Immigrants have been migrating to America in great masses for over a century, with the hopes of finding new life while trying to create a bright and prosperous future for themselves, and for their children. Kansinitz et al argues in his piece that, second generation immigrants actually face much discrimination, and have many problems trying to integrate themselves into the supposed “land of the free.” These imposed stereotypes have hindered the process of assimilation into America for many different ethnic groups, but at the same time, empowered them to strive for success. Upward mobility is tough because, many second-generation immigrants live in “shrinking economic niches” which simply do not have any opportunity. The neighborhoods that one lives in play a very important role in the potential success and future or an individual. According to Gans, “becoming American” means for second generation brown and black immigrants to embrace the cultural value of their peers, rather than the values of their parents, whose primary goal is to make sure that their children are safe, and are moving up in the social ladder, which is hard to do in many neighborhoods. It is sad to know that, in many cases, it’s a matter of what you actually are and where you live, rather than who you actually are.
Furthermore, Marcuse in the second article discusses why many immigrants tend to settle in their ghettos, and enclaves. Sometimes, it is just because these immigrants have no other choice which is the case for the ghetto, and other times, it is because they wish to use their niche to use it as a stepping stool to a higher position in society. Unfortunately for the former, they are discriminated against, and are treated as outcasts. Marcuse uses Harlem as an example of this ghetto, where its inhabitants tend to stay within the constrictions placed on them, and have a hard time breaking free just because of their race, class, and color. As I went to school in Harlem for four years, this seems to be the case. The three classifications of neighborhoods, ghettos, enclaves, and citadels have similarities, as well as many differences, but according to Marcuse, people to not recognize the social importance of these differences.
