'None of my children have cried of hunger here'

The Tennessean ^ | 12/26/2003 | ANITA WADHWANI

[cdefreese]

Members of the Bantu tribe in Somalia find their transition to America more difficult than that of many immigrants because they've never had electricity, running water or TVs.

Suleiman Ader's journey began on the farm where he was born when he, as a young man, was struck in the face by men who then forced him to watch the rape of his sister.

It was during the civil war in Somalia. To escape, Ader, his wife and child walked for days to reach the Kenyan refugee camps where two more children were born and another conceived.

Last month, the family became among the first of his tribe — called the Somali Bantu — to arrive in Nashville.

The Bantu are among the least acclimated to modern life of any immigrants to the United States, and by the end of next year Nashville will be home to 400, according to the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement.

Before the civil war in the 1990s, most Bantu, as did Ader, eked out an existence as farmers living in huts without running water, electricity, flush toilets or televisions. Few ever attended school. The Aders are among many who have arrived malnourished.

Ader's wife, Fatuma Abdi, has had to learn how to use a stove instead of firewood and a dishwasher for plates, frying pans and forks the family never owned before. Her children have overcome their suspicions of packaged pretzels. Abdi, 24, who keeps her father's name in Bantu tradition, says she felt like crying with joy when she first understood disposable diapers never had to be washed.

Outranking all of those modern novelties, however, is this one:

''None of my children have cried of hunger here,'' said Ader, 36, through a translator as he watched his boisterous 2-year-old son wrestle an older brother to the carpeted floor of their two-bedroom apartment near Murfreesboro Pike.

By 2005, the United States plans to resettle about 12,000 Bantu across the country, according to the U.S. State Department.

The Bantu are vastly different from most other refugees who have landed in Nashville in recent years, and refugee agencies have had to take a new approach, said Jennifer Schamel, resettlement director for World Relief.

World Relief, along with Catholic Charities, is charged with assisting all new Bantu arrivals to Nashville.

''With the Bantu, we never take anything for granted,'' she said. ''There's so much they're not familiar with. Any small thing could become a big thing.''

Usually, Schamel said, World Relief staff members greet refugees at the airport and take them to their own apartment, where they are given a brief orientation.

With the Bantu, however, the staff quickly realized that wouldn't work.

''Our very first family had a lot of difficulty,'' Schamel said. ''We showed the woman what we normally do as far as showing the hot and cold water.'' And then she left the woman alone.

Schamel ran back into the bathroom when she heard the woman's 1-year-old baby scream after being plunged into too-hot bath water.

''For the Bantus, there is regular water, and there is hot water boiled on the fire,'' Schamel said. ''She just didn't know that water could come out of the tap so hot.''

There have been other missteps: one Bantu woman poured dish soap over the surface of her stove, including the burners, in an effort to follow cleaning instructions. Another man rolled deodorant on from wrist to shoulder; two young children spit out their first taste of vanilla ice cream, shocked at the cold in their mouths.

Now, instead of leaving families alone in their first days, World Relief takes them to a brick house at Dalewood United Methodist Church in east Nashville where they live with a Somali ''house parent'' for a few days.

Ahmed Jama, who is Somali but not Bantu, teaches families how to use the stove, the thermostat and the knob to turn on the shower. Jama has tacked up labels all over the house that say ''curtains'' and ''picture'' to introduce the arrivals to written English.

Beyond the gadgets, Jama says there is one question all of the refugees ask: ''They want to know about racial discrimination'' on the part of Americans and Somalis in Nashville.

The Bantu have suffered a long history of discrimination, according to the United Nations High Commission on Refugees. They are a minority brought to Somalia in the 19th century as slaves and have since been denied education and job opportunities by the Somali majority.

They speak a different dialect and are ethnically distinct from an estimated 3,000 other Somali who have arrived in Nashville over the past decade.

''The tribe issue is sometimes a big issue to the new arrivals, but we visit them and talk to them and tell them this is a different world and what tribe you are in doesn't matter,'' said Abdirizak Hassan, director of the Somali Community Center.

A south Nashville Somali mosque has raised money and gathered clothing for the new arrivals.

It's more difficult, however, to learn how Bantu refugees such as Ader feel about being expatriates with other Somalis because the only translators available are non-Bantu.

Ader said through his Somali interpreter that he isn't interested in racial or ethnic divisions. His priority is first to get a job and then learn English. World Relief has already helped him get driving lessons. The roads, he says, are extremely confusing.

He's not sure what kind of work his life has prepared him for. For the past several years, his job has consisted of waiting in long lines in a Kenyan refugee camp for basic food supplies and seeing his family through periods of ''donor fatigue'' when rations were so low they went hungry for days.

At an orientation at the Kakuma refugee camp, Ader remembers only this lesson: ''You cannot hit your children, and when you go, you have to smell good and be happy.''

Before then he farmed mango, tobacco and sesame oil crops.

World Relief helps refugees get jobs. Many of the Somalis who have arrived earlier work now in manual labor jobs at Dell Computer Corp. in Nashville, the Tyson Fresh Meats factory in Goodlettsville, Walden Books distribution center in La Vergne, Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville and in area hotels as janitors and maids, Schamel said.

Jama, the house parent, says the early months are difficult for refugees such as Ader.

''They have expectations,'' he said. ''They want to work. But it takes time, and many get frustrated and bored. And there is no job training for us.''

But Ader has just been here a month. He anticipates learning English and getting a job before his next child is born in May. This one will be Bantu-American. The child can be president, Ader said.

Ader will take any job. He's willing to work hard.

His children will go to Glencliff Elementary School just down the street and get an education.

Right now his wife is in the kitchen frying potatoes and brewing tea with cardamom. His daughter is eating a sugar cookie, and the cupboards are full. So there is much more reason to hope than ever before, Ader says.

[!1776!]

But Ader has just been here a month. He anticipates learning English and getting a job before his next child is born in May. This one will be Bantu-American. The child can be president, Ader said.

A pure expression of new found freedom.

If only more of our long term citizens could once again feel the depth of opportunity and freedom that the United States of America has to offer.

[arasina]

Inspiring story. God bless them.

[visualops]

she felt like crying with joy when she first understood disposable diapers never had to be washed.

That is priceless.

Alot of people cannot even conceive of the hardship these people lived under. I'm not just talking about modern conveniences, but not being able to just work and live and raise your children and simply carry on ones life.
It's nice to see these people want to work and learn English. I work with a Mexican who's been here for over a decade and still hardly speaks any English.

[GaConfed]

Ader will take any job. He's willing to work hard.

Is there any job Ader can do? I doubt it. Is there a chance in hell that he can work well? Nope. Bringing people like this into this country does nither them nor the average American any good whatsoever. These Bantus are just another imported blunt instrament for the politcal, finanacial, and cultural elites to use in their endeavor of destroying this country as we know it.

[SouthernFreebird]

Oh please...he's a man willing to work. I'm sure there is something for him to do. This is the kind of immagrants I welcome, those who wish to become Americans, to work hard make a better life for their children, who actually will bother to learn the language unlike those who sneak over here to live on welfare and won't even bother to learn to ask for food stamps and medicaid in english!

[McGavin999]

This is the difference between legal and illegal immigrants. These people want to learn english and fit it. God bless them and they are welcome in America.

[radiohead]

Is there any job Ader can do? I doubt it. Is there a chance in hell that he can work well?

Will he be a doctor or engineer? Probably not, but I bet he can clean paper plates off of the tables in a mall food court, learn how to clean bathrooms, or clean hotel rooms. I'm not knocking these jobs, simply pointing out that there are a number of low skill jobs that many people take when they need to start out or start over.

[VOA]

. They are a minority brought to Somalia in the 19th century as slaves and
have since been denied education and job opportunities by the Somali majority.

I don't know who "brought" the Bantus to Somalia or the nature of "the Somali majority".

But I wouldn't be shocked if both are: "Muslims".

Especially because the article doesn't comment.

[GaConfed]

Let's see what his attitude is after a year or two here. 10-1 he never gets off welfare. Not saying they are bad folks, because they aren't, but they have entirely too many historical periods to jump when they come here from where they were. They will be totally alienated in no time, and there will be a huge outcry from the usual suspects for our culture to show deference to theirs. Bank on it.

[VOA]

Will he be a doctor or engineer? Probably not, but I bet he can clean paper plates off
of the tables in a mall food court, learn how to clean bathrooms, or clean hotel rooms.

radiohead,
I know you're coming from the right place.
But I think the "president" comment is born simply of amazement that they've
"won the lottery"...they've landed in a prosperous land where their child
is not automatically prohibited from becoming President, no matter how
astronomical the odds.

I don't know if you saw it, but NBC and CBS news both ran some episodes on
some of "The Lost Boys" who've come to America from refugee camps
(most all Christians who's families were wiped out during warfare when they
were boys).

One of the channels even did a follow-up. They are struggling, but many
already had jobs, one as a minister at a church. Another was working two
jobs in order to afford more education -- as rough a diamond as he was, you could
just say "that guy is gonna' make it!".

Pardon my "Frank Capra -- Love Letter to America", but the stories about The Lost
Boys were right up there with "It's A Wonderful Life".

[jude24]

Is there any job Ader can do? I doubt it. Is there a chance in hell that he can work well? Nope. Bringing people like this into this country does nither them nor the average American any good whatsoever. These Bantus are just another imported blunt instrament for the politcal, finanacial, and cultural elites to use in their endeavor of destroying this country as we know it.

There are all kinds of jobs out there for people who don't know English. If he's willing to work hard, he's got a leg up on a lot of Americans I know. Add into the mix a guy who realizes the amazing opportunities America holds -- that because of the greatness of this country, his kids will almost certainly not starve, for starters -- and he has the makings of a great American.

My great-grandfather came to America not knowing a word of English. His family did pretty well....

"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free" doesn't apply to Europeans.

[sarasmom]

This is the kind of immigrant I was taught to respect as a child.
A person who might make mistakes, but who was new to our country, and meant no intentional offense.
An adult, who did not know how to act correctly, but who was special because they came here from a foreign country to join our society, and because they wanted to be one of us so badly, that they were willing to start all over agin, as if they were children.
As a child, it was a special treat, if you could help such an immigrant, and respectfully help him/her on their way.
Give me 1000 legal Bantu refugees over one single illegal alien.
Chances are, the adults will always make minor blunders, but their children will not, because they were born here, or came here young enough to learn the same lessons we who were born here of citizens did as children.
There is a huge difference between legal and illegal immigrants.It begins with their first step on our land.
Do they join the corrupt criminal underclass as self-sentenced illegal slaves, or do they become full citizens, as is their right IAW our laws?
We have room for many new immigrants.
We have no place for those who make their first act on our soil a criminal offense by illegally crossing into our country and intentionally breaking our immigration laws.

[GaConfed]

My great-grandfather came to America not knowing a word of English. His family did pretty well....

I bet your father didn't come from a culture set in the hunter-gatherer era either.

[Old Student]

"It's nice to see these people want to work and learn English. I work with a Mexican who's been here for over a decade and still hardly speaks any English."

I've been working on learning Spanish since I was 10. I can ask for a beer, which is a waste of effort, since I don't drink beer. I can say hello and goodbye. I cannot actually carry on a conversation.

I grew up in Southern California, mostly in Santa Fe Springs, in an area where my brother and I were the only Anglos on the block. It is difficult for older people to learn a new language. The best window of opportunity to begin a language is under age 3.

Some people (maybe even many) can do a lot better than I've done, even starting later, but I've been a stranger in a foreign land 4 times now, so I have some sympathy for those who don't learn languages easily.

[Old Student]

"I don't know who "brought" the Bantus to Somalia or the nature of "the Somali majority".

But I wouldn't be shocked if both are: 'Muslims'."


I wouldn't be surprised to find out that they are some sort of animist, either, as many Bantu are. This is America. They can belong to any religion they want. Even Islam. If we want to keep our Buddhist and Christian and Jewish and Hindu and Muslim and Rastafarian and whatever religious practices and symbols, we should welcome anyone else who seems capable of understanding that ALL people of faith should support one another, despite differences in doctrine and disagreement over the true name of God. These folks seem to be capable of that kind of reach. As far as I'm concerned, they're welcome here. It's only been a little over a hundred years ago that some of my relatives arrived here, after all.

[small_l_libertarian]

I want to thank you for posting this story. With the terror alert warnings and the proposed blanket amnesty, I have been grousing about immigrants for days.

This story reminded me that most immigrants are good, and are here for the best of reasons. I am proud and happy to have these folks join us here in America. I wish them success and prosperity.

Thanks again. You really made me feel better.

[VOA]

Maybe I was not clear.
"both" referred to those who enslaved the Bantus
and to the Somali majority that has persecuted them.

Please also see post 11.

And I've got no beef with just about any religion.
But I like to keep my distance from folks like OBL and his fellow travelers who
obediently follow the direct commands of the Koran and Hadith.

[Yaelle]

On immigrants wanting to learn English -- Yes, can you imagine? When my grandparents, in their 40s, immigrated here due to the Nazis, they would play Scrabble a few times a week with other immigrant couples, dictionary by the table, to improve their They never lost their thick accents, but they became very fluent in both spoken and written English.

[Old Student]

VERY much clearer, this time, thanks! You are probably quite right, actually, even the way I first understood it. The Arabs and many of the peoples they dealt with for slaves were, in fact, Muslim. They considered it their duty to enslave the non-muslims who were also not "People of the Book" to bring them to Islam. Of course, people who became Muslims weren't supposed to be KEPT as slaves.

[Quix]

THANKS. TOUCHING ARTICLE.

I'm curious. Does anyone know if it's possible for churches to sponsor a family?

[visualops]

I understand...language also comes easier to some than others. Lacking the advantage of youth, immersion is the best way to learn. If you haven't much choice, it's inevitable you learn. One of the biggest obstacles I see with Mexicans and other Spanish speaking peoples, is not only do they stay grouped together, but too many things are in Spanish. Everywhere you go, is dual signage and labeling etc. There is little or no incentive or prodding to assimilate and learn English. And the argument about "losing culture" is nonsense. I've known 3rd generation Greeks who can speak Greek and still follow many customs and traditions, and have never set foot in Greece, or only rarely. And, that goes for other ethnicities as well. I think there is such a thing in some cases of being too helpful and accomodating.

[Old Student]

I suppose I should address the rest of your post, too... Sorry, I'm tired and need defragmenting, like my computer...

I didn't intent to imply that you DO have a problem with any other religion; I mostly lurk here, but I've seen other posts of yours, and I often agree with you, or at least don't disagree sharply very often, if at all.

As far as those who obediently follow the Koran and Hadith, I don't have a problem with those who read it ALL. Like the Bible, their scriptures address problems their people have faced at various times in their history. Unlike the Bible, theirs are not arranged more or less chronologically, but by length of text. Makes it hard to figure out what part addresses what specific time and events in their history, and how things should be applied. I've lived in one country where the folks mostly seem to have it figured out; The Republic of Turkey.

It's the jerks like OBL and Saddam Hussein who use only the parts they want to use to make their point, and who want to have the folks who disagree with them killed to shut them up. For those, I just want them dead. I deeply regret that we weren't allowed to see to it with Saddam Hussein when I was last in that region, August 1990 to March 1991. Maybe we could have prevented all of this stuff. Inshallah, as my Turkish friends used to say. It is the will of God.

Sorry if I seemed to be attacking you, it wasn't intended that way.

[Peter Libra]

I read your post. The jury needs to wait on this and other projects. The novelty may wear off. No cess to these people (Bantu)but..... an amount of political correctness creeping in on this site, when others see your comments.

You may find out that many will run for cover and put the old nose up in the air,when and if there are problems. By then it will be too late.

[Old Student]

Since half (or more) of this country once belonged to Spain, I can understand their attitude, really. As far as assimilation, my own family assimilated. My surname is from Germany, and when I lived there, I had to learn what German I could from scratch; I had about a dozen words and phrases from my family. I've got no Russian, Lithuanian, Gaelic, or Spanish from them at all, and I have blood from each of those groups. I know a lot of the European Jews, Ashkenazim, or their children, assimilated once they arrived here, as well. My dad's family was Lutheran, as I understand it. I once heard him and my uncle arguing over whether they had been Jewish, before that. Dad thinks so, Uncle doesn't. Considering that my dad is the only blond in the family, and all his cousins and brothers and sisters and such that I've met have black hair, olive skin, and brown eyes, I have to wonder.

[Travelgirl]

These Bantus are just another imported blunt instrament for the politcal, finanacial, and cultural elites to use in their endeavor of destroying this country as we know it.

I think you are right. The man has four kids and expecting another one in May and doesn't have a job.....who gets to pay for all this??? you and I do. The first thing they should be taught is not to have more kids until they can pay for and support.

At the rate we are bringing immigrants over and the rate they are having kids, our kids will be the minority before long...who will help them???

Our kids won't be able to afford to have more than one or two because they will have to help support so many others.

Why is it the poor always have so many babies when they can get free (paid for by taxpayers) birth control.

[VOA]

No problem.
And you cut to the chase about the importance of the "time" factor in
the Koran and Hadith.
I didn't pick up on this until I heard a discussion between a former
Muslim (now a Christian preacher) and seminary professor R.C. Sproul about how the more
combative commandments of the Koran simply have no "end date" attached to them.

As much as I might sound off on the subject...a fair amount of my XMAS
money went to a rural elementary school in Iraq via a US Army chaplain in Baghdad.
Not pattin' myself on the back...I'm just saying that to let it be known that
the Islamics I have a beef with are the ones that would kill us if they got the chance.

Oh, and my original comment...that was more directed at the way the mainstream media
often seems to selectively sanitize parts of history. It just seems like shoddy reportage.

[visualops]

Why is it the poor always have so many babies when they can get free (paid for by taxpayers) birth control.

Well, we should just put an income requirement on pregnancy then.

"A south Nashville Somali mosque has raised money and gathered clothing for the new arrivals"
"World Relief helps refugees get jobs. Many of the Somalis who have arrived earlier work now in manual labor jobs at Dell Computer Corp. in Nashville, the Tyson Fresh Meats factory in Goodlettsville, Walden Books distribution center in La Vergne, Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville and in area hotels as janitors and maids"
"Ader has just been here a month. He anticipates learning English and getting a job before his next child is born in May"

It doesn't seem these people are interested in living off our welfare culture, unlike many others. I don't mind helping a man make a fishing pole if I know he intends to fish.

[Lion in Winter]

Bantus are fundamentalist muslims.

[KantianBurke]

By 2005, the United States plans to resettle about 12,000 Bantu across the country, according to the U.S. State Department.

Glad to see the State Dept doing the important work of keeping this country safe from terrorists (disgusted sarcasm off). Newt was right. State needs to be drained like the diseased swamp it was built on. Can't wait till the Bantu create Lewiston, ME part two.

[Fledermaus]

Yes! We in the entire Nashville area (Franklin, Brentwood, Smyrna, LaVergne, Hendersonville, Madison, Goodletsville) love the refugees.

We have a huge Kurdish population also. And like most cities, a large little Mexico (great restaurants and grocery stores to get that authentic Mexican food).

But it does make you stand up and think about the fact some people don't even understand the concept of hot and cold running water, washers and dryers, refrigerators, etc.

Just think of how they marvel at cable TV! lol

We fortunately have so many organizations (mostly NON-government thankfully) to help the transition. And we welcome all.

[KantianBurke]

Somalis in Maine reject democratic traditions, seek to maintain tribal form of government
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/790837/posts

Somali migration t Lewiston may have reached plateau
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/810549/posts

Somalis Came To Maine (Barf)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/802565/posts

Mayor urges Somali immigrants not to move to Lewiston
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/790651/posts

Maine:Fewer Somalis migrate to Lewiston in letter's aftermath
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/834531/posts

(Somali) Man jailed in Rangeley (Maine) rape case
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/912425/posts

Lewiston,Maine: New refugee coordinator starts work this week
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/803159/posts

Maine: Two charged with attempted murder in Lewiston
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/814845/posts

Maine: Police chief warns against harassment of Somali immigrants
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/812258/posts

care to add ur 2 cents ping?

[L.N. Smithee]

Let's see what his attitude is after a year or two here. 10-1 he never gets off welfare. Not saying they are bad folks, because they aren't, but they have entirely too many historical periods to jump when they come here from where they were. They will be totally alienated in no time, and there will be a huge outcry from the usual suspects for our culture to show deference to theirs. Bank on it.

I personally know two legal immigrants from Ghana who have professional careers in the U.S. some ten years after arriving, having done the menial jobs while getting their schooling. Can you explain what your point of reference is for your cynical prediction?

I concur with Southern Freebird. These are legal immigrants, who wish to assimilate and become Americans, not illegal immigrants, whose first act within the borders of the country is illegally entering it, and whose loyalty is not to the nation they escaped to, but to the one from which they fled.

If I didn't know better, I would think that you didn't want them to succeed just so you could be right. But I know better.

Don't I?

[KantianBurke]

See post #32. There's a legitimate concern over Somalis being brought over to this country.

[GaConfed]

If I didn't know better, I would think that you didn't want them to succeed just so you could be right. But I know better.

Your people from Ghana are light years ahead of these folks from Ghana, my friend. I've read many accounts of the Bantus, and all indications are that their culture is back in about the time before agriculture was discovered. A truely special case.

Now, as for my desire or lack thereof for this particular family to succeed in America, of course I do. However, I doubt very seriously that they will. I do think that immigration from third world countries needs to be substantially curtailed. Radically different cultures living cheek to jowl with each other has always lead to disaster. There has never been a case of a multicultural society existing in a prosperous and harmonious manner, and I think that is just human nature. No amount of technology will ever change it. The commmunists thought they could change the nature of man. They were wrong.

[Old Student]

some but not all, as far as I can tell, and very moderate, as far as they go.

http://www.culturalorientation.net/bantu/sbrelig.html

I can't tell you how reliable this website is, maybe someone else here can?

[Old Student]

http://www.kenyaweb.com/people/bantus.html

and they seem to have introduced the smelting and working of iron to Southern Africa.

[MissAmericanPie]

Twelve thousand new demonrats, how special.

[KantianBurke]

Indeed. Lewiston part II.

[radiohead]

I'm familiar with the lost boys story. It is indeed amazing. I believe that one benefit that they had, however, is that they learned English in the camps. That is a tremendous step up.

I don't mean to say that the father can't do something tremendous with his life (as far as I'm concerned, if he can find a decent job and support his family, he's doing what he's supposed to do), just that it would be difficult for him to move into something at a high skill level. Not impossible, just difficult. That's reality for many immigrants from very backward countries.

His children, however, can do anything. That's also the immigrant reality. My step-father's people are from a small island in the Carribean. His father was a servant for a rich white guy. Growing up in Florida, my step-father went barefoot unless he was in school or in church. We were never allowed to be barefoot - even in the house - because it was such a shameful memory for him.

My step-father worked his way through college (no loans back then), joined the Army, and used the GI bill to became a lawyer. His siblings include an Episcopal priest and several teachers. I'm a lawyer. Life in America - ain't it great?!

[VOA]

His children, however, can do anything. That's also the immigrant reality.

That's exactly the advice I've passed along to some of the "first ones off the boat"
that seem to be depressed that they don't have a million dollars after being
in the USA after a couple of years!


Life in America - ain't it great?!

Well, as badly as Jimmy Carter performed as a President, he did hit a homerun
when he reminded the nation (with a bit of passion!) that people were still
risking their lives to get to the USA, despite all the "malaise" and economic
problems of the time.

[Old Student]

When I was leaving for a tour in Germany in 1991, one of the taxi drivers I met in Charleston, SC, told us his story; He arrived in town with the cloths on his back, and about $15 in his pockets. He slept on a park bench until he found someone who had a dead VW bus for sale. He financed the bus by picking up aluminum cans and glass bottles. He lived in the bus until he was able to get a driver's license, and get a job as a taxi driver. He worked 12-hour days, 6 days a week, until he could buy his first taxi. When we met him, he owned 6 cabs, had 5 other drivers driving the rest of them for him, and he also owned 12 houses. He still worked 12-hour days, 6 days a week. He couldn't understand why some Americans wouldn't try to work to better themselves. He loved this country for the opportunity it gave him, and was working hard to make it possible for his kids to get college educations and better jobs. My kind of guy. At that time, he'd been here about 5 or 6 years. I expect he owns most of Charleston, now.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

freedom ping

[zimdog]

He already knows how to farm tobacco, so there might be a job in the South that he can not only do, but use his expertise.

[zimdog]

Farmers aren't hunter-gatherers.

[JoeSchem]

I wish them well, but history has shown that tribal refugees have had a mixed record. Vietnamese have been a success story, yet there is a high percentage of Cambodians who ended up on drugs. It's good that people are now realizing you can't throw them into an apartment and expect them to thrive.

[4.1O dana super trac pak]

I guess the bleeding hearts couldn't handle your posts.

[KantianBurke]

they don't need to. its not like THEY or their relatives are going to be living near or paying for these 3rd worlders.

[4.1O dana super trac pak]

I tell ya, you have to wonder about this website sometimes.

Don't these people know what the hell is going on here? Fooled by a liberal feelgood story, sheesh.

[tortoise]

Vietnamese have been a success story, yet there is a high percentage of Cambodians who ended up on drugs.

Vietnamese are successful probably because they despise each other and yet are well-educated. This cultural distrust of Vietnamese by Vietnamese makes it hard to have cohesive insular communities, unlike many other ethnic communities (e.g. Chinese). The result is an odd bias toward integrating into white communities rather than staying within their own communities. Most Vietnamese leave the Vietnamese neighborhoods as soon as it is feasible.

Part of what I've noticed that is unique, is that many Vietnamese immigrant parents actively encourage their children to essentially disown their cultural identity and adopt an American one. They may maintain some ethnic aspects such as food, but culturally they Americanize very fast.