IMMIGRANT+DEFINITIONS


 * __Extension:__**
 * __1. READ THIS:__**

In a 1978 paper, Nigerian-American anthropologist named [|John Ogbu] (1939-2003) developed these two definitions of American minorities (non-white): EXAMPLES: a Chinese-American; a Filipino-American person EXAMPLES: an African American person, descended from African slaves; a Tlingit person, descended from Tlingit people who lost governance and rights under U.S. law
 * "**voluntary minorities**" -- groups of [|immigrants] who chose to come to the United States, and their descendants
 * "**involuntary minorities**" -- descendants of groups of persons who found themselves in the United States, or under United States jurisdiction, against their will.

Ogbu also defined "**mainstream culture**", or "dominant culture": the culture that is most represented in government (the president, Congress, etc.), movies, books, etc. For the most part in 1978 (and today), that included "white" people of European descent.

Ogbu argued that "involuntary minorities" often do more poorly in school because they have adopted (and inherited) resistance to "mainstream" culture -- the culture that -- generations ago -- made their ancestors Americans against their will.


 * __2. NOW REFLECT ON THIS__**:

Are the people in the perspective you are studying voluntary minorities, involuntary minorities, or part of "mainstream culture"? Explain. Type your reflection -- include definitions! -- into the "2009: Today" section on your wiki page.


 * __EXAMPLES -- HOW YOURS COULD LOOK:__**

for the Iroquois -- According to Nigerian-American anthropologist John Ogbu, descendants of the Iroquois are "involuntary minorities," which means they are descendants of people who found themselves under U.S. jurisdiction against their will. The Iroquois once had an independent nation and government; now they are subject to U.S. laws (though they maintain a cultural government). This means Iroquois children may have inherited resistance to "mainstream" U.S. culture, including negative attitudes toward school.

for the Germans -- According to Nigerian-American anthropologist John Ogbu, descendants of the Germans are part of "mainstream culture," which means they are part of the culture most represented in government, movies, books, etc. This means that, as a group, descendants of Germans have inherited a sense that people who look like them -- "white" people -- are shaping America. As a group, they will feel positive about American culture and goals.

for the Persians (not on our list) -- According to Nigerian-American anthropologist John Ogbu, descendants of Persians are "voluntary minorities," which means they are descendants of immigrants who came to the U.S. of their own will. This means that, according to Ogbu's theories, descendants of Persian children will most likely inherit acceptance of U.S. culture and willingness to do well in it.