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Catch-All/Student Discussion Questions

Assimilation

In this most recent reading of We Wanted Workers the author heavily focuses on the idea of assimilation and the implications that assimilation has on both immigrants and the rest of the American public. The author notes that all throughout American history assimilation by groups of immigrants has been relatively quick and common. The author states that nearly every group throughout previous American history has assimilated and has done so at a rapid pace. This is important to note due to the fact that immigrants from Mexico, according to the author, have not been assimilating at the same pace as other groups from other countries. The author believes that one of the main reasons for this lack of American assimilation is due to the fact that there is a significant amount of immigrants from Mexico who are moving to places that already have a large Mexican population. This leads to a lack of assimilation because, as the author points out, if people immigrate to America but do not live with the population they will not be exposed to the American values and culture which will lead to them not assimilating as fast. This is particularly important in regards to the Mexican population because there are a significant number of immigrants coming to the country which means there are more areas, or as the author puts it enclaves, in which Mexican immigrants live. This leads to a less immersive experience in American culture and can explain the slower assimilation that the author has pointed out. I believe there is value in assimilating to American culture in that it is beneficial for immigrants to become accustomed to American culture to simply have more opportunities available to them. Assimilation is not necessary nor should it ever be forced upon any immigrant population but it is clear that assimilation simply helps immigrants gain more opportunities in America as they have more information about our society after assimilating. I personally think that assimilation is helpful but not necessary and the idea that that all of the problems surrounding the issue with immigration and the struggles that immigrants face when they arrive in America would be solved by assimilation is not accurate. Is assimilation the root of the current issues immigrants face when arriving in America? How would assimilation be encouraged or mandated without infringing on the freedoms of those in America?

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Catch-All/Student Discussion Questions

All the Pretty Horses

In this section of All the Pretty Horses we start to see the first instances of intense and serious conflict. After Blevins decides to hide from the impending storm due to a strong superstition he holds about lightning he ends up losing his horse. When John Grady and Rawlin find him they continue south but as they enter the village they discover Belvins horse which has already been claimed by someone else. After this discovery there is a little bit of internal conflict as they discuss attempting to take back Blevins horse. In the end they decide to attempt to take back the horse which results in everyone waking up and chasing the three boys away. Blevin is separated from Grady and Rawlin during this chase. This set of events shows us one of the first real intense moments of conflict and helps to exemplify some of the values that the frontier typically consists of. The journey the boys have had down to Mexico so far has been relatively peaceful. This attempt at getting back stolen property and running into trouble represents some of the dangers of the frontier. Grady and Rawlin both end up leaving Blevin in order to escape their pursuers. This encounter with conflict helps to solidify the value of individualism into the narrative being that even though Blevin is somewhat of a friend to the others at this point, they still end up leaving him after they are separated during the chase. The values of the typical frontier and the strong sense of individualism are both enforced through this specific conflict.