In the last few days I’ve read a number of very nasty things about America and Americans written by second generation Americans. If there is any proof of my contention that immigration in 2018 is considerably different from immigration in 1918, that would have to be it.
One of the things that distinguishes the Ellis Island (1892-1954) immigrants from more recent arrivals is that the children of the Ellis Island immigrants generally learned English as their first language, many not learning their parents’ language at all, and were, if anything, 110% Americans. Have you ever wondered about those super-patriotic movies made from the late silent era right up to the 1950s? Those were mostly made by first and second generation immigrants.
Criticism of America and Americans is a characteristically American practice. My experience has been that’s something that baffles Brits, the French, Germans, etc. Being that self-critical just isn’t part of their makeup. It doesn’t bother me. As long as it’s done with love.
Hating America and Americans is something else again.
Up until post WWII immigrants from the old world, both east and west, were severing all ties with their homes, their relatives and people they knew. The odds of ever seeing those people and places ever again were slim to none. Kinda changes your outlook.