Forbidden Talk: Second Generation Immigrants
I was unable to attend the second plenary, so my make up assignment was to watch and respond to the Forbidden Talk interview which discussed difficulties second generation immigrants face daily. It was definitely a very interesting interview to watch; the interview was between a half Iraqi, a quarter British, and a quarter Irish man named Philip, the reporter Ms. Delaney, and Dr. Ali, a specialist in the subject.
During the interview, Philip explained his life as a second generation immigrant living in England, and he discussed the struggles immigrants face, including alienation and assimilation. Dr. Ali explained that often times immigrants feel that they have to let go of their cultural identities in order to be accepted by society. Philip felt that as one himself, second generation immigrants should be proud of their identities and try to create a balance between trying to fit in while still keeping their own cultural identity.
I agree; second generation immigrants should be supported by society and accepted for who they are in terms of their cultural identities. They should not have to feel like they have to hide a part of their identity in order to be welcomed and accepted by society.
This idea of cultural identity discussed in the interview is a topic we have discussed in class-during class we learned the importance of our gender, sexual, religious, and cultural identities. This interview reminded me of the difficulties people often face while trying to discover their true identities in the judgmental society we live in.