'The New Americans'

'The New Americans'
A reassuring look at immigration and assimilation

August 23, 2001

Immigration is all about "them and us." On an immediate level the question is whether immigrants are a boon or a burden for American society. In the long run, the more profound concern is whether, when and how they become Americans.

Michael Barone examines that question in his book, "The New Americans: How the Melting Pot Can Work Again." It is an insightful and surprising analysis that should be included in any discussion of immigration.

Barone is a respected political historian and commentator. He is a senior writer at U.S. News and World Report and coauthor of the biannual Almanac of American Politics.

The essential point of "The New Americans" is that, as he says, "We’ve been here before." Barone says there is nothing fundamentally different between what is happening now and the process that transformed the immigrants of 100 years ago into the Americans of today.

To illustrate this, Barone compares three immigrant groups of a century ago with three contemporary examples. It is a novel idea, with a powerful message.

First he pairs the black migration from the South to northern industrial cities with the trans-Atlantic immigration of the Irish. Both groups had been politically and economically oppressed. Both found expression through their churches, and power in politics.

Jews and Asians have religious traditions based on scripture, a grounding in strong families and experience with oppressive, dangerous governments. Above all, they value education.

Most interesting, however, is what Barone describes as the "almost uncanny resemblance" between the Italian influx of 1890 to 1924 and present-day Latino immigration. Both, he says, "came from an old country whose government and culture were characterized by ineffective centralism and in which trust in institutions was extraordinarily, and justifiably, low." Both put their faith in hard work and family.

As intriguing as they are, Barone’s pairings have their flaws. The chapter on blacks, for example, makes short shrift of centuries of slavery.

Still his point is well made. A century ago Irish, Jewish and Italian immigrants were thought to represent alien races. Their descendants are now solidly ensconced in the American mainstream.

Barone does not address all arguments against immigration. In particular, he says nothing to the idea that immigration is driving U.S. population growth.

But to those who fear that America faces a new and frightening threat, or that our national identity is at risk, Barone offers a fascinating and reassuring read.