By Mari D. González
Assimilation is a process in which people with a different culture of origin completely adapt to the culture of residency, leaving behind traits from their culture of origin. That has been the expected social standard in the U.S. for all immigrants. Latinos have not and will not completely assimilate, culturally, that is.
Latinos and Americans are “acculturating” to each other by borrowing traits and merging cultures as a result of prolonged contact. Acculturation and assimilation are two different terms and should not be used interchangeably.
IXMATI 