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Ryan, Madison
Honors English 10
Hoppe
8 November 2015
The Value of American Happiness

13 percent of the American population consists of immigrants from around the world.
America draws in about 20 percent of the entire worlds immigrants. In the past decades,
America has become increasingly well informed, tolerant, and diverse in the subject of racial and
cultural differences. This said, it must also be acknowledged that this progress is not respected
by many Americans. Though immigrant families do benefit the U.S.A., there are many
stereotypes and uninformed rumors that oppose them in their efforts to assimilate into the
American culture. A general perception of immigration is that it usually causes unhappiness and
poverty. However, the factual truth of the matter is that it typically provides opportunities and
liberties an immigrant wouldnt have otherwise had.
To begin, immigration provides migrants with freedoms and safety of which they had not
had in their former situation. By moving to America, immigrants are given the liberty to exercise
their rights as a human being, and take control of their own lives. A predominant factor in the
need for immigration would be oppression and lack of freedom; conveniently, America is land of
the free, granting rights and equality to everybody. Even in points in history where that ideal may
not ring true entirely, it was still the foundation of life for many Americans and was often
expressed to remind people. A popular form of reminder is political cartoons, which often
critiques and makes valid point for and about immigration, calling on the basis of Americas
birth and its meaning in existence to do so; Hands off, Gentlemen! America means fair play for
every man (Doc H). The entire nation was born of the need to be liberated from oppression, and
this need translates today as freedom of choice for all. Because of this, it appeals to those in a
hard spot in life, even if it means risking their safety and position. Bread Givers tells the story of
a young woman whose aspirations are being disregarded for the sake of an old and oppressive
culture; she flees them to America, so that she can be her own person, not just an unmarried
daughter to be bought and sold (Document C). By immigrating to America, she opened herself
with the opportunity to learn and have rights of her own. Had she not moved, she would have led
a life she did not want, and would never have had any power over how she lived. America stands
as a safe haven for many immigrants, from the struggles and crises of their native lands. When
communism overtook China in Woman Warriors, "My mother left China in the winter of
1939"(Kingston 96). Brave Orchid lives safe from communism after that, and her children found
good lives in America. Moving to the U.S.A. more often than not improves the lives of migrants,
shielding them from past struggles and giving them the control and independence that they seek
for a life well lived.
Furthermore, relocating to America typically leads to financial stability and prosperity in
work and situation. For many immigrants, poverty and lack of work opportunity is what causes
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them to move--or at least, is a factor in it. Everyone, whether local or foreign, has the freedom to
pursue life, liberty, and happiness in America, so it is one of the most desirable countries in
which families can thrive and begin successful careers. One man who learns to use these
freedoms to his benefit is Richard Rodriguez, who is a well known writer. He is the son of
Mexican immigrants and...later earned advanced degrees at Stanford and Columbia Universities
(Document E). Richard, previously known as Ricardo in childhood, only had to learn English to
succeed in America, and rose higher than the average American-born person. It did not take long
for him to reach his full potential. In fact, studies show that time is what makes the lives of
immigrants better. In Document A, we are given statistics on the poverty rate for specific
immigrant age groups. As the age groups become older, signaling the progress of time, the
poverty percentage lessens. The likelihood of coming to America and becoming and remaining
poor is unlikely, and most likely provide the immigrants with more monetary success than they
would have achieved in the nations they emigrated from, given the fact that few ever return to
their native nations. A family we have studied in our reading further proves this point. Fictional
character Jin Wangs parents come to America from China, and were poor and working in low
class jobs during their first few years in the new country. However, after a number of years, both
are able to pursue the careers they want, which ultimately leads to financial stability and
prosperity in their family (Document F). The status quo regarding immigration and the rate of
success is that it typically does bring good results with hard work and patience; two acts that are
expected of all Americans, immigrant or otherwise.
Additionally, immigration to America provides a more stable and humane social structure
to live under, for immigrants children. A notable cause for immigration would be the
obstruction of human rights; most often being gender bias or religious intolerance. The U.S.A.
provides equal rights for everybody, and progresses to perfect that goal everyday - an effort
which eases living to a major degree for immigrants, taking them away from inhumane social
pressures; specifically those of injustice, like countries with tyrant[s] from the Old World where
only men were people (Document C). Numerous cultures mistreat their people, or put them at
risk of violence. For this reason, immigrants come to America to give their children a better life
than what they themselves had been forced into. The results include children with a higher
chance of success, including a more advantageous education, far better than their parents and
ancestors: An so I am wot you calla me, Shust a dumb ole Dago man. Alla same my boy ees be
Smarta younga Merican (Document D). By immigrating, parents offer their children not only a
life away from painful and frightening cultures, but an undeniable social standing and rights.
They have access to education, free will, and possibilities of progress.
A popular claim argue against American immigration considers the emotional toll it has
on immigrants themselves. Specifically, the argument focuses on how emigration from a life
long home to a new and unfamiliar country brings about inevitable feelings of being Isolated
and isolation added to [their] loneliness...[and] separation from the community of the village
(Document B). It should be expected that moving to America, and thus forsaking all roots, would
make the lives of immigrants miserable on some degree. On the other hand, many people
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immigrate to America to escape a bad situation in their former country, and to find a better and
happier life; an act which normally succeeds. America is one of the best and progressive nations
in the world, ranked for recognizing and protecting human rights and civil freedom. The country
also recognizes the needs of immigrants and refugees specifically, and offers to them
opportunities for success and happiness, free from the turmoils of the Old World. The level of
hospitality present in America draws in tens of thousands of immigrants, who bring in new ideas
and communities that add to the cultural mix of America. As a result, the withdrawal of
migrants home countries is softened by their surviving culture and the support of immigrants in
similar situations. Village community mindsets as well as situational contentment are not strict to
one location and one life style. It can be found again, and even improved, in a new American
situation that provides both the safety and culture of which their former home lacked.
Another point brought against immigration to the United States of America would regard
the ever present threat of racial discrimination. Since many people in the nation are raised on the
ideals of racism, it makes living in America unsafe for immigrants not of American birth or
lineage. A very prominent example of this would be much of the nations history, which is laced
with racism and segregation. Many stories and political cartoons depict these sad times and their
remnants, cleverly implying it, or saying things like The Chinese must go directly (Document
H). These works of political literature are exact reflections of the mindsets of many Americans,
ideas that still survive and cause harm today. However, it must be recognized that hatred and
violence exists for all Americans, whether or not they were born here. While many of the
opinions from an old society still control many people, they have drastically decreased. Its an
uncommon occurrence for anyone to ever act on such ideas as well, as the government of the
U.S.A. has taken such care in protecting its immigrants. Many laws and programs have been
instated into American society to protect and provide for newcomers and their families, which
have had a notable effect on people. The strengthened efforts to accept immigrants as part of the
population (the deterioration of us and them thinking) have influenced communities and
groups to do so, and have also built a stable, safe, and favorable opportunity for immigrants to
make a home. This in turn keeps the few remaining racists at bay - when the majority is anti-
racist, it becomes less desirable to be racist, for they would be subject to shame and legal action.
Everyday, a new act is made against racism, and our progress from it has improved exponentially
in only the past hundred years. The population of America is very ethnically and religiously
diverse because of the countrys progress, final evidence for immigrants safety in the New
World.
Immigration is not a faceless bringer of misery, that yields no good. Immigration is a
popular method of self preservation and growth. It effectively removes people from unsafe or
unhappy situations, and also benefits America in long term. By moving to America, the future
generations are more likely to succeed and learn from each other, encouraging awareness,
tolerance, and civil growth. The short term benefits as well, by improving the economy with
working, buying, etc., and giving opportunity for cooperation and education between different
groups. An America without its immigrant groups would be non-existent. The nation itself is
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born and built on the process of immigration and the pursuit of liberty and happiness.
Specifically, a chance at happiness that families who immigrate would not have been able to live
on had they not moved. A large percentage of Americans do not understand or care about the
problems that refugees and immigrants face - thus, there is a large amount of racial tension and
intolerance. This amount has been decreased exponentially, but still exists. To teach people
tolerance and acceptance, the taking in of these immigrants and refugees must occur. To accept
them will not only give them a solid life, but will also unite humans in their knowledge and
integration, effectively breaking down social barriers between racial and religious groups.
Immigration is worth it, for it grants other human beings the same right to happiness and free
will that american borns have the privilege of, and that solid fact must be recognized.