[Platt] The only caveat I would propose is that when the emigrate to another country they should assimilate by adopting the language, customs and values of the host country so as to avoid unnecessary friction. But, I could be wrong.
[X] I think it's more difficult for Muslims to assimilate customs and values of others because their customs and values are Intertwined with their religeon likewise for other cultures ie, Native americans, [Khaled] As for assimilating in a new culture, I have posted on that before. Some things take time. And remember that what freedom you give people like the Amish, you have to give the rest. [Arlo] First, greetings Khaled. It's been a while, glad you are still around. The question of "assimilation" bothers me. Upfront, though, let me say this. There is "law". Certainly, I'd argue, that if someone moves from a culture where murder is legal to a place where it is not, one must abide by the governance of social law. (That said, of course, there is no reason why the immigrant can not petition for changes to that law.) An Englishman relocating to Wyoming should conform to our practice of driving on the right side of the road. However, if it is important to him, he can begin legal proceedings to change the law. Then there are "habits" that are generally invisible to the new population. Is anyone suggesting that Thai immigrants give up eating Pad Thai in their homes upon relocating to Wyoming? Should the Englishman give up Spotted Dick? If a couple moves here from a faraway land (call it Wynkenblykenland), where the social custom is for women and men to sleep vertically opposed in their beds instead of head to head, are we really suggesting they should give this up? But then there are "habits" that ARE visible, and also legal, but just different from the majority norm. Such as the (much dreaded) keffiyeh. What I don't understand, and likely never will, is why social habits, that are legal, but just different from "what I do" is so threatening to people. Take the Jewish kippah? Should a Jewish man give this up when he moves to Wyoming? If not, why should an Arabic man give up is keffiyah? Some have suggested in the past that we only allow "non-threatening" cultures to retain their social norms. If a Japanese woman wants to walk down the streets of Laramie wearing a kimono, I doubt many would have a problem. But make that an Iranian woman wearing a hejab (http://www.hejabiran.com/) and the outcry would likely be enormous. An Amish man in an amish black hat would be fine. An African man in a Fez would likely be told to "assimilate". Why are so many so threatened by passive social habits that differ from their own? Ham has suggested that their is some behavior, that while not illegal per se, makes the new population anxious. Masks, for example, which when worn into a store may prompt images of robbery. The unnerving close proximity that some cultures stand when they talk may skeeve out people used to more interpersonal distance. And in these instances a little mutual understanding and discourse could go a long way. "We only wish to raise quality of life for all species. We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. Your culture will adapt to service us. You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile." (The Borg) moq_discuss mailing list Listinfo, Unsubscribing etc. http://lists.moqtalk.org/listinfo.cgi/moq_discuss-moqtalk.org Archives: http://lists.moqtalk.org/pipermail/moq_discuss-moqtalk.org/ http://moq.org.uk/pipermail/moq_discuss_archive/
