ImmigrationFor the last couple of weeks someone I know was involved with some students doing internships in his medical office. Both of the students were first generation Americans. One had been born in Korea but moved with her family to America when she was a young child. The other was born in America of parents who had immigrated to the United States from India shortly before her birth.

In both cases, the parents came to this country with little more than hope, motivation and a willingness to work hard. Both families maintained a pride in their heritage while assimilating into the American culture. The parents insisted their children learn English. Both sets of parents worked hard and used the money they earned to provide an education for their children. In both cases, the parents obviously understood that in order for their children to become successful they would need to be a part of the culture they lived in. For them to rise above their humble beginnings and take advantage of the American Dream they would need an education.

The staff of the medical office were teasing the student from Korea. They told her that her first name didn’t seem to go with her last name. The student told them what her Korean name was. She said that when they moved to America and became citizens her father had told her that now she is an American and needed an American name. He gave her Catherine for her American name.

Their parents didn’t come to America and ask America to change for them. They didn’t come here to take advantage of the system for a free ride. Instead they found ways to use the system so that they could participate in it and contribute to it. They understood that being American didn’t mean they had to forget their own heritage, but they were free to embrace a new heritage.

In one generation both of these families had gone from struggling immigrants to being doctors and other professionals. One generation.

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