A FORUM FOR COMMUNITY ISSUES : Platform / Immigrant Responsibilities: ‘Isolation Is a Mistake’

Director, community and political affairs, Service Employees International Union 660. He lives in Redondo Beach.

I really believe that a person coming into any community has the responsibility to become aware of its customs. I also believe they should learn to communicate in the prevalent language. That doesn’t mean they have to destroy their own culture, but they should assimilate some.

Isolationism--setting themselves apart--is a mistake for a group. When they keep themselves separate from groups around them, it’s seen as a form of invasion by the dominant community.

I also think that each incoming culture, as well as the dominant culture, has an obligation to teach other groups about themselves, so there’s some understanding, and people on both sides can learn not to offend each other.

Finally, and most important, I believe we all have a joint responsibility to do our best to get along, and to share this planet in a peaceful way.