Globalization the Secure Fence Act

Globalization

The Secure Fence Act

President Bush signed the Secure Fence Act into law on October 26, 2006. This policy provides for the construction of a border fence along the United State's southern border with Mexico, beefs up security and enforcement along the border, and allows "guest" workers and citizenship for illegal immigrants who meet certain criteria and pay a fine. K. Anthony Appiah wrote of cultural diversity in his essay "The Case for Contamination," arguing that cultures must change and grow to remain viable, and that "homogeneity" is not desirable or even healthy for any society or culture, especially for too long a period of time.

At first, it seemed Appiah's argument would concern itself with the "contamination" of a society by outsiders, and that he would oppose the Secure Fence Act for those reasons. However, after assessing his arguments and rereading the information on the Secure Fence Act, it seems Appiah's argument applies to the Act in a number of ways. First, he maintains that a culture that does not shed traditional ways will sooner or later lag behind in technology and innovation. This has been shown time and time again in the United States, where immigrants from all over the world have come to settle for centuries. These immigrants hold on to many of their cultural traditions, from Scottish bagpipes to Italian and Chinese food restaurants. However, they also assimilate into American culture, bringing everything from new words (think pizza, bok choy, lasagna, and pho), to new tastes and new ideas to blend into our own culture.

Appiah uses the argument of his homeland in Ghana that holds on to traditional rituals, even as computers and cell phones become more prevalent in society. The same is true in our society. We celebrate the Fourth of July to commemorate the founding of our nation, and everyone joins in - black, white, yellow, red, and brown. If cultures blend long enough, there are no longer so many lines between them. For example, immigrants who came here hundreds of years ago think of themselves as Americans with Spanish, Irish, Scottish, or German roots, but they think of themselves as Americans.

This is true with a new generation of immigrants, as well. While many people see Hispanics as a cause of additional strain on our societal resources, many of these people are coming here for the same opportunities and advantages that our own ancestors came her for - a better life and to follow their dream. They work in industries that white Americans shun, such as agriculture, domestic labor, and hospitality, and they do it willingly, rather than grudgingly. These people hold on to their culture, but they also assimilate into American culture, just as Appiah notes. It would be impossible for them to move to the U.S. And live as they had in their own country. They adapt and conform, and hold on to the values and traditions that are the most important to them.