Pakistani immigrants in two cultures

Do immigrants have an easier time assimiliating into some countries than into others?  Obviously, it’s difficult for anyone to meld into a strongly homogenous nation, such as Japan.  But what about cultures that seem equally open and diverse?  The NY Times this morning has an article that looks at the experience of Pakistani communities in the U.S. and Britain.

The conclusion?  Pakistani immigrants seem to be more integrated into America than into Britain.  Part of this is due to socioeconomic factors, and part of it is attributed to the culture in general.

… one major difference between the United States and Britain, some say, is the United States’ historical ideal of being a melting-pot meritocracy.

“You can keep the flavor of your ethnicity, but you are expected to become an American,” said Omer Mozaffar, 34, a Pakistani-American raised here who is working toward a doctorate in Islamic studies at the University of Chicago.

Britain remains far more rigid. In the United States, for example, Pakistani physicians are more likely to lead departments at hospitals or universities than they are in Britain, said Dr. Tariq H. Butt, a 52-year-old family physician who arrived in the United States 25 years ago for his residency.

That doesn’t mean, however, that the U.S. is immune from the sort of radicalism that has seeped into some immigrant communities in Britain.  All it takes, after all, is one angry young man to turn into a Timothy McVeigh.  As the articles notes…

The idea of a relatively smaller, more prosperous, more striving immigrant community inoculating against terror cells goes only so far. …A more important factor in determining who becomes a militant is most likely the feeling of being stigmatized as less than equal, community activists say, noting that such discrimination remains far more common in Britain. …

Overt bigotry is rarer here, but it exists. For instance, Mohamed Hanis, a taxi driver who is a Pakistani immigrant, said that on the Friday night after the terror alert in London, a young white man climbed into his cab. Noticing the name Mohamed, the man threatened to report that Mr. Hanis had admitted to supporting terrorist attacks unless he could get a free ride. Instead, Mr. Hanis hailed a police officer who forced the passenger to pay.

Related posts:

1. How immigrants assimilate ...
2. Balancing two cultures as an immigrant ...
3. Cultural diplomacy, from Pakistan to Britain ...