As enforcement of immigration laws has been relaxed and fewer Americans and Europeans are able to fill certain types of jobs, large populations of workers from regions with less economic opportunity are taking advantage of the situation. Immigrants from Latin America and East and Southeast Asia are pouring into the United States, and people from those regions, plus Eastern Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, are migrating to Europe.  The demographic changes resulting from this migration have resulted in new levels of interaction between cultures. In some cases, these interactions have been upliftingly positive for all parties involved. In other cases, these interactions have created disturbing divisions, sometimes even hatred and distrust.

This issue has caused concern and conflict at several levels. First, Americans, Europeans, and immigrants must decide how to overcome language barriers. How should expectations that immigrants learn a new language be balanced with respect for immigrants’ native languages? Second, how can race-based prejudice and misconceptions be overcome? How much should Americans and Europeans expect immigrants to put their native cultures aside and embrace American or European culture? What progress has been made in various countries for better relations between immigrants and domestic populations, and how can this progress be emulated in other countries’ situations? These are just some of the issues that I foresee being explored in this blog.

The answers to these questions are crucial to the future of our world. If these issues are resolved in a way that satisifies all parties involved, the world will reach a never-before-seen level of peace and cultural understanding. Economic divisions and ethnic divisions will be blurred, and prosperity will reach more people around the world. On the other hand, if relations between immigrants and nationals are not improved, we may reach an era of social segregation. In fact, many would argue that this has become a reality in some countries. If immigrants, who have moved to a new country to improve their lives and economic situations, cannot be cooperated with, who can be cooperated with? Can the West ever gain the trust of Iraqis, Pakistanis or Palestinians if it cannot get along with Latin American or East Asian immigrants?