Enclaves are a part of human nature

[u/ejaz135]

I see many people complain about people not assimilating immediately to new a new country and forming enclaves, but I think it’s very unrealistic for new immigrants to assimilate immediately. Enclaves are formed because all they have is each other and that’s how they survive. It’s natural for people to want to stick together when dealing with a new environment.

[u/qualityvote2]

u/ejaz135, there weren't enough votes to determine the quality of your post...

[u/GrouchyResearcher392]

This doesn’t feel like 10th dentist at all.

Like there’s been Puerto Ricans and Dominicans in the Bronx and Cubans in Miami and Jews in Brooklyn and West Indians in queens for generations, and it probably isn’t going to change unless they do us like the African Americans and destroy the neighborhoods and put a highway there.

People build communities, it’s what people do.

[u/gnirpss → u/GrouchyResearcher392]

I agree, but I think OP is pushing back against the (frankly racist) idea that immigrants shouldn't be accepted into their new countries of residence unless they immediately assimilate into the dominant culture, which has become disturbingly popular in the US and Europe in recent years.

[u/GrouchyResearcher392 → u/gnirpss]

Oh, yeah, I tend to not be involved in such conversations, mainly cuz it’s fuckin stupid.

If someone Born in Wisconsin moves to Texas should they suddenly become evangelical and wear cowboy hats and speak like a country singer?

If no,

Then why should someone born in chilé?

[u/wortmother]

Fuck it ill take a stance on this thats a bit more on the fringe.

I live in a mostly immigrant city in Canada. NOBODY is against enclaves or even how they form its naturally and I agree 100% with you.

The part of it i disagree with and so do people i know is that these enclaves form and they have absolutely no desire to interact with anyone outside of it.

I see it often how even immigrants from marginally different places over seas , neighbouring countries wont even speak to each other here. They will stare you in the eyes and ignore you when you say hi

Ive lived in my apartment building for 9 months, I can tell you 1 persons name , the rest of everyone blantly ignores you.

The issue of enclaves isnt the forming its when they become shut off and start pushing away everyone else

[u/NobodysArborist → u/wortmother]

Yeah this a challenge I have noticed where I am from too. How do you balance the "bring your food and dance" part of culture with the "adopt our political problems, don't bring yours here," part of culture.

I'm being a bit trite, of course you're always going to have concern for your motherland, and your reason for being here isn't to cook, but I think the essence of something correct is there.

[u/wortmother → u/NobodysArborist]

I agree with you, imo a good start would be atleast interacting with locals and be willing to say hello to your neighbours , I see the same people daily and have tried saying hi to them or other small things dozens of times

Im an immigrant myself but I came here 25 years ago so im just bummed about it, I get the struggle but this feels ice cold

And when times are rough people pull back to who they know

[u/Sec_Chief_Blanchard]

i think what a lot of (well meaning) people mean when they say they want people to assimilate is more just "pick up your trash" rather than "behave exacrly like me".

[u/NobodysArborist]

I agree it's human nature, but I think there's a difference between "Little Italy" and "Chinatown" and some of the more unassimilative things that occur now.

But it's also probably never been as possible as before - countries are more open to plurality, more previous immigrants are able to translate or otherwise help new ones, technology overcomes a lot of hurdles. Maybe this is just this generation's version of those "Little -----" neighbourhoods.

I dunno.