Exclusion

Exclusion: The Myth of the Melting Pot

America’s approach to unifying diverse immigrant populations through cultural assimilation was referred to as a ‘melting pot’ as early as the mid-1800s. Ideas of ‘Americans’ as a race unto themselves, something different than and set apart from their original European nations, required newcomers to (at least publicly) give up many of their traditional customs.

Stephen Sondheim’s beloved West Side Story is one of many musicals highlighting the tensions that resulted from immigration policies and unequal experiences with attempted cultural homogeneity.

Historical Narrative: Ellis Island

Recall: what you learned about Ellis Island and early immigration to the United States in school. Before you read any of this week’s materials, jot down what you remember about how it was taught (it’s okay if it’s vague!).

Read: chapter 5 of Heike Paul’s The Myths that Made America (“E Pluribus Unum? The Myth of the Melting Pot”), then review the brief materials below that explain - and critique - the concept.

Melting Pot - ECPSMelting Pot

Melting Pots and Salad Bowls

Review: the notes below about a 1908 play describing US policies and practices of cultural assimilation in the late 1800s and early 1900s. You can read the full play here.

In The Melting Pot, Zangwill’s protagonist explains the American population using religious ideology, with an explicit nod to Ellis Island as an entrypoint to the melting pot:

Understand that America is God's Crucible, the great Melting-Pot where all the races of Europe are melting and re-forming! Here you stand, good folk, think I, when I see them at Ellis Island, here you stand in your fifty groups, your fifty languages, and histories, and your fifty blood hatreds and rivalries. But you won't be long like that, brothers, for these are the fires of God you've come to—these are fires of God. A fig for your feuds and vendettas! Germans and Frenchmen, Irishmen and Englishmen, Jews and Russians—into the Crucible with you all! God is making the American.

Enduring Stereotype: ‘Dirty’ Immigrants

Watch: the title song from Rags, a 1986 musical following a group of immigrants on their journey to Ellis Island and into American society. The show had a 2019-2020 UK revival...perhaps with particular poignancy in the wake of Brexit and increased anti-immigrant rhetoric in Britain.

Enduring Value: Assimilation

Consider: how immigrants are viewed in the United States, and what their expectations might be of their new (and old) home countries. For an example of this depicted in musical theatre, watch this scene from West Side Story.

Complete: Anthem Analysis # 3 by answering the questions below.

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