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Author	Topic: Immigration and “Double Consciousness”

Novice Their American
Posts: 8

Immigration and “Double Consciousness”
on: March 12, 2016, 22:38

The theme of Double Consciousness appears repeatedly in American Literature produced in the 20th Century. In the works we studied this year, this term is used to describe the experience of African and Native Americans who must negotiate the “American” and “non-American” aspects of their identities. This multiplicity of identity continues to characterize the experience of many immigrants to America and their children, who must reconcile the values, traditions and cultures of their country of origin with those of their new home. This struggle is a central theme of contemporary American Immigration Literature. For example, Amy Tan, a Chinese-American author, repeatedly writes about the lifelong journey of learning to balance and accept the two cultures of her heritage. As a nation of immigrants, America allows, or even imposes, the existence of double identities or double cultures, a human experience which differs drastically from the experience of individuals who do not have a hyphenated identity.

http://oedb.org/ilibrarian/coming-to-america-50-greatest-works-of-immigration-literature/

Immigrant stories: Dual identity

https://www.oneworldeducation.org/chinese-american-identity
http://mic.com/articles/77859/it-s-not-easy-being-asian-american#.gSnqNmPup

MelissaRos-
ati

Novice Their American
Posts: 8

Re: Immigration and “Double Consciousness”
on: March 24, 2016, 01:22

Double consciousness is not a newly imagined concept. In fact, it dates back to the earliest days when British settlers first came by sea and made claim on lands that were already being inhabited. Although Native Americans and African Americans have experienced the wrath of conformity-either be like us or be the outsider-double consciousness takes a toll on American citizens as well. As a criminology major, we have focused a lot on the idea of the "other" which is anyone who does not immediately fulfill the values and morals that we ourselves encompass. However, labeling an individual or an entire group as having dual identity says more about the people creating this distinction, and less about the individuals who are receiving it.

This is known as self-other fluidity, the idea that even though American citizens wish to distance themselves from other cultures and religions, they are not so different. In fact, American's begin to take on the title of dual identity as well for they are now being exposed to unfamiliar human attributes that they must accept and integrate into their current culture. It is a struggle for both parties; however, immigrants face the constant reality of not being accepted. Which is rather odd considering America and Canada, or any other country/state/province, are usually the first to initiate an invitation for change. I mean it's the 21st century, if we can't eliminate discrimination now we'll never see a world free of it. On the one hand I understand that everyone is entitled to their own opinion on how they feel about others, but at the same time, it is these differences and unique qualities of every individual person that create what we recognize as community.

There is no opportunity for growth and expansion if we do not open ourselves to the possibilities of what others can bring to the table. Personally, I would like to see how immigrants would react if an American or a Canadian citizen were to relocate into their spaces. Would we be expected to conform to their immediate culture or would they accept that we are different and have as much as a right as themselves to be who we are? Honestly, no one has enough power to enforce their personal beliefs on another human being. One's culture, clothing choice, language, etc. should not define them. We are who we are and we should all be proud of that.

MPasha

Novice Their American
Posts: 6

Re: Immigration and “Double Consciousness”
on: April 8, 2016, 20:20

Perhaps the inconvenience of the double-consciousness, and the reason that we must constantly acknowledge it, comes from the conflict between the two identities that an immigrant or "cultural outsider" must deal with. The expected "American" identity (and even now I struggle to find the words to describe these identities. It seems we may never be free from the restrictions of language that force us to label them) is so overwhelmingly dominant that it may seem easier to cannibalize any other identity in favour of it.
The imposition of the double-consciousness arises when visible and physical characteristics are attached to an identity. The colour of one's skin, the clothing that one wears, the languages that one speaks; by all logic, these are superficialities. However, they are the excuses used to create divisions in identity, and physical cultural differences are emphasized. So a person with two sets of varying clothing, but only one appropriate to wear out, two languages, but only one that they can use to communicate, is split. Perhaps a better term for it is even a split-consciousness.
If it was just a matter of "other" values and morals, identities would align much more than they do now, as most societies seem to operate on the same core morals, with varying degrees of importance.
But, as MelissaRosati has said, the double-consciousness is an age-old problem, and maybe one that can be affected at an individual level. As she said, "We are who we are and we should all be proud of that". If this philosophy takes hold the inclusivity that she hopes for may well become the dominant culture.

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