Immigration and the American Dream What is the American dream? The definition of the American dream that has held true for hundreds of years, is the belief that anyone, regardless of where they were born, should have equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative (“American”). In Lecrae’s song, “Welcome to America,” a major focus of his piece is the subject of perspective. Everyone sees America differently based on what it has offered them, and Lecrae breaks it down into 3 different individuals’ perspectives; with my main source of focus being on the individuals’ view who is residing outside of the United States (and what they are seeing looking in). In saying this, why is it that so many
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America offered not only political tolerance, but it also provided many a safe haven from religious persecution. In the words of historian Will Durant, “For men came across the sea not merely to find new soil for their plows but to win freedom for their souls, to think and speak and worship as they would” (“Destination”). The number of Muslim immigrants has steadily been on the rise; going from roughly 50,000 (a year) in 1992 to 100,000 (a year) in 2012. America has witnessed such an increase due to the religious restrictions the Middle East has placed on allowing its people to openly practice their faith. The government, as well as individuals in the various groups in Middle Eastern society have made practicing the Muslim faith a challenge for its people. Similarly, between 1880 and 1920 over 2 million Jews (from Eastern Europe) fleeing religious persecution entered the United States (“US”). Then we see again (during World War II) the Jews being persecuted by the Nazi regime. This time however; the Germans viewed themselves as being racially superior, and murdered millions of the Jewish people. At this point in time the US immigration quotas had been in place for a number of years, (limiting the number of immigrants let into the United States), and now on top of that even stricter immigration policies were in place due to fear that refugees could be blackmailed into working as agents for Nazi Germany (“Destination”). By 1952, 137,450 Jewish refugees had settled in the United States (“US”). These events marking a time in history where the US shied away from allowing immigrants into our homeland. Despite this, America grew, and continued to grow from its past, becoming a place where many saw hope for a new
America offered not only political tolerance, but it also provided many a safe haven from religious persecution. In the words of historian Will Durant, “For men came across the sea not merely to find new soil for their plows but to win freedom for their souls, to think and speak and worship as they would” (“Destination”). The number of Muslim immigrants has steadily been on the rise; going from roughly 50,000 (a year) in 1992 to 100,000 (a year) in 2012. America has witnessed such an increase due to the religious restrictions the Middle East has placed on allowing its people to openly practice their faith. The government, as well as individuals in the various groups in Middle Eastern society have made practicing the Muslim faith a challenge for its people. Similarly, between 1880 and 1920 over 2 million Jews (from Eastern Europe) fleeing religious persecution entered the United States (“US”). Then we see again (during World War II) the Jews being persecuted by the Nazi regime. This time however; the Germans viewed themselves as being racially superior, and murdered millions of the Jewish people. At this point in time the US immigration quotas had been in place for a number of years, (limiting the number of immigrants let into the United States), and now on top of that even stricter immigration policies were in place due to fear that refugees could be blackmailed into working as agents for Nazi Germany (“Destination”). By 1952, 137,450 Jewish refugees had settled in the United States (“US”). These events marking a time in history where the US shied away from allowing immigrants into our homeland. Despite this, America grew, and continued to grow from its past, becoming a place where many saw hope for a new