Assignment #1-Group C, Reflection #2: Americanization within the Public School System

Being an American citizen, whose parents and grandparents were also born here in the United States, I feel that I have grown up practicing stereotypical American traditions and learning the American culture. Since I was born into the American culture I have never given much thought to how or when I learned “how to be an American”. I attended public school from kindergarten through High School. Through out my education, I knew that I was learning about American history and its traditions but I never stopped to think about how American culture and traditions were the only ideas being taught. Jeannie Oakes and Martin Lipton address the issue of “Americanization” in their book Teaching to Change the World.

Oakes and Lipton address the fact that “Americanization” began when immigration heavily increased. Politicians pressured teachers to “Americanize” the new student immigrants. Oakes and Lipton explain, “These new immigrants were not only coming in unprecedented numbers but they were coming from southern and eastern Europe which made them seem much more “foreign” than earlier waves of northern European immigrants. In response schools were asked to go beyond teaching the rudiments of citizenship and patriotism and ensure that these young people learned the habits, values, and language of the predominantly Anglo-Saxon Protestants who considered themselves trustees of American culture”(Oakes & Lipton, 2007). Oakes and Lipton go on to explain that while “Americanization” introduced the immigrant children to American ways and beliefs it also eliminated the children’s different home cultures (Oakes and Lipton, 2007). I believe that while living in America, it is important to understand American culture, however, I also believe in the value of a person’s individual culture because it is part of their identity.

Oakes and Lipton also address the fact that one of the key components to “Americanization” required the immigrants to give up their native language which is often considered the heart of one’s culture. Oakes and Lipton state that after the World War II Red Scare Period, “an ideological link was established between speaking ‘good English’ and being a ‘good American’. Across the nation most bilingual education was ended in the 1920s” (Oakes & Lipton, 2007). The topic of single language or bilingual education is controversial. I personally believe that while living in America, an English speaking country, everyone, citizens and immigrants, should learn the language. However, I also believe it is important to speak more than one language. While it is important for schools to teach students English, it is also important that classes are provided for students to learn other languages, or continue speaking their own native language.

Reading this, I began to think more about the public school education that I received. As Oakes and Lipton discuss, bilingual education has returned to the school system however, “educators point out that like so many reforms, bilingual education is necessary, but by itself, it is not sufficient to deliver a good education to non-English speakers” (Oakes & Lipton, 2007). I agree with the educators who believe this, however, I also believe that while students are taking the time and making the effort to learn English, they should have the opportunity to bring bits of their home life into the classroom and introduce other students to their own culture.

Works Cited:
Oakes, J., & Lipton, M. (2007). Teaching to Change the World (3rd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.