Assimilation Theory

1. Assimilation Theory Colonization Complex “Straight-Line” Assimilation Theory Forms Of Assimilation Forced•Permissible•Cultural•Structural Anglo-Conformity Amalgamation Cultural Pluralism

2. Robert Blauner Forced Entry Social Alteration Colonialization Complex Political Domination Racist Justifications

3. Robert Park Forced Entry Contact Social Alteration Competition “Straight Line” Assimilation Theory Political Domination Accommodation Assimilation Racist Justifications

4. Robert Blauner • Assimilation: A Process By Which Members Of One Group Become Part Of Another Host Society. Forced Assimilation Dominant group refuses to allow minority to continue to follow its customs Permissible Assimilation Dominant group allows minority to adopt dominant patterns in its own way and at its own speed Structural Assimilation Behavioral assimilation involving primary institutions (e.g., families) or relationships Cultural Assimilation Behavioral assimilation involving secondary institutions (e.g., work, schools) or relationships How Assimilation Works

5. A+B+C+D= A • Only Host Institutions Are Desirable • Host Language & Culture Is Superior • Eventually Leads To Xenophobia Anglo-Conformity

6. A+B+C+D= E • All Cultures Absorbed & Contributing • For Us, It’s Called “American-ism” • “Understand that America is God’s Crucible, the great Melting-Pot where all the races of Europe are melting and reforming! A fig for your feuds and vendettas! Germans and Frenchmen, Irishmen and Englishmen, Jews and Russians—into the Crucible with you all! God is making the American.” (Israel Zangwill 1908) Amalgamation

7. A+B+C+D= A+B+C+D A+B+C+D= A+B+C+D • All Groups Maintain Unique Culture • “The equal co-existence of different cultural forms of life • within one and the same political community” • (Jürgen Habermas 2003) • Immigrants Adopt Some Host Aspects • This is also called “hyphenation” Cultural Pluralism or Multiculturalism