OK, Pascal made the right call when he decided to immigrate and then to stay in America when the others returned home.
But, was it all worth it? In INDIVIDUAL TERMS, probably Pascal concludes that it was.
But in COLLECTIVE terms, in terms of the history of humanity (think big, don't be shy), was the mass migration of large populations to this continent worth it?
What about the pain, the suffering, the slavery, the tragedies that befell them?
All of that resulted in the colonization of the continent.
Progress exacts a price to be paid in innocent victims.
What if you were the victim?
COMMENT and REPLY ad libitum.
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ReplyDeleteIf I am being honest, no, I do not think on a whole that the mass migration of populations to this continent was worth it. At least not initially. It's difficult to say that it was completely a loss because in the long run a lot of people did benefit by coming to the United States. However, it still begs the question would they or their descendants have eventually also achieved that same status is they had stayed in their own countries? They came from their place of origin to America for a better life and a lot of people didn't get that and if they did they had to endure a lot.
ReplyDeleteHowever, all these people coming here, whether it was through mass migration or by being unwillingly brought here, it created a lot of progress that probably would have never happened had the people already living in the Americas never encountered anyone different from them and if those people never fought for their rights and equality as human beings.
If I were the victim, in that moment I definitely think that I would feel like I made a mistake by migrating to America but I would make the choice to try my hardest to make the best out of it. Also, I feel like if I was indeed struggling wherever I came from and then I came to America and I was still struggling, I would probably stay because I would still feel like there is a chance of things getting better. Then again, one never knows what they would do unless they are actually put into that exact situation.
Hi Amanda,
DeleteI believe it was necessary for them to take a risk. They we're living in poverty in their own country, hardly enough money to pay for bread. Coming to America they we're granted an opportunity of a better life. Sure, it came at a price but if they didn't risk anything they wouldn't gain anything. They would still be living in poverty. It's a shame how much suffering had it come from everything that America went through, but I believe the risk was worth it in the long run.
I’d have to say I partially disagree. I believe the mass migration was worth it if you were living in very harsh conditions in your country as well. Sure, life will be even harder in a new, unknown country but if there is a higher chance of prospering I think it is worth the risk, if you are not missing out on a life of ease back at home that is.
DeleteI believe the mass migration to America was worth it because if they were to stay home they would continue living the life they already had and there wouldn't be any change. No matter what, they were already poor in their own country so giving it a shot in another country gave them a chance to a new opportunity. The jobs in their current countries were not paying enough to support themselves and their families so they had to look elsewhere. A lot of people had to go through pain, suffering and slavery but I still feel to move forward in humanity you must take risks and go through terrible things to get better things in life. If you always stay neutral, then you're never pushing yourself hard enough to get further in life.
ReplyDeleteIf I was a victim and I heard about all these opportunities about having a better life, I would come to America. Nothing in life is guaranteed but taking a risk to go there and having new jobs even though I know it would not be easy to just settle down in a new country I am willing to go through rough times and survive it out instead of staying in a country that would provide me and my future family the same life I am living now.
Hi Annie, although I did not directly mention this in my own comment I agree that they had to take a chance and come to America even if it meant that they would risk the same fate. Also, as I previously stated, if they hadn't made that move then I do not believe that Ameirca itself would have been able to progress as a nation.
DeleteYes, I agree as well. It's important to take risks in life or we'll never move forward and grow.
DeleteI agree, people would've have been able to progress. This way, they were able to try and become successful and gain a comfortable living. I feel like immigrants are more devoted being successful because they know how hard it is to live and work in tough conditions.
DeleteThis is an interesting approach to being "the victim". I did not see the benefits of taking a risk in this migration previously that I know see are relevant. Knowing that at the long I will be benefited from the migration is an aspect to strive to, without regretting the decision to move.
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ReplyDeletei am an immigrant and i came into this country for better future. Pascal made the right decision in migrating to America, he was not only thinking about himself but about his happiness(family). i believe that mass migration built the wealth and knowledge of American.
ReplyDeleteIn the greater scheme of things, Pascal's story ends well and he probably would not have that ending if he didn't come to America. But I think he endured so much suffering that it's hard to put it in perspective. Yes, he succeeded in the end, and that's what is important, but it took A LOT for him to get there. So yes it's worth it, but we don't know what his life would have been if he stayed in Italy.
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah
DeleteInteresting point of view. Maybe Pascal would have succeeded in Italy also. But in America he definitely had better opportunities in the end that he fully realized and availed them too. So it was his success, yet he and other immigrants suffered a lot.
Thanks
Although Pascal concluded that it was worth it staying in America, probably because he had become this well known poet. But for the other immigrants the conditions were so harsh. I think, as they say, The grass was not greener on both the sides. But if they would have stayed in Tlay and did something for the progress of their own country, it would have better conditions for them living bin their hometoen like that. Instead when they came to America, so far away from their homeland, Leaving behind their loved ones, it just created disputation and confusion. Hence they were manipulated by the American society. And history here represents the clear picture of Pascal and his fellow immigrants from Italy. If I were the victim of this, I would probably do what Pascal did and start writing and telling the world about the social injustices that occurred during that time.
ReplyDeleteI do agree that instead of migrating to America they could help their society and community back at home, but what if that still does them no good and they continue to suffer? Will they just have to continue to suffer for the rest of their lives?
DeleteYes, Pascal did make the right call when he decided to immigrate and then stay in America for at the end he achieved a goal that he would probably have not achieved back in Italy. If he had left America when his father did all their sufferings would have been for nothing. Also, Pascal's living conditions in Italy were hardly any better. Even in Italy they were crammed into one small bed. He worked hard labor there too. The only upsides being his family was there and he worked for himself not ruthless foremen.
ReplyDeleteI believe that for poverty-stricken people like Pascal who were living in very harsh conditions in their own country's as well the migration was worth it. It would also be worth it for people who were rich and could start an even better life in America by learning and expanding their knowledge and businesses. But for people who, though they were not very rich, lived lives of relative ease, where they always had enough to eat and enough place to sleep, it would be best that they stay in their own country instead of risking their happiness and wellbeing. For such people I believe migration to America was not worth it.
So simply I can say that I think the mass migration was worth it for most, but if a person was getting by well enough in their own country they would be making a mistake by leaving. However, these migrations did change America for the better making it a beautifully diverse land.
If I put myself in the shoes of these immigrants I believe I would only endure the hardships of this new land if I knew my chances of prospering in my own country were near zero. Or if there was a high chance that I could prosper even more in this new land, but if in the unlikely case I did not, I could easily go back to my old life without facing severe struggles.
Personally, I think that migration helped and benefitted each individual differently. Some came to America and became successful or at least built a comfortable lifestyle. Some, however, weren’t so lucky. Since migration started many people have lost their lives due to hate, poverty or improper health care. When migrating many think they will be receiving the life they’ve always dreamed of; with being an immigrant comes struggles of being accepted in society, finding a job, a home and maintaining them. Everyone experienced different outcomes. Overall mass migration did benefit people and was worth it because they laid the ground work for future generations to migrate as well, and also the majority were able to survive and maintain a comfortable life which they didn’t have in their homeland. Also, without migrating, the world would be closed off to different cultures and lifestyles. People were able to benefit from knowledge of different people and from all around the world. The overall outcome was worth it.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree with the idea that no migration would've kept cultures restricted. The blend of cultures has been crucial to the success of some, where their culture being accepted helped in their success.
DeleteI agree, there is so much more than just coming over and earning the "American dream." I said something similar about future generations. Although it was hard for the original immigrants, the future generations would have it easier.
DeleteOn a broader scale, mass migration was beneficial to many. Sure, many suffered in the process. But some of those chose to take the risk in order for a chance at prosperity. Those who were involved without their choice suffered a fate they had no decision on. Overall, the collection of suffering did result in eventual prosperity for many, a prosperity they likely would have never obtained in their original homeland. Had I been a victim, I either would've recognized the risk taken for the future, or had to unfortunately accept my undecided fate.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, I do not believe that the large migration of populations to this continent was worth it. These populations came to America not knowing the language, not knowing the economic situation (both of the country and for themselves), not knowing the social and political aspects, and finally not knowing the agriculture of the country. They had moved in the hope that everything will work out in the long run. Coming to America posed a large threat to all that migrated. They left a life they knew in the hope that their aspirations would be achieved. Even though life in Italy wasn’t great, it was a greater situation than the one they found themselves in upon the arrival of the new continent. Coming to this new continent brought pain, suffering, slavery, and other tragedies to which the populations were not prepared for. They thought they were coming to a new joyous life, and didn’t realize that they would be suffering.
ReplyDeleteIf I were the victim, I would question my decision to migrate. I would think I was coming into a happy new life not one of suffering. I would prefer to return to the life I had in Italy where at least I can be content with the situation, rather than the pain and suffering with no happiness.
Honestly I do think it is worth it because back in Italy, Pascal and his family were suffering from starvation and were not making nearly enough to survive. Coming to America for not only Pascal, but as a large population of Italians they had to suffer through so much. But many immigrants after decades of hardships find more success in America than they were in their home country. Though through much suffering and tragedies I believe it can become worth it once the person becomes successful they will say it was all worth it.
ReplyDeleteI cannot give my view if I were the victim however, my grandfather can. He came to America with a large population of his country because they were in a similar situation. He suffered for years and had many struggles but deemed success after decades of hardships.
There are both pros and cons about staying in Italy or migrating. However, I think it would have been best if Pascal and others stayed. There are many factors to consider such as the economics, social status, politics, language,and other norms that must be learned to be successful in the states.
ReplyDeleteI do not think Pascal had a clear vision of what life would really be like when he came over. He only saw the "American dream" and not the hardships. He faced more hardships in the states then he would back in Italy.
As the victim, I would think about the future generations I would reproduce. I would consider if generations later if it would be easier to live as an immigrant. It is a tough choice, but I would look to the future.
He didn't know how life as an immigrant would really be.I do not think Pascal had a clear vision of what life would really be like when he came over. He only saw the "American dream" and not the hardships. He faced more hardships in the states then he would back in Italy.
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