In defense of Dr. Fleming

More Cultural Enrichment

Is Dr. Fleming engaging in Asian-bashing or making racist comments? After all, there are Anglo-Americans who engage in mass murder, killing, and other acts of violence. But let us try to keep in mind his main points:

1. Immigrants are usually not prepared to assimilate into this country.

On VDARE Brenda Walker speculates that it is the immigration experience that is to blame: “Immigrating to a completely foreign culture is a vastly more disorienting experience, where the possibility for failure is real and life-affecting. Remarkably, many foreigners come to this country with no knowledge of English or understanding of how the society works, yet expect to find jobs, navigate a complex modern culture and somehow achieve the American Dream of deluxe home, trophy children and other bragging rights to impress the homies.”

What does the National Government do to help immigrants assimilate into this country? None--it is assumed that the process will happen naturally, but since they are not asked to settle in a stable community which will aid in integration, how can this possibly happen, except haphazardly? Is the situation any better than the patients being in charge of the insane asylum? The country as a whole may not be in a state of a bedlam, but that is the problem with looking at things solely from a national perspective, instead of the local situation. (For example, certain parts of Los Angeles.)

2. While he agrees with Ms. Walker's point, he also posits that certain cultures may have different standards regarding justice, honor, and the use of violence.

This is surely part of the story, but we know too little of the cultures of these immigrants to rule out the residual effects of the killers’ cultural traditions.

If such cultural differences exist, is it wise to admit members of that culture into the United States, if they have no intention of repudiating their own culture and adopting another, or are 'set in their ways'?

3. Finally, he echoes what Dr. Helen's posted -- the passivity of self-perceived victims yields to erratic, violent behavior.

Some Asian men seem so passive and emasculate that they must have trouble coping in a more macho society, where they have to endure what they regard as attacks on their sense of honor. When they snap, they snap not like predators that can turn off their violence, but like the jackdaws that will peck an enemy to death, because they are not wired for fighting and the rituals that defuse violence.

But are some cultures more prone than others to creating what less tactful people might call losers? Certainly there are dysfunction American families or families that lack a real father to raise psychologically healthy and moral sons. But do we check the family life of those who petition to immigrate to this country? And should we? (The basic unit of a society is not the individual, but the family, and who can disagree that family dynamics can have a profound impact on the moral formation and psychological development of the children?)