Introduction
Every immigrant lives in a new country through the so-called “immigration process,” during which he realizes the transformations in his life due to environmental changes. It has been shown that the immigration process itself may result in several psychological issues, including loss and separation from one’s home and loved ones, social function impairment, and a new environmental shock. The problems with immigration listed above are discussed in the article “Eat Turkey, Become American” by Marie Myung-Ok Lee.
Article Analysis
Author Experience
Immigration laws at the time forbade most immigrants from East Asia, the distinction between having a visa and being an actual citizen, and how customs and holidays like Thanksgiving are a gift of understanding why people genuinely celebrate them. However, when integrating into a new society, immigrants tend to disregard their cultural values and take up new ones to fit in, which makes them lose authenticity.
Marie Myung-Ok Lee shares her perspective on her family’s experience as a young American child in “Eat Turkey, Become American.” For her family, immigration to America meant a better life. In addition, she focused on the regrettable incidents that gave rise to bigotry and problems with immigration (Lee, 2014). One of them was that few East Asian immigrants were allowed to enter the country. A whole nation and its inhabitants were first prohibited from entering the United States or even becoming citizens, and this decision was made exclusively based on race.
Target Audience
The author targets readers who may need to be made aware of immigrants’ challenges and problems in their quest to become citizens and those whose relatives have immigrated from other nations. People who may have a wrong impression of immigrants could be somehow insulted. Regardless of the reasons for moving, everyone has to give up something when they go to a new country, and everyone goes through the process of adapting to a new situation. Regularly, individuals have to get used to the century-old traditions of the country they move to.
Thanksgiving Tradition as an Example of Assimilation
One such custom is eating turkey on Thanksgiving Day all over the U.S., as this dish has a story. In the fall of 1620, European immigrants landed in North America in modern Plymouth, Massachusetts, and founded a small settlement (Lee, 2014). Without the assistance of the Pequot Indians, who taught the Europeans what and who to eat in this area, they would not have been able to survive the first winter. The settlers harvested the first crop a year later, and they decided to celebrate by creating what is now known as Thanksgiving Day. The roast turkey was said to be one of the primary delicacies. This is how the dish became accustomed to the region and is still popular among American families and immigrants as a symbol of a family holiday.
In the article, the author examines how eating turkey on Thanksgiving has become a representation of American identity and a means for immigrants to adapt to American society. Concentrating on the Thanksgiving ritual of eating turkey emphasizes how food can work as a unifying force and a way of embracing American ideals and practices. This investigation aims to provide insight into the difficulties of cultural blending and the relevance of food as a sign of identity.
Article Message
Ultimately, the essay challenges readers to think about how cuisine and cultural customs play a part in becoming “American” and to reflect on the complex process of cultural assimilation in a varied community. Food symbolizes love, celebration, pleasure, and much more – a metaphor for ethnic unity (Lee, 2014). The feeling of hunger is natural for a person, and when they get into a new cultural environment for themselves, they continue to experience it. As a rule, to form an idea of the country, travelers try traditional dishes from this area and create their own idea of them, which, ultimately, is reflected in the impression of studying the country as a whole.
Nonetheless, one’s origins will always be revealed, meaning a person will always belong to the culture they were born into. The article shows that Lee only learned the recipe for the traditional dish “crescent-shaped dumplings called songpyeon” in her 30s (Lee, 2014, para. 10). This means that denying one’s belonging to a specific culture or simply disregarding it is impossible. The roots are always in one’s mentality and will show up no matter how hidden they are in some circumstances.
Conclusion
In conclusion, many immigrants must realize the consequences of adapting to a new society. Sometimes, people have to give up their old habits to integrate. In Lee’s case, she had to get used to American culture by eating turkey on Thanksgiving because it was a way to assimilate. In general, food is a symbol that shapes a culture’s identity. However, one may respect the country they immigrated to without forgetting their roots.
Reference
Lee, M. (2014). Eat Turkey, Become American. The New York Times. Web.