Generations and Immigration

Music and Art at the Ukrainian Institute of America

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Posted by Bohdan A. Oryshkevich on September 01, 2005 at 19:50:49:

In Reply to: Re: Jersey Shore and Dinner in the East Village posted by Marek Bezshtutz on September 01, 2005 at 18:49:01:

Generally speaking, the first generation in America is that that works here for a living.

That person is likely to go back to say Ukraine and be proud of his/her success. He is likely to leave parents, brothers, sisters and even children in Ukraine.

If one is born to such parents (as you describe about yourself) one is second generation American.

This is not being petty. This is being practical. First and second and third and fourth generation people have different relations to their country of origin. They have different language skills and different levels of integration into American society. Many scholars and community organizers use these levels of analysis.

One can state that different generations are ethnic by reality or by choice.

In order to create and maintain viable organizations and a healthy community, one has to take these things into account.

The young people of Plast and CYM today are fourth or fifth generation Americans of Ukrainian origin. That is the younger elements of the emihratsiya that came after WW II are fourth or fifth generation.

I was born in Germany in 1947 and could be considered third generation since my grandfather came and worked here in America. But he arrived right after my parents and my self.

I do not think that that second or later generations here are in any way capable of making critical decisions about all aspects of Ukraine. That is they are not part of the political, social, and anthropological process of Ukraine. Their income, outlook, etc. is much more likely to be reflective of America than of Ukraine.

Bohdan A. Oryshkevich
Coordinator
USA/USA Program

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: Generally speaking, the first generation in America is that that works here for a living. : That person is likely to go back to say Ukraine and be proud of his/her success. He is likely to leave parents, brothers, sisters and even children in Ukraine. : If one is born to such parents (as you describe about yourself) one is second generation American. : This is not being petty. This is being practical. First and second and third and fourth generation people have different relations to their country of origin. They have different language skills and different levels of integration into American society. Many scholars and community organizers use these levels of analysis. : One can state that different generations are ethnic by reality or by choice. : In order to create and maintain viable organizations and a healthy community, one has to take these things into account. : The young people of Plast and CYM today are fourth or fifth generation Americans of Ukrainian origin. That is the younger elements of the emihratsiya that came after WW II are fourth or fifth generation. : I was born in Germany in 1947 and could be considered third generation since my grandfather came and worked here in America. But he arrived right after my parents and my self. : I do not think that that second or later generations here are in any way capable of making critical decisions about all aspects of Ukraine. That is they are not part of the political, social, and anthropological process of Ukraine. Their income, outlook, etc. is much more likely to be reflective of America than of Ukraine. : Bohdan A. Oryshkevich : Coordinator : USA/USA Program

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