Racism, or is it?

I am proud of the way I have changed as a person in the last few years. Not that I wasn't already a pretty great gal (wink, wink), but we can always grow for the better. I grew up in a very "racist" family, my parents were raised in the South, in a period that is not the best representation of America. So, the area that I have grown in considerably and been the most proud of is realizing that most of us are the same person inside regardless of our skin color/race. Well, with that said, I realize that I still might have a little way to go!

We had a show in a city that is very racially diverse...nothing wrong with that, a lot of Asian, Philippine, African, and East Indian people who have immigrated from their respective countries for a chance at a better life. It's a great thing that they are able to make a new life in a new country, and admirable that they would leave their homeland to start over in a country of strangers. However, there is something I don't get about that. If you are leaving a country in search of a better life, fleeing from oppression and poverty wouldnt you want to assimilate yourself to the ways of the country you were immigrating to? Wouldn't you want to leave the "old" ways behind? I can understand holding onto some traditions and customs, within reason, but at the same time, adopting and adapting to the country you are now calling "home."

Which brings me to a sticky point! If you're moving to an English speaking country, shouldn't you make an effort to speak/learn English, at least in public situations? Especially if you are the second or third generation born into the "new" country? We don't live in a third world mentality, either....bartering and deal making aren't a way of life in civilized nations. Obviously, I dealt with these two things a LOT these last several days, and it really, really got the best of me!