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I agree with Matt Thiede that fervent nationalism is an emotion demonstrated by people who find themselves able to support fascism. It’s irrelevant and irresponsible, though, for him to draw such radical comparisons to my argument. Should I then respond in kind that perhaps his quest of egalitarianism is motivated by desires to create an environment conducive for euthanasia of the West? No.

The concept of having a commitment to community is not monolithic. Being of a liberal background, I warn the reader against an observed temptation for multiculturalists to see themselves as intellectually or culturally elitist. As stated in my initial letter, all too often those of the “enlightened” left can be their own worst enemy.

To contextualize the process of assimilation as an injustice, or to separate it from the historical integration mechanisms of the United States, is a rhetorical sleight of hand. These two concepts are not mutually exclusive. Assimilation has been, and continues to be, the most important component to an immigrant’s successful transition into American society. This does not mean that blind adaptation should overwhelm cultural autonomy; instead certain levels of assimilation are a natural byproduct of successful integration and evidence that there is a sort of “melting” taking place.

I argue that the emergence of a significant Spanish-speaking minority demonstrates failure of our integration “policies,” because it is evidence that the workings of this natural balance have been disabled. Second-generation Mexican-American youth may very well speak English along side Spanish, and I hope they also learn German, Chinese, and pull especially for Gaelic. Bilingualism isn’t the issue. There are two potent factors at play here: a fundamental overwhelming of our social integration structures, and a failure to acknowledge the effect that rapid and uncontrolled growth of this nature will have. To echo my first letter, bilingualism in this case is not a rational decision, or a phenomenon that is fundamentally perpetuated by our “unveiling of diverse realities in which we already live.” It is uncontrolled; symptomatic of greater concerns to come. Difference in language is easy to discern. We must also consider that seeds are being sewn for other, less overt but equally powerful, divisions.

We are a land of immigrants, forced and voluntary, and so the concept of a single “American culture” is inherently moot. There are however some fundamental components of the American creed that we should not be afraid to assert. The shortcomings of many multicultural movements again aren’t tied exclusively to this issue of language. It is the active ignorance of pending culture clashes, and the demonizing of those who recognize a duty and work to address them.

To further illustrate my point I pose this question: what if, perhaps, the greatest disparity brought by Latino immigrants wasn’t racial or linguistic, but instead religious? The Committed member to the Community’s answer is none at all, because we would be too busy celebrating our new-found enrichment. The reality would be much more grim. For no matter how we wish community cohesion upon ourselves, to ignore the reality of a difference that significant would be catastrophic.

If pluralism is used in such a manner to equalize any and all differences, voiding a sense of national center, we will see our strength and vitality as a collective greatly diminished. Cultural enrichment will be undercut as communities are divided and conflict. Is this not counterproductive?

Tim McDonald ’07

'Paint the Pavement' part of Hamline history

Thanks to Melissa Hruza for the article (Oct. 17) on the “Paint the Pavement” project in the Hamline Midway neighborhood. An additional note is that the project’s instigators are or have been Fellows in the LISN (Leadership in Support of Neighborhood) program, which is a collaboration of Hamline University and Hamline Midway Coalition. As part of their Fellowship year, neighbors selected for the program receive a stipend and staff support to engage in both leadership learning activities and neighborhood projects. “Paint the Pavement”began here as one of those projects. Hamline University, through the Wesley Center, along with the Coalition, has played a key role in developing this unique program aimed at supporting the development of a diverse group of leaders who will be a powerful force for strengthening the neighborhood and organizations in the neighborhood around Hamline for years to come. The “Pavement” place-making project is just one of many initiatives to emerge as a byproduct of the first year of the program. Watch for what may come from the second class of LISN Fellows as they plot their projects for this current year.

Tom Duke
Director LISN Program