Ethnic Groups & Discrimination Essay Example

sharing common cultural values and traditions.

By the early 20th century, new generations began to move into more urban areas, and eventually began to assimilate. (Lehman, 2000). The extent of prejudice against Norwegian Americans was waged upon them by the “larger culture” of Americans of British ancestry, who did not consider them “Anglo-Saxon brothers”.This was due largely in part to the anti-assimilationist mindset of the Norwegian American community; who preferred instead to retain their traditions, family units, and rural ways of life.

Norwegians had a tendency to marry within their own group, as this was considered traditional. Though they were not heavily prejudiced against, they were referred to at times as “guests”, due to large populations of the immigrants eventually returned to Norway during economically bad times. (Lehman, 2000). The assimulation process was specially noticable after the second generation moved to the city. Many Norwegians had “adopted urban standards” and the process of “Americanization” began.(Munch, 1998)

Most of the Norwegian immigrants brought with them skills that they would put to use in America to make a living. Most of them were farmers; with multitudes of others working in timber and lumber industries, fishing and shipping, and construction. Norwegian women mainly worked as domestic servants. Unlike many of the other groups within our history the women were paid quite well.This also aided in Norwegian women learning the American language.(Lehman, 2000).

I have come to the conclusion that Norwegians did not face as much persecution and discrimination as other subordiate groups. I believe this is due to the skills that they brought with them, and that they did not depend on others. They bought their own land, and lived off of

that land; by farming, and things of that nature. They practiced predomiantly the christian religion, which in turn, made them blend more with the religious majority of Americans.

I identify more with the American culture than any. I have lived in America all of my life and have very little knowledge of my heritage. I believe that I would love to know more about my family history and I will certainly take the time to better understand my family tree. During the course of this assignment I phoned my grandmother and was able to learn interesting information regarding my family’s personal experience during their immigration.

My Great, great grandfather was excited to live in America and he did not face persecution and prejudice.He bought land and at first lived in a hillside until he could afford to build a home. He and my Great, great grandmother had ten children and they were farmers, who worked very hard. I can honestly say that I am completely Americanized, as I could not imagine living in a hillside.

I have much admiration for the advantages that they gave me by immigrating to the United States.

Works Cited

1. "History of Minnesota. " Norwegian Immigration. http://www.mnsu. edu/emuseum/history/mnstatehistory/norwegian_migration. tml (accessed June 07, 2008).
2. Hofland, Neil A. "RootsWeb." Ancestry. com. 2008. http://archiver. rootsweb. ancestry.com/th/read/NORWAY/1999-05/0925640459 (accessed June 7, 2008).
3. Lehman, Jeffrey. "Energy of a Nation:Immigration Resources. " The advocates for human rights. 2000. http://www.energyofanation. org/3f9c3958-cf6f-43ed-a9bf-05b8ad118870. html? NodeId= (accessed June 7, 2008).
4. Munch, Peter A."Segregation and Assimilation. " In Segregation and Assimilation, by Peter Munch, 126. 1998.