I would like to focus on that article for this blog post as I found it more engaging and generally interesting. The idea that second generations immigrants try to stray away from the stereotypical jobs of their ethnicity that their parents may or may not be employed is intriguing. To me, it shows that kind of assimilation, that these children do not want to be separated or easily targeted as “immigrants” in mainstream culture and economy. They instead end up educating themselves and working hard (even harder than their white counterparts sometimes, because of inevitable discrimination) to avoid any of it. I also thought the point brought up about parents having to talk to their kids about the discrimination they may face to be particularly touching.
The discussion about social mobility in the immigrant neighborhoods also proved to be a central topic in this article. While Russians and Chinese find they can elevate themselves and find coveted jobs in technology, in other communities this is not as simple. The idea that many white children may stray off the professional path and get mixed up in crime just as much as African-Americans, but are more likely to be forgiven, possibly because of wealthier parents or connections, proved a unfortunate, recognizable truth of inequality.
It also comes up that to prevent discrimination, many different minorities find themselves living and interacting with each other. It is this ethnic variety that creates such beauty in New York and other places like it. As recalled in one paragraph, there has even been mixing of minority cultures, and thus a melting pot of influences and inspiration available at many corners.
