Amh 2091 - Immigration and America

Taylor Young

Prof. Cohen

AMH 2091

30 September 2015

Immigration and America

Immigrant, a person who comes to live permantely in a foreign country.   In 1492, Christopher Columbus found the new world, thus many explorers following in his steps to the new land.  Later on, in 1776, the Americans defeated the British during the American Revolutionary War gaining them independence to the United States of America.  The U.S only went up from there, and now we are one the world’s greatest countries.  This wouldn’t be possible without Columbus migrating over to the new land, thus making him an immigrant.  So how does immigration contribute to a better America?  Well, without immigration, there would be no America.

      “We become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic.  Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams.” Jimmy Carter said.  Our country is founded off of a plethora of cultures and leaders who brought their strategies into our shape of the U.S today.  Immigration is our foundation, it’s who we are no matter what race or color, we are America, and America is immigration.  First England and the British came first thus forming our foundation, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Bill of Rights.  All these rules and commandments that came from these leaders originated from where they came from, meaning they brought their traditions over to America.  

    Although Africans came by force, they have contributed a tremendous amount of cultures to our country.  The inventions, the music, and our leaders all gave the U.S that spice that we have now.  African Americans have contributed a great deal of their culture to our country that helped developed into the superpower it is now.  Madam C.J Walker invented hair-growing lotion, Fredrick Jones invented the refrigerator, and Wallace “Wally’ Amos invented the “Famous Amos” cookies, just to name a few.  All these great inventors did or has a connection to Africa, thus making them immigrants.  Let’s not forget about The Harlem Renaissance, the cultural explosion that occurred in Harlem, New York.  The African Americans took matters into their own hands and decided to change the game.  

      And they did, black poets, black artists, and music.  Without African Americans there wouldn’t have been the Harlem Renaissance, and although the renaissance was born in America, it’s comprised of immigrants.  After the renaissance, Africans continued to contribute to our country. The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, Diana Ross, and Patti LaBelle; are legends and award winning artists for bringing their talents to the ears of our citizens.  Biggie Smalls, Tupac, N.W.A, KRS One, and Kurtis Blow just to name a few; all brought hip hop to the popularity it is today.  These rappers rapped about real issues in America that blacks face each and every day.  And with the pathway paved, many musicians have been inspired and hip hop and r&b has been booming with African American artists including; Chris Brown, Chief Keef, Kodak Black, Lil Woop, Beyoncé, Drake, and Future.  

     To accommodate to the music of hip hop, African Americans have also invented many dances that America loves to learn.  The dancing style krumping that was invented by “Tight Eyes”, the many Miami, Florida dances invented by various rappers, and just the get hype songs that you can go crazy too.

     As our country grew and melted with immigrants, African Americans weren’t the only ones who contributed a great deal of cultures. The Hispanics have and still making their mark on America’s soil.  First off, the food; tacos, burritos, hot sauce, empanadas, and many more dishes. America has adopted these ideas of food and made it their own, such as Taco Bell and Taco Tuesday at Rocco’s Tacos.  These restaurants have stolen the hearts of many citizens and have made them believe that they are Mexican from eating so much of their food.  Even if you weren’t in the mood for going out to eat, they’re of plenty of taco making kits in grocery stores that allow you to get the feel of Mexican culture.  Not only has American adapted to their food but also their music, Spanish music is another mainstream genre that many Americans enjoy.  Artists such as Selena, Pitbull, Jennifer Lopez, and Shakira have brought their heritage to our country and also have built up a strong fan base for their bilingual music.  It doesn’t stop there, Hispanics have also taken over the movies as well.  With the infamous movie Selena’, many Americans felt sympathy for the beloved singer during her journey to fame.  The Hispanic culture is truly on the rise in our country and the culture has impacted us citizens extremely.