Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
In Europe, many immigrants melt into their adopted homelands, while others flat-
out don't want to assimilate. With the increasing affordability of modern communication
technologies, it's becoming easier and easier for immigrants to establish insulated satellite
communities that remain in constant contact with the culture and language of their home-
land.
These days, it seems that immigrant groups can choose whether or not they want to
integrate with their adopted countries. I've met third-generation Algerians in the Nether-
lands who don't speak a word of Dutch, and don't expect their children to, either. And I've
met third-generation Pakistanis in Denmark that speak only Danish and know and love
their adopted country just as their blonde neighbors do. Like the US, Europe is suffering
growing pains when it comes to its immigrants. Coming from an immigrant family in a
nation of immigrants, I like America's “melting pot” approach. I think it works best for all
if newcomers embrace their adopted culture, learn the local language, and melt in.
But the European scene is a bit more complex. While I'm a fan of melting in, I also
respect the cultural diversity and survival of Europe's smaller ethnic groups. If diversity is
such a virtue, what's wrong with immigrants wanting to preserve their home cultures? Is
it hypocritical to celebrate the preservation of the Catalan language, but expect Algerians
to learn Dutch? Should Europe's famous tolerance extend only to indigenous European
cultures?
While I'm glad I'm not a policymaker who needs to implement immigration laws
in Europe, I'll be honest about my take on this dicey issue: I favor indigenous diversity
(policies favoring European “nations without states”), but policies facilitating immigrant
laborers and their families (from outside Europe) to embrace local cultural norms and as-
similate. For more on this topic, see “Immigrants: Treasure Your Heritage…and Melt” on
here
. While Europe could probably learn more from America on immigration issues, as
both societies grapple with this challenge, we can learn from each other's successes and
failures.
I'm hopeful that Europe can overcome the challenge of its new ethnic mix because of its
proven track record for pluralism. While Europe has no shortage of closed-minded, knee-
jerk opinions, most Europeans consider tolerance a virtue to be cultivated. At the leading
edge of this thinking is the Netherlands. Historically, this corner of Europe saw some of
the most devastating Catholics-versus-Protestants fighting in the religious wars following
the Reformation. They learned to be inclusive—welcoming Jews when others wouldn't
and providing refuge to religious refugees (such as our nation's Pilgrim founders). And, as
a major maritime power during the Age of Discovery, the Netherlands became a gateway
