Let’s Make Assimilation Great Again
In my social circle, uttering MAGA would end any good faith conversion.
But hear me out.
As we stand on the precipice of another presidential election cycle that may herald deep schisms in our national identity as Americans, I believe it is time to reevaluate our understanding of assimilation and redefine it in a way that truly makes it great again.
Yes, MAGA!
A few years ago, I casually joined an Asian American online social group that discussed the social political issues of the day.
In discussions, members often positioned assimilation as a process to be resisted. The term “assimilation” was associated with notions of forfeiting or erasing one’s cultural identity and conforming to a dominant American culture, perceived to be characterized by “white” norms.
The toxicity associated with assimilation was so pronounced that some members defiantly declared their refusal to celebrate Independence Day on July 4th.
Apparently, celebrating this holiday would morph them into some white supremacist patriarchal monster.
I wondered: When did assimilation become such a nasty word?
