Sophia Ho
Shannon Welch (B09)
The Social Ladder
Targets of anti-semitic violence and oppression, Jewish men and women looked to America for a lifestyle away from the fear of persecution and hope for a brighter future. In America, Jewish immigrants settled in the lower eastside of New York and worked to establish a community in which they could call “home.” They formed networks for Jews to meet new people and often found conversations in public bathhouse and candy stores. Many immigrants had skillfully mastered the trade of sewing which enabled them to revolutionize the garment industry. About one third of the garment industry’s workforce were single young women sent by their families to utilize their sewing skills. However, in factories, skilled …show more content…
However, these benefits were extended only to the sons of the household. This posed a contradiction because families assimilated into the American culture to enjoy America’s bounties. Sisters were forced to make sacrifices while their brothers received an education. America’s countless opportunities were not extended to daughters, which is contradictory because the sole purpose of assimilating was to reap equal benefits as Americans. Within each household was a contradiction because daughters were forced to slave away countless hours in factories while sons attended school. In a country where Jewish families were fighting for better benefits, daughters were restricted in their number of …show more content…
Jewish attempts to protest against labor exploitation, unfair wages and hazardous working conditions created a sense of belonging in America for Jewish immigrants. They had made a claim in their country and demanded equality that would enable them to enjoy the benefits of living in America. This led to the assimilation and modernization of Jewish immigrants. They conformed to American traditions and destroyed their previous cultural beliefs. Despite their efforts, they were unsuccessful in transforming into the white race because they were still viewed as having “dwarf structure, peculiar mentality, and ruthless concentration on self interest” (Takaki 288). Americans viewed Jewish attempts to move up the hierarchy and transform themselves into Americans as a threat. Jewish success in schools and in the workforce fueled anti-semitism which prohibited them from assimilating and becoming Americans. Laws and restrictions were placed upon them in order to prevent them integrating into American society. African Americans; however, when faced with white resistance and brutality, promoted black solidarity and nationalism. They were encouraged to create their own communities and enterprises. Rather than assimilating into another race, African Americans embraced their identity and promoted black nationalism. They focused on creating a sense of unity in their community and
Shannon Welch (B09)
The Social Ladder
Targets of anti-semitic violence and oppression, Jewish men and women looked to America for a lifestyle away from the fear of persecution and hope for a brighter future. In America, Jewish immigrants settled in the lower eastside of New York and worked to establish a community in which they could call “home.” They formed networks for Jews to meet new people and often found conversations in public bathhouse and candy stores. Many immigrants had skillfully mastered the trade of sewing which enabled them to revolutionize the garment industry. About one third of the garment industry’s workforce were single young women sent by their families to utilize their sewing skills. However, in factories, skilled …show more content…
However, these benefits were extended only to the sons of the household. This posed a contradiction because families assimilated into the American culture to enjoy America’s bounties. Sisters were forced to make sacrifices while their brothers received an education. America’s countless opportunities were not extended to daughters, which is contradictory because the sole purpose of assimilating was to reap equal benefits as Americans. Within each household was a contradiction because daughters were forced to slave away countless hours in factories while sons attended school. In a country where Jewish families were fighting for better benefits, daughters were restricted in their number of …show more content…
Jewish attempts to protest against labor exploitation, unfair wages and hazardous working conditions created a sense of belonging in America for Jewish immigrants. They had made a claim in their country and demanded equality that would enable them to enjoy the benefits of living in America. This led to the assimilation and modernization of Jewish immigrants. They conformed to American traditions and destroyed their previous cultural beliefs. Despite their efforts, they were unsuccessful in transforming into the white race because they were still viewed as having “dwarf structure, peculiar mentality, and ruthless concentration on self interest” (Takaki 288). Americans viewed Jewish attempts to move up the hierarchy and transform themselves into Americans as a threat. Jewish success in schools and in the workforce fueled anti-semitism which prohibited them from assimilating and becoming Americans. Laws and restrictions were placed upon them in order to prevent them integrating into American society. African Americans; however, when faced with white resistance and brutality, promoted black solidarity and nationalism. They were encouraged to create their own communities and enterprises. Rather than assimilating into another race, African Americans embraced their identity and promoted black nationalism. They focused on creating a sense of unity in their community and