“The “Melting Pot” is a myth.
Even back in the early parts of the 20th century, millions of Italians and Irish and others came here. Only a small percentage mixed. They mostly stayed among their own.”
Your comment above is not at all what I experienced growing up in the North Bronx in the 40s through 60s. It was an area populated with immigrants, children of immigrants and grandchildren of immigrants from Italy, Ireland and Germany, for the most part.
Our parents and grandparents stressed upon us that we were Americans, not Italians, Irish or Germans. We were not taught the native language of our ancestors. We mixed with everyone, and were taught the importance of studying and hard work so that we could realize the American dream and better our living standards.
No one cared if our parents or grandparents could not read English as there were no signs in retail stores and on voting ballots in any foreign language. Those who decided not to learn English were looked down upon.
There is little commonality between the European immigrants of the 19th and 20th centuries and the immigrants of the past 40 years. Melting pot has been replaced by Diversity, and the philosophy of Diversity has been a disaster for America.
I second your experiences, the difference being only in generation. Leftist loons play divide and conquer and they may yet get to see the real balkanization of this country.