The Czechoslovak Review/Volume 3/Americanization

by Josef Štýbr

Americanization

By DR. JOSEPH ŠTÝBR.

 

There is an old saying among the Czechs, “Sing the praises of him whose bread you eat.” This axiom expresses fittingly the basic principle of americanization. It is both right and proper that a man who has adopted this land for his country and is eating its bread should sing its praises, in other words, that he should become American. The question only is, how it should be done so that the country might find in him a loyal and useful citizen, and he in turn might find in the country the right kind of domicile, a satisfactory substitute for his native land, so that he might live contented and happy; for only then will he become a good citizen.

It has been often said that americanization means an amalgamation of the for eigner. What is amalgamation? Originally, in chemistry, it is a process by which mercury and some other metal, usually of the precious sort, are alloyed into a new substance, rather unstable, from which by heat or other means the original metals may easily be recovered. I do not know whether the use of the term was really premeditated, but my impression is that it has been well chosen. For in truth take any amalgamated citizen and heat him up, and you will soon be able to tell where he hails from—just like in the chemical process. Therefore it appears to me that it is impossible to americanize a man in the sense lately so often expressed and demanded: that he should forget his native land, that he should forget his mother tongue, that he should forget everything he was before he came to this country and should become a 100 percent American. All we can justly ask and expect from him is that he become a loyal citizen of this country and obey its laws and respect its institutions, and with that he will pass for a good citizen.

When I came to this country 28 years ago, I landed clad in the apparel of the latest cut of Europe at that time. I wore a pair of rather severely pointed shoes. One day, as I walked along the street, a group of school boys passed me, and an urchin from their midst gave me a slight glance and remarked to his chums, “Gee, I wouldn’t like this fellow to give me a kick from behind!” They laughed, but I took the hint. I really thanked the little fellow in my mind; I went directly to a shoe-store and bought myself a new pair of shoes. The rest of my apparel soon followed; I improved my English; in due time I acquired the citizenship and ultimately became so thoroughly americanized that now, after 28 years, I am called upon to speak for the Czechs of our community.

You will notice that americanization in my case began with the feet, and it may seem a rather strange procedure; nevertheless, if you are intent upon americanizing a foreigner, I would suggest to begin with the feet. Teach him how to walk in the American life; teach him how to grasp things in the American light; do it all in a kind and benevolent manner, and you are bound to gain his heart and convince his head. Never begin with his head as it has been lately advocated; the head is too round and too hard an object to break over the knee. To begin denationalization with the head is a German method, and we Czechs know all about it from our experience. We have been taught the German language at home so efficiently that in time we were able to tell the Germans plainly in their own tongue what we thought of them, and then we left our oppressed native land to seek the land of liberty. If you will attempt to compel the foreigner to do something similar, he may learn how to tell you in plain English what he thinks of you, but then your purpose may be spoiled. And remember, gentlemen, that if the foreigner will be docile and willing and will see his best interest in becoming speedily americanized, that he can hardly do it in any other way except by imitating you and your ways in order to produce the golden American amalgam, and utimately you will be able to see yourself in him like in a mirror. If you wish to like and admire your own reflection, put into him that which is the best and most admirable in you. Show yourselves to him in the right light; approach him in the right way; protect him from evil influences and above all protect him from exploitation of the “also citizen” whose only design is the foreigner’s scalp. And do not forget, gentlemen, that while the foreigner is undergoing americanization he also is constantly living in memories and in comparisons, and bear with him patiently when, on account of recalling to his mind things he believes were better in his old home, he cannot promptly see things that may be better here in their proper light.

The process of americanization along these lines is naturally slow and requires a good bit of patience from both sides. It would be unnatural, unreasonable and even immoral to expect the foreigner to forget all that he was before he fell into the amalgamating pot. It would be unnatural and unreasonable because it is physically impossible; and it would be immoral because it is contrary to the law of God. How can anyone ask me to forget my father who is sleeping his eternal sleep in my native land; and how can I think of him and forget the beautiful land where he is resting?

So you see, gentlemen, that americanization, as I say, is much slower process than many of us may imagine, and I do not believe that the hyphen can be expunged within one generation. That, however, does not necessarily mean that the americanized foreign-born citizen should or does love his adopted country less than his american-born fellow-citizen. In the end, whether fully conscious or partly unconscious of the fact, we are all working toward one end in preparing this beautiful and great, but still young and somewhat raw, country for the happiness of our future generations. And while each of us is doing his bit to his best ability, the great melting pot is boiling hot and working over-time. It does not matter much where we originally hail from, as old Omar put it,

“Whether at Naishapur or at Babylon;
Whether the Cup with sweet or bitter run:
The Wine of Life keeps oozing drop by drop;
The Leaves of Life keep falling one by one.”

And when our labors are done and we shall have laid our weary heads to our eternal rest, then our children will sing together with your children,

Land where our fathers died,
Land of the pilgrims’ pride—”

and then the process of americanization will be completed.

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*) Address delivered before the Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce, May 3, 1919.