Assimilation By Eugene Gloria Essay

Every day thousands of people are leaving behind their home countries to move away for one reason or another. With each individual that enters into a new country, there are different challenges, new experiences, and new opportunities for them. Leaving behind everything a person knows can be very daunting and sometimes very difficult to assimilate to the new society. From young children into adulthood, everyone has had a desire to feel like they belong somewhere. The efforts to fit into a certain group, the relationships people make, and the challenges they face shape them into the person they become. For some people, this development is not based on one region, cultural experience, or language. In Eugene Gloria’s poem “Assimilation” a young …show more content…
For the young boy in the story, this was very true because he needed his mother’s love and understanding to help him feel better about being the new kid in school. Sometimes it can be hard for children to tell their mom they are unhappy or feel outcasted in school. But sometimes, the child does not have to say anything at all. The mother of the young boy from the poem realizes something is wrong so, the next day she packs a lunch similar to the lunches of the other children. The young boy is so happy to have a sandwich, chips, and fruit for lunch; therefore, he does not feel like he is so different anymore. Eating the same kind of lunch helps the little boy feel confident. Food is a very big part of any culture and society. All around the world, people are learning what foods are normal for them to eat and what foods are not. It can be hard to leave a very rich culture, such as what the young boy had in the Philippines, to a very different culture like San Francisco. Despite a big difference in meals, many immigrants learn to try and like the foods of their new society many times because of the pressure to assimilate. Having a family member move with you can be such a gift because there will always be at least one person who understands you and can relate to the same challenges and …show more content…
Unfortunately, not every immigrant choses to leave their home land and that can make the transition and adjustment emotionally, spiritually, and mentally difficult. Some people jump into trying new things, while other people prefer to stand and watch for a while. But when someone lives in a new society, possibly very different from anything they know, it can feel like they are an outcast. Having a friend or family member who can provide support and possibly understanding can make this transition much easier. Not every immigrant has to assimilate to their new society, but many immigrants do. Unfortunately, social pressure is likely a big cause to immigrants learning to assimilate into their new society. Although it is sometimes beneficial for immigrants to adjust quickly to their new environment, it is important to respect their past society, culture, beliefs, and values. Everyone wants to belong