Read the article below from the Chicago Tribune. After considering the perspectives in the article and our course readings, do you think Paul Ruff's email was appropriate? Should immigrants/new citizens assimilate to "traditional" American culture? Please support your responses with evidence and thoughtful analysis. I look forward to hearing from you!
www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-assessor-email_both_21aug21,0,4041765.story
Frankfort Township Assessor Paul Ruff stands by e-mail on Islam, immigrants
Official does not apologize for distributing missive in June
By Mary Owen
Chicago Tribune reporter
10:50 PM CDT, August 20, 2008
Despite outrage from the local Muslim community, a Frankfort Township official did not apologize Wednesday for circulating an e-mail with anti-Islamic sentiments."The e-mail's basic message was that people coming to this country should adapt," Township Assessor Paul Ruff said in a statement. "This wasn't a hateful e-mail, but one that touched upon a sentiment in this country and around the world that immigrants have to adapt to their new homes."
Statements in the e-mail were attributed to former Australian Prime Minister John Howard, who a few years ago ignited controversy with criticism of Islam and statements asserting that immigrants need to adapt to their new country.Ruff said he did not write the content of the e-mail, and its origins were unknown.The flap has drawn the ire of the Council on American-Islamic Relations of Chicago and members of a mosque in Frankfort, prompting residents and religious leaders to hold a town hall meeting last week to discuss discrimination against Muslims. Ruff did not attend the meeting."It's kind of a shock," Ahmed Rehab, executive director of the council, said Wednesday. "Clearly this is offensive behavior on behalf of a public official."
Ruff held a news conference at the township hall to defend himself against critics of the e-mail, which he acknowledges forwarding in June to people he knew.Two Will County sheriff's deputies were present at the township hall in case of a disturbance. Before Ruff spoke, officials distributed copies of letters to the editor from a local newspaper and played audio recordings of voice-mail messages from people who agree with Ruff.Among the voice-mail messages were statements such as: "Thank you for standing up for our way of life" and "It's about time someone had the you-know-what to speak up."
Rehab criticized Ruff's use of the township hall for his news conference and was frustrated by the distribution of letters to the editor."If we were unhappy with his behavior before, this is even worse," he said. "He can't keep hiding behind somebody else's name and passing out material that is hateful to support his perspective."Ruff said he is not a bigot or a racist, noting he has black and Hispanic neighbors. However, he did reiterate sentiments in the e-mail that denounced Islam and said the religion "institutionalizes discrimination against women and non-Muslims."
Tariq Khan, a board trustee for the American Islamic Association, which operates the Frankfort mosque, said he believes Ruff's response will further strain relations with the Muslim community."It's unfortunate that he's been so stubborn in not apologizing," said Khan, who arrived at the township hall moments after the news conference ended. "It's time to move on. He is a fine public servant, but I feel he made an error in judgment. "Ruff said he was being smeared by people angry about their property assessments.Phyllis Leonardo, 75, of Beecher said she came to support Ruff after seeing criticism of him in the newspaper."They're trying to change our way of living," she said. "Why are we selling our country out?"mowen@tribune.com
Copyright © 2008, Chicago Tribune
Original Post: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-assessor-email_both_21aug21,0,4041765.story
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Assimilation or Racism
Posted by Mr. P at 7:11 AM
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56 comments:
Ignoramus or Moron who thinks Islam is a race?
Muslims Against Sharia vigorously object to characterization of 'Muslims who want to live under Islamic law [need] to "get out of the country"' sentiment as anti-Muslim. There are many Muslims in America who left Islamic countries for a single reason: to escape the yoke of Sharia. We fully support the sentiment that if someone wants to live under Sharia, they should immediately leave the United States. On the one hand, there are plenty of countries in the world that are ruled by Sharia law; so Sharia proponents can be free to practice according to their beliefs. On the other hand, Sharia is incompatible with Democracy and installation of Sharia in the United States will result in denying freedoms for the vast majority of the population, including Muslims.
http://muslimsagainstsharia.blogspot.com/2008/08/e-mail-called-on-muslims-who-want-to.html
Hi All,
the above comment is from a non-profit organization based in Omaha, NE: Muslims Against Sharia (MAS). I considered deleting the post as it does not stem from a classmate of ours, but in the name of public discourse (which is, after all, the point of a blog) I figured I'd leave it. You may consider the MAS comments if you wish (although I hope we can level our discussion above simple name-calling).
Look forward to hearing from you!
After reading this, I think that Paul Ruff's email was very inappropriate because he thinks that Islamic people should give their culture just to come to America. Mr. Ruff is here in America and he doesn't have the same way of life as other Americans, so why do Islamic people have to give up their way of life when they come to America? I don't think that immigeants/new citizens should adapt to "traditional" American culture unless they really want to do so. The different people with varying cultures and ways of life is what makes America the melting pot that it is. If everybody had the same culture and ways of life as everybody else, then America wouldn't be the exciting and well-rounded place that it is today.
In my opinion i think he is wrong for the statement let me explain. He is in the wrong because America is known as " The Land Of The Free." The comment about if you live here ajust to how we live he was wrong for that because every in America should have an equal chance to become a better person not pending on where you come from. He is also wrong because you cannot make a person change their customs or beliefs.
I don’t think the email was appropriate or inappropriate due to the fact it was Ruff’s opinion. I do feel that his views are ignorant and uneducated. He seems not to know that American culture in itself is a mixture of different cultures combined. A person can be patriotic toward America and proud of the country, but I don’t feel that America has its own culture. He says he isn’t racist but he has to add the fact he has ‘black and Hispanic neighbors’. I don’t believe he chose his home just for that reason. He is entitled to his views but he shouldn't try to force other people to share them, that's what i think is inappropriate.
Hi All,
I want to "push back" on a few things that I've seen so far.
Is America really a "melting pot?" How can people maintain their cultural and spiritual beliefs in a melting pot--after all--doesn't that analogy suggest that people give up their culture to assimilate?
I think that idea and Paul Ruff's email begs the question: to what extent should people coming to the U.S. assimilate? And if they assimilate, what does that look like? Thinking in the context of Salaita's book, how might assimilation affect our views of other countries whom we view as "different?"
Lastly--please check your grammar and spelling before posting!
First. Paul Ruff is a racist whether he believes it or not. The email itself wasn't inappropriate but again completely racist. It wasn't inappropriate because those are his opinion's and views whether anyone likes them or not. However, that doesn't mean we have to agree with him. Why should immigrants have to adapt to their new home? Why does it matter how they live in the first place? It was completely unnecessary to send an email with anti-Islamic sentiments. Mister Ruff doesn't want to apologize because then it means he did something wrong. And he won't apologize because thats exactly how he feels. Sure, he may live next door to Hispanics and Blacks, but does he live next to Muslims? I highly doubt it. And to Phyllis Leonardo, nobody is trying to change your way of living. Aren't you still living the same way as you did yesterday before you read the paper? We need to get off the backs of immigrants, whoever they may be, and let them live how they want. We should feel proud that they even want to come to America with all these racial slurs being thrown around. And mister Ruff, just because they don't act the same as you, or dress the same, doesn't mean they should adapt and take on American traits. Live your life and they'll live theirs.
I do not believe that the email was inappropriate, because as dorothy said, he is obligated to his own opinion. However, the statements and choice of words he used did not make him sound accurate or appeasing. He sounded as if he was guilty and he had nothing to say other than he's "not a bigot or racist and has Black and Hispanic neighbors". But what does that have to do with him disrespecting the religion of Muslims or any other religions? In my opinion, it has nothing to do with it. I do believe immigrants should assimilate to American culture. On the other hand, what is the "traditional" American culture? Are you speaking from the Founding Fathers, or the stereotypical clothing and foods Americans may eat?
I believe that immigrants should adapt to America just as any other race or individual has to adapt to a new environment they're set in. It doesn't matter the reason, but it does matter the steps one takes to make living there worth while. Furthermore, Howard's views or at least the way he spoke of them, are insulting and inappropriate. Quote: "IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali, we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians."
"This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom." "We speak ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society learn the language!" (Sun-Times News Group) http://blogs.southtownstar.com/lincolnway/2008/08/ruffs_email_entirely.html
This may be the reason why Ruff's opponents feel that he was inappropriate; because he followed the views of Howard, in which can clearly upset an individual. I am not a Muslim or an immigrant, but his comments insulted me. Adapting is one thing, but forgetting about one's own culture, completely changing the way of life is the other. Those choices should be made by the individual himself-not someone else with so many strong views.
First off, I believe that his newsletter was a bit inappropiate but was not wrong because he was stating what he believes. And in no way was he being racist. I simply believe that he is not open-minded and may be somewhat ignorant. I think that when some read it they were quick to jump to conclusions and not understand what he could have meant. Of course, immigrants should come and adapt to America. I mean first off, it is something different from where they are coming from. Different languages, cultures, beliefs, religions,etc. I would even encourage them to get used to some of American customs being that they're now going to be living with it and around. They will definitely need to adapt in order to get jobs and to get around. But they should be able to bring some of they're customs to share with us! If I were an immigrant, I wouldn't just be able to let go of what my life was like before I came to America. I would simply just adjust to the new things around me, and try to teach people about things from where I came from. The American culture has grown to be a mix of many different cultures and consists of what we do, how we do things, and so on. I don't think that he was trying to be racist when he stated having "black and hispanic neighbors" because he is trying to let the readers know that he has lived around some other cultures. Paul Ruff simply needs to become more open with the different people coming to join us and try to learn a bit about them before he judges and states his opinion so boldly.
Yes, Paul Riff's email was appropiate because it was simply expressing a view and opinion. We all as American citizens have the right to that don't we? Riff said that the emails weren't directly from him so why is there such a big controveresy. If everyone assimilated to American life and culture, there would be no diversity in America. America is based off diversity and differences among people, so why should people be traditional? Riff even states, "This wasn't a hateful e-mail, but one that touched upon a sentiment in this country and around the world that immigrants have to adapt to their new homes." He was correct in his statement and people were being too sensitive to the email. People need to think outside of the box and comprehend what exactly is being said.
Immigrants should not have to do much to assimilate to American life. If they assimilate too much, culture and diversity will be lost. There is no point in turning America into a "melting pot" because everyone will be the same. Honestly, if the melting pot effect emerges than the only difference in everyone will be skin color.
In my opinion Ruff's email was or wasnt appropriate but only because we are not the people to decide whats "appropriate and not" because its his opinion and we must all respect that. But, if its eneducated and racist? I would argue that although he seems to know "much" he really doesnt and is being ignorant about it. When one thinks of "America" we think "land of the free", Ruff's email is a total contradiction to the "land of the free". We as diverse people from around the world should never have to assimilate to another's customs or traditions as we already have traditions of our own. Although Ruff didnt cleary show us that he was being racist towards the arab americans as well as any other "incoming" race, we can tell that he has a problem with other ingredients(races) adding to the melting pot. America was created from diverse people and as more diverse people from around the world add to this multicultural country, people who dont like it will just have to suck it up because they dont own this country they live here.
I agree with budda21001 with the statement that America is the "Land of the Free". There was a time in history where people left their home countries to live in America because of the wide range of freedom Americans had. Different races and cultures came to America to excape the tyranny of dictators, to excape the outcasting and shunning from other memebers of their countries becuse of their ethnic bckgrounds, or way of life. Now all of a sudden in modern times, people who immigrant here have to assimilate to the American culture? I disagree fully with this statement and feel it is almost disrespectful to not only muslims, Arabs, or Arab Americans, but to all immigrants of all nationalities, races, ethnicities, and cultures.
I don't think its right that people should come to America only to lose what they came here to gain, freedom. This is what defines America, diversity. Just because someone is from another place, speak a different language, or eat different foods shouldn't be forced to assimilate to eating hot dogs of going to baseball games. Paul Ruff's email was insulting not only to Islamic Arab immigrants , but to every immigrant that has come into this country.We as apeople shold learn from Ruff's mistake, ignorace. From his closed mindness, we can see the racial barriersthatis taking over this nation. There isn't a set law that explains what an American is, the Chinese, Africans, Russians, etc are filling all top notch "American" jobs. So why should someone of another culture conform to the "American" society when the people who built this country with there culture are being forced to change it to something else?
One should not assimilate to American culture but instead should adapt and respect the culture of Americans. For instance, if an American was to move to Paris he would be expected to learn French and live the way the French do in order to live a good and vast life there. It would be outrages if he was to try to spread his culture in that place. Why isn't it the same way in America? Does America not have her own culture that should respected? Is her history not long enough to be respected? Is her official language not good enough to learn? People across the world long to live the American dream and with that dream comes the American way of life - the baseball, apple pie, and capitalism all engulfed in one society. A part of American culture is freedom, with that - Ruff's email is totally appropriate. The context may be a little unpatriotic, but in no other place could he write that freely and it be accepted.
Paul Ruff's email is insulting to all immigrant that have entered into the US. No immigrant who enter the U.S shouldn't have to adapt to americans culture. Every immigrant has a reason for leaving their home and maybe some have similar reason like to search for freedom or to work or run away from something. Immigrants shouldn't have to adapt to american culture, because everyone came into the U.S and everyone is different, no matter who you are every one is different. So their is no american culture, it's just a majority of society choosing what's the American Culture.
I don't agree that they should assimilate to American Culture. Because in America we're full of different races and cultures and if they conform with us it's ok but even if they don't we shouldn't have a problem with it. I always like to look at both sides and picture myself in the opposites shoes. If I wanted to fit in and not be looked at differently then I would conform to America, but if I wanted to give Americans a taste of what my culture is like then I would stay the same. So they shouldn't be forced to assimilate to America, it should be by choice and because it's what they choose. I also disagree with Paul Ruff's choice in sending through an e-mail. I understand we have freedom of speech but he is wrong for this. His purpose was probably to send the message to a couple people, so that they would forward it, and so on. By the time it gets around everyone would want to agree and say either you be like us (assimilate) or you have to go somewhere else with your culture. I don't think that's what America wants our different cultures to think.
What is assimilation in America - in a pool of mixed cultures? How does it look? HOw can somone of a specific religion - Islam adapt to the "american" life when it does exist. "Adapt and adjust" to a country thats made of immigrants and its real natives exstinct. This is clearly racism. Why? Ruff seems to believe that all Americans have inherented a trait that can be differed from a immigrant, that makes our culture superior to their's, detailing immigratns as the minority who need to adapt to the "american culture". This is the basic definition of racism and in this email can not be disguised as assimilation.
No i do not believe that they should have to change their way of life to fit in with america. I say that because if you look at america's history that is what it is based on, immergrants coming to a new land to get away from their native lands judging them because of how they live their lifes. Mostly the concern is religion when they leave their homes and since america has been founded upon this sense of getting away from religous hatered it has to allow people to come in and be who they wanna be.
I disagree with Paul Ruff's comment because it is wrong to try and change the way that people live. Immigrants should not be forced to assimilate to American culture. As long as they follow the laws of the United States then are fine. Paul Ruff's comment was very inappropriate. Americans are always trying to change people and civilize them. I wonder has it ever occurred to them that people are happy just the way they are. His statement completely goes against the foundation of America. Americans are supposed to be created equal and disparity is what America is known for. Therefore Paul Ruff is very wrong and I disagree with him.
I think this e-mail was inappropriate because just because one does not folow the same beliefs or have the same religion does not make them less of a person or 'unamerican'.This statement reminds me of another ignorant thing said by Auster "remove the citzenship of and deport all naturalized and native-born citzens..." these statments are poltically wrong but are they writers personal opinions. i believe the email was inappropriate but not racist i think that term is always shouted when some one does not completely agree with some thing
I think Paul Ruff's e-mail was inappropriate to some extent. Paul Ruff was just putting out his thought into words when writing the e-mail, he didn't think that it would lead to such controversy. But, what he should have done was he should have thoughtup more on how to say what he wanted to say. Paul Ruff didn't really mean to say that '...people coming to this country should adapt,' entirely. He most likely meant in certain ways, to a certain extent.
Immigrants/new citizens should not, by any means, be forced to assimilate to "traditional" American culture unless choosing to. We are all rightful in our own judgements but we shall not try to lay upon others our way of living if it is not their way. Immigrants have come a long way from home, leaving their land to come and walk into the 'promise land,' but this does not mean that they have forgotten their culture/everyday traditions.
After reading this Is innappropiate becuase Paul Ruff is sort of stating that if you do not conform to Americas beliefs and traditions it makes you less or does make you American, but "unAmerican". I believe that this is wrong becuase this is not always the case, people come to America, yes, to live better and happier lives but it says nowhere that you have to conform to our American Society and beliefs to be that better person. I then relate this to my previous comment where America is based on all the diversity, all of the other cultures...the diversity is what makes up America.
I’m behind a rock in a hard place when it comes to answering this question. First and foremost I believe that whenever you move to and or visit another country you should respect that societies beliefs, goals and traditions....But I do not in any way shape or form think it is an individuals job to "conform"...I think when people like Paul Ruff speak out loud they forget that all people carry over one common denominator which is humanity. …As human beings everyone has a right to be different! Be it through something as massive as religion or small as gym shoe manufacturer…It is a shame that in the 21st century when people are dieing of genocide, world hunger and or poverty>>we are still at a point where we can not accept one another’s beliefs. Ruff is attempting to annihilate and rob the Arab population of their culture. This state of xenophobia which so many people seem to have towards Arabic people and other minorities is nothing more than frivolous....I believe that not only should Ruff have apologized but he also should have been ashamed of his actions because it is the very words that he used in that e-mail that are the seeds which grow hatred and racism....No matter how subtle he believed his opinion was......It was wrong!!
Personally I do feel that the email was inappropriate, but then again I would be going against a law that was already made which is freedom of speech. Hi opinion is his opinion, I don't believe it was right for his to broadcast it, but then again you can't get upset with him because of the way he feels. The only thing I really find inappropriate is the fact he let everyone know his feelings toward that racial group.
~Luv ya gurl Kenyatta~~~~~`
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Personally I do feel that the email was inappropriate, but then again I would be going against a law that was already made which is freedom of speech. Hi opinion is his opinion, I don't believe it was right for his to broadcast it, but then again you can't get upset with him because of the way he feels. The only thing I really find inappropriate is the fact he let everyone know his feelings toward that racial group.
~Luv ya gurl Kenyatta~~~~~`
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Well after reading the article I would also like to say that I believe Paul Ruff's email was silly. I dont get how he says that if people come to america they should adapt to the country. That really doesnt make since to me because america is really a melting pot country. There is so many different cultures mixed into america that there is really nothing to adapt to, because mostlikely whatever culture you are apart of it is already here in america. I mean I guess I kind of understand a little bit, maybe when he says adapt he is saying like if they move to the city its really busy from if they come from like a country were there arent any big bulidings. Like the life style maybe he means they're going to pay for things differently then they would in their own country. IDK like exactly what he means by adapt.And when he speaks of our way of life>?< What is it?? Im confused on that part. The sterotype of a typical american is someone that is so full of themselves and has their nose so far up in the air it reaches beyond the clouds. Is that what he truly wants people to think of america?? I agree with Khan he just made a bad judgment, I dont know if that would make him so much of a racist but he is close in my opinion!!ITS ME KE*TAE=KESHANTE
First of all, no. I do not think Paul Ruff's email was appropriate even if he is speaking up for those who may feel a certain way. Also NO I do NOT feel that immigrants should assimilate to the "american" culture. The reason being is because our nation is looked upon as beautiful because of its diversity and because people have established communities such as "China Town, Little Village, Little Italy, and so forth." Its communities such as these that make a city like Chicago more diverse and more open-minded. Truthfully I feel embarrased at being from "America" because of how we make others feel when they get here, from which ever country they are from.
THAT IS SO TRUE I AGREE WITH JIMMYLEE ON THAT POINT SHE MADE IM EMBARRASED TO AMERICA HURTS PEEPZ FEELINGS THATS SO NOT COOL!! HOW CAN YOU INVITE PEEPZ BUT WHEN THEY GET HER BASH THEM TO THA POINT WHERE THEY WISH THEY NEVER LEFT THEIR COUNTRY!! ITS LIKE WHAT WAS THA POINT IN THE FIRST PLACE? THEY BELIEVED THEY SAW SOME GOOD IN AMERICA BUT IT WAS JUST A MASK COVERIN UP WHAT IS KIND OF THE SAME AS THEIR COUNTRY!!its me ke*tae=keshante
Paul Ruff maybe a racist but I don’t think that his email was inappropriate. He was just expressing his views and opinions which everyone has a right to do according to our rights as people. I agree with Ruff, I feel that immigrants need to adapt to America if they come here. It’s just a means of being able to survive by getting adapted to the different surroundings. For example, if you were to move to another country, the people in that country would want you to adapt. If you didn’t adapt if would be hard for you to stay there and be happy. Adapting doesn’t mean changing it just means getting use to the way things are in the country you are currently in.
I don’t think that immigrants should assimilate to American culture. I believe that everyone has their own right to stand out and be different. They can live in America and still follow some of their traditions of their home country. If you were to leave your country to go to another to live you would still want to follow some of your old traditions because it is something you never want to forget. No matter where you go you should never forget where you came from.
I dont think his email was appropiate but I dont think it was wrong for him to express his opinion. Should immigrants adapt to traditional American culture? Yes immigrants should. Imagine if a japanese person spoke japanese and never learned how to speak japanese, how would he make it in America. It would be hard to find a good job or even talk to someone about a job. So yes an immigrant has to adapt in order to be successful in America. I mean most immigrants come to America for a better life, so that's what they'll have to do. Letting go of their culture is what I dont think they have to do in this process. One would have both. For example, there are people who can speak English and their origninal language fluently. That's an example of assimilating but still holding on to their own culture.
The e-mail was just a bunch of opinions; people shouldn’t take it seriously or offensively. Immigrants are able to live their lives as they please if they chose so. There isn’t anybody forcing to them to live any different. Although for their own well being I think it is important for immigrants to assimilate to an American culture to a certain extend. Some of Ruff’s comments may have been insulting to the Muslim community but at the same time I think he is being realistic. Immigrant’s t do have to learn to adapt to a different culture or sometimes to a variety of cultures and society has imposed that. Many of the blogs say that immigrant families don’t have to adapt to an American culture and that is a lie. I myself come from parents who are immigrants and I do see the changes they have made to have a better living or to fit in because truly who wants to be outcast or the one who gets stares and pointing fingers all the time. So back to my argument Ruff is in some way correct immigrant families to have the need to assimilate to the American culture to a certain extend. And it is up to them to decide to what extend they are willing to go.
What exactly is "traditional" American culture? Since colonial times there has always been talk of immigration. No one way of life can determine American culture. America has no official language or ethnic group/nationality; it is a melting pot where thousands of people come daily to get away from laws that keep them from expressing themselves, or am I confused? Isn't America supposed to be land of the free? Doesn't that mean that every citizen has the right to assimilate (conform) when they want to?
Mr. Ruff's email was inappropriate because while assimilation is the easier route to take, it isn't necessarily the best thing for the country. If everybody had went the route of assimilation upon entering America then there would be no ethnic food we love so much (Italian, Chinese, Indian, Mexican food) wouldn't exist.
America has one synonym that describes it the best and that is diverse. If our ancestors over time had assimilated would America still be the place we know today? I think not.
Ruff's coomment was very inappropriate. i beileve that it was ignorant and should have not been circulated. Assimilation to me is a prsonal choice and should be left up to the individual; furthermore, America was founded on idviduality, differences, etc. and this is what makes our country what it is today. What authority did Ruff have in stating something so juevnile? Without foreginors or refugees, whether they be arab, mexican, german, or french, someone from that ancestrey made a positive contribution to America. Some examples include Ceaser Chavez, and Einstein who was a refugee. Overall, i beileve that arabs should keep the cultural intact and avoid assimilation becuase the diversity that it brings is what makes america unique.
I don't think his e-mail was inappropriate and everyone is entitled to their opinion. Lately, I've been feeling as though a lot of people are sensitive and don't realize the harshness and rudeness that comes along with living in America. I don't think everyone should take comments so personally. But I don't necessarily believe you have to adapt to America but I think there are thhings you need to get accustomed too. Like "lady*dutches" said you have to get used to the way some of the things work here you..you just can't come and "be" you have to work & go to school to receive an education! Life is not free! I don't think he was being racist either.
Although in America everyone is entitled to their own opinion Mr. Ruff's email was not appropriate. It was inappropriate because there is no such thing as "traditional" American culture. Everything in America is inspired by another nation. From the language we speak to the people who live here. People migrate to America to have a better life. Giving up your values to accept "traditional" America isn't living a better life. If people coming to America do assimilate, it should be to the point where they speak English to obtain careers but not to the point where they change their entire lifestyle. "The religion institutionalizes discrimination against women and non-Muslims." In my opinion, Mr. Ruff was not publicizing an intellegent analysis of migration in America, he was publicizing his prejudice towards Muslims.
I do not agree with Mr Ruff's email even if he says he didn't write it. I don't believe people should have to adapt to the "tradional" American culture because there isn't one. Having people from different backgrounds and cultures makes America diverse. America is like a "melting pot" so everything comes and melts together. Meaning that America is deprived of people different people that make it America today. Mr. Ruff was rude because he's basically saying if your not going be like "white" america then leave
Paul Ruff's email was definitely inappropriate he should address things concerning his political office. I think in a way Paul Ruff was right, people coming to a new place do have to adapt to the new environment but I don't think they should necessarily assimilate to "the American way of Life". I think its important that they keep their customs and traditions its apart of their heritage.
I think everyone does have a right to their own opinion, whether it is ignorant or not. Although Ruff may or may not have written it, it’s still an opinion. Of course I don’t agree with the statement because I believe that people come to this country for a better life but still come with their own values, traditions, and customs. And I don’t know why people are saying "their changing our way of life" when no one if changing "their" way of life. The email was about immigrants changing not changing anyone else. Just because someone isn’t like you doesn’t mean they are trying to change you, that lady was ignorant because there was no one trying to change her. If anything she is trying to change others by making them like her. I don’t believe immigrants should have to follow American "traditional" cultures or what ever. The only thing that immigrants should follow is the law. Their way of life is up to them and of no one is forcing natural born citizens to follow certain customs, those immigrants shouldn’t either.
I believe Ruff’s email was inappropriate, but he is still allowed his own opinion. When I first read the letter it reminded me of a blog we did before on what “we” Americans can be defined as, and I remember so many people saying that America has no specific identity, we are not black we are not white; although many try and fit a race mask on this country. I feel the same with this email. Ruff believed that Muslims and immigrants have to “adapt to their new homes” and to some extent that is true because when any individual comes to a different environment, place, or country, they do have to adapt to the laws, the food, the air, etc...but they still can maintain their culture and language and religion. Not trying to change America but adding on to the many cultures that already exist in America. At the end of the article Phyllis Leonardo said "They're trying to change our way of living," she said. "Why are we selling our country out?" Two points I want to make toward this statement, one by others coming to our country and changing their ways to fit ours aren’t we changing their way of living? By doing so we’re doing to them what they supposedly could do to us. Another point would be that by accepting others and their culture into the “traditional” American culture is not “selling” our country out! In fact by accepting more the richer our country becomes in diversity, the more other country’s wish to be like us, and the more “American” we become!
I believe Paul Ruff's email can be seen as both inappropriate and appropriate to certain people. People are always entitled to their own opinion even though it seems that opinions always create controversy. I thought part of the email was inappropriate, especially his use of words ("get out of the country"), but the people need to realize that it is just an opinion. No matter what, if one lives in this country, they're going to adapt to "American" ways even if they don't notice it. People with different cultures shouldn't change their ways of life to fit the American culture since America is a huge "melting pot" of different cultures, but if one is living in this country, the culture here has to be recognized.
Ruff Paul I beieve, was simply stating his own opinion. Sure what he said was racist, but as people have mentioned, he is entitled to his own opinion. America is supposed to be "Land of the Free" and America is made up of different and diverse cultures. So why would someone be forced to learn the American way of life. They can adapt to American rules but they should be able to bring their own beliefs and cultures to America and enjoy living here. Basically, all America is made up of is Immigrants.
No, I don't think Paul Ruffs e-mail was appropriate. Paul Ruff has no say in what people should do when they come to America. Basically he is telling these people that no matter what their previous culture consisted of, when they come to America they need to forget about and live by our culture. That raises the question of does America even have one specific culture that any immigrant (or person for that matter) could assimilate to? America is always referred to as a melting pot. There are so many different cultures here as it is, so what exactly is it that Paul Ruff is asking these immigrants to do. It sounds to me like he wants them to be like him; like he sees the things that he believes in and the things that he does as American culture.
There is alot of people that I agree with on this blog. To start off with Dorothy. I totally agree with the fact that we can not call Paul Ruff's article inappropriate or appropriate. Like she said, it's his opinion. However, I also agree with MiMi on the fact that we also have our own opinion and the RIGHT to call him RACIST. This is article was...interesting (for lack of better word). Mr.Pond poses a very interesting question. I say this because I believe that culture in itself is a very touchy topic. Alot of things that go on in different cultures to them can be very sacred. However, if you are living in America assimilation is bound to happen.This is America. This question reminds me of the part in "The Simpsons Movie", when Homer was telling his family that America was the place where any man can make money and he opened the curtain of the hotel room to reveal all of the different stores and buildings whose names were in different languages. To answer part two of this blog, America is a melting pot.That is why it's amazing that there is so much hatred and racism. This is what I was touching at in the first blog question. The whole fact that we share cultures already and once upon of time we, as Americans, prided ourselves because of that. There shouldn't have to be a question on "to what extent should we assimilate". We are America. "United (as in together) We Stand".
After reading the article I am confused on my thoughts. In a way I feel his e-mail is racist, yet on the other hand I understand where he is coming from. People come to America for various reasons, and should not have to lose their culture and background because America thinks they should adapt to America’s life style. It seems very selfish for America to have such narrow minded views. On the other hand this is our country and an outsider so to speak really doesn’t have that much says. If they feel like they’re being asked too much they can simply go back where they came from. We must keep in mind an e-mail is his opinion, therefore he is entitled to say what he wants to say, freedom of speech.
After reading this article i have come to a conclusion that Mr. Ruff was really wrong for his actions that executed. My reason for not agreeing with his choice to send out an email to someone else and his coworkers is because whom ever he may have sent the email too could possibly be of the islamic race. it was also wrong because he did it on government time as well as using government properties. I dont think that immigrants should HAVE to adapt to the "traditional" ways of America if they dont want to... its not a must but to get through life in america they are going to eventually adapt anyway.
I believe he should not have circulated such a comment around to his collegues like that. His belief is just a belief and one of many. Furthermore, he refuses to apologize when it it obvious that he is hurting many people by being stubborn.
I also disagree with the emails content. I do not believe that people from outside countries need to 'become American'. America is diverse.
I think that Paul Ruff's email was inappropriate because he has no right to say that immigrants should adapt to American culture. Immigrants or new citizens should not have to adapt to "traditional" American culture because America is not formed by just one culture. America is formed by people of many races and cultures. And to say that immigrants should conform to the "American culture" or statements like "Thank you for standing up for our way of life" is ignorant and show that they are xenophobic because they are afraid of something different such as the change of another culture.
I believe that Mr. Ruff was wrong for making the staement that he made.Immigrants should not have to adapt to american culture because they already ahve their own culture, and you shouldn't have to pull someone out of their own comfort because you believe that they should do it.
I personally don't believe Mr. Ruff is a racist. He's ignorant for sending the email to people, but not a racist. That "immigrants have to adapt to their new home" is just his opinion. Alot of people i know (not including me)think that Mexicans need to assimilate to American/English Culture because everything sold now is in english & in spanish. But them themsleves arent racist, that's just their opinion. Yes, America is a melting pot of nationalities, but when you're coming here as an immigrant at least be open minded.
I feel tha immigrants in American should be held to some form of assimilation when they come to a new home. they should embrace the cultur of their habitat, evidently they moved there so there must not be musch wrong with the culture that they have moved in to. i mean, how can they survive within a country and they don't even know the language. it is not up to the country to assimilate to the immigrants, because then the country would lose its foundation. i'm not saying that it was fair for him to single out Arabs, but i am saying some things are expected. i don't think that new religion should be forced upon them , or that they should be forced to detatch from their unique cultures.
I totatlly disagress with Paul Ruff and I feel that is such a very ignorant thing to say. In my opinion I think that no one should have to give up thier culture just to come to America, I mean we are known for "The Land of the Free" so why would we make someone give up thier culture if they come here to be free in the first place. And why pinpoint the Islamic people in the first place. It should be someone's personal option to adapt to the American culture and if they choose not to do so it should be okay.
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