Assimilation

On a micro scale, assimilation is as simple as adopting the culture of a group you're in. School children do this all of the time. A kid moves to a new school, and if a group is into a certain thing, say pickleball, the new kid might learn about it begin doing it to fit in.

When we meet people, it's normal for us to find common ground with them. Sports, kids, health... we look for some facet of shared experience to converse and connect. When one or both want to develop a relationship, some level of assimilation happens. This happens all of the time in marriage. A spouse will pick up a hobby or interest and the other will take time to learn about it and take interest in it. Perhaps even join. It might be golf or a bridge club, a political group, hiking or running. Or pickleball. It's how they remain connected.

The more facets where connection takes place, you can argue the stronger the relationship. You could even say the greater the assimilation.

When people come to America, whether legally or not, they have a choice. They can join with Americans who love their country and the "American way," or they can defiantly stick to the language of their country of origin, hoist its flag for all to see, and even protest against America if they choose.

We choose to assimilate when we believe that it will lead us to a measure of success that we want. If you come here and you don't speak English, then you choose to learn English because you will find more success if you do. You can integrate with more of America. Language is the first hurdle in assimilation.

But assimilation may not be the goal. When a person enters a group of people and disrupts its normal culture, it could be to fracture and weaken the group. It could be to take over the group. The members of the local pickleball group become confused when a person insists on reading slam poetry instead.

In Texas, a few decades back, Democrats began to stick their finger in the wind and saw that the country was moving in a more conservative direction. To assimilate, they began calling themselves Republican, and for some, that's where the assimilation stopped. This is part of why Texas has strange form of Republicanism. It's not centered on conservative values, but on the acquisition of power. Like learning English, they can speak the language to help them succeed, but in their hearts, they still speak the language of their country of origin.

Fighting hard for the culture of a secure border, election integrity, and protecting the innocence of children is foreign to them. We see that the Democrats embrace none of these values, and so when Republicans move incredibly slow on these important cultural issues, it's just because it's not native to them. They became functional in the language enough to get by, but have no interest in becoming a champion of Republican culture. In their actions, they still hoist the flag of their native land.

Some might call assimilation a purity test. But wouldn't Texas be better if no matter who our president was, the border was secure, elections were unambiguously free and fair, and the innocence of children was protected without fight?

Time to promote assimilation, for the betterment of everyone. We get the culture we allow. We need to recognize that some haven't really assimilated. If not, they sure shouldn't represent those who expect champions of conservative culture.

4 Comments

Roy Getting (May 1, 2025 1:34 PM):

There was a time when an immigrate tried to assimilate as quickly as possible. They wanted to be American. Now it appears immigrants want dual roles which is hurting our country.

PJ (Pat) (May 1, 2025 2:25 PM):

I have no desire to assimilate with chameleon Republican politicians whose goal is power and control. They have fully exposed themselves. We failed to sever the head last March. I think we may have one more chance. If we fail again, I don’t think there will be another chance in Texas to preserve our freedoms for a very long time.

D Johnston (May 1, 2025 4:11 PM):

I just read a text thread this morning about someone witnessing a US Citizenship exam given in Spanish! Assimilation has been thwarted for decades. I moved to Houston in the 80's and I'll never forget a news spot where they were crowing about how Houston was so proud of its multicultural status that they'd put up street signs written in multiple languages.

Kim Spain (May 1, 2025 7:41 PM):

Interesting analogy of assimilation (or lack thereof) with many Republicans in power in Texas. I wonder how many are closer to Democrats at heart. Some, I know, have become full-fledged Democrats once they retire from political life, revealing their true character all along. I agree, when those we elected continue to thwart our "Republican" values every chance they get, we must eventually quit calling them Republicans. Now... how do we help the voters see this?