The Promise Land

“Naturalization, with us Russian Jews, may mean more than the adoption of the immigrant by America. It may mean the adoption of America by the immigrant.” —Mary Antin.  

The Promise Land is a classic immigration story about Mary Antin, who as a young girl arrived in the United States from Russia in the 1880s, and how she became “Americanized.” After the publication of her book, she lectured on her immigrant experience and was often seen as a role model of successful American immigration. Contemporary critics of the melting pot ideology, however, such as Horace Kellen and Randolph Bourne, criticized Antin for being more flatteringly American than Americans. Both critics supported cultural pluralism, in which each “nationality” would keep their own identity.

Antin’s autobiography remains a fascinating read for students of American history and continues to be relevant during the current immigration discussions.