christianity above all other religions. That may be fine for France but in this country, our Constitution protects the freedom to believe and behave differently.

If people want to stare at me because I look or dress differently, fine. I recognize that I may look or speak differently and that I stand out. But to be treated with hostility or threatened is a different matter entirely.[/quote]

Well, as an Asian, I will always be visibly different. That's why I stand out sitting in the diner of a small farming town. I do believe Jews have assimilated. In fact, to me it was only in the past 10 years that I realized that certain last names have Jewish ancestry, like Zimmermann. Hasidic Jews, however, have not assimilated to the same degree and outside of their cultural enclaves such as in NY, they are met with apprehension. We can say similar things about the Amish. Again, any time when you choose to not assimilate, people will note the difference and sometimes react negatively. Muslims are not unique in this. 
[/quote]

Read the threads on Christmas, Christmas trees, holiday observances, prayer in schools (these threads abound ever year) and tell me that Jews have assimilated and are deemed assimilated. Looks-wise, yes, probably, except for the more Orthodox and Hasidic sects. (Which are growing, by the way.) But many, many Jews who otherwise feel that they have mostly assimilated still refuse to do the Christmas/Santa Claus thing and are offended by people who say they should do so as part of being American.

But anyway, the point is that people who look different may stand out, but that is not a reason to treat them negatively. Do you think people should treat you negatively because you are Asian and therefore stand out in a small town? I should hope not. And I also think that assimilation is a choice. It is not required. If you want to assimilate, great. I'm mostly assimilated myself except for religious issues (Jewish). But if someone wants to practice Hasidic Judaism or be Amish or anything else, including Muslim, that is their right so long as they're not hurting anyone else. And I think it is reprehensible to say that it's ok or expected to treat them negatively because they are different. It is my firm belief that differences make this country great. Differences can also be difficult and cause friction and misunderstanding. But that doesn't mean they are bad and should be erased. [/quote]

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