Programs

MELTING POT OR MIXING BOWL: HOW IMMIGRATION SHAPES OUR HISTORY

America has long claimed to be "a nation of immigrants," and is now in the midst of the greatest wave of immigration in its history, with most newcomers originating in Latin America, Asia, and the Caribbean. How do they compare with their Ellis Island predecessors in skills, education, and attitude? Are they as likely to learn English and take on American ways? And how does America compare with other immigrant-receiving countries? In this illustrated lecture, Martin Ford traces the "great waves" in American immigration history and discusses how American attitudes toward newcomers have changed over time. Requires overhead projector and screen. Adult and high school audiences.

Martin Ford is Associate Director at the Maryland Office for New Americans and former Executive Director of the Maryland Ethnic Heritage Commission. He has taught at Bowie State University and Towson University and was a Fulbright scholar in Liberia. He received his Ph.D. and M.A. in Cultural Anthropology from SUNY-Binghamton, an M.A. in International Studies from Ohio University, and a B.A. in English Literature from Rutgers University.