ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the diverse cultures and languages of students attending American schools. Often the United States is referred to as the “land of immigrants.” But not all citizens of the country willingly became part of the country. Some were forced to do so, such as Native Americans and enslaved Africans. Others joined the country because of conquest or annexation, such as Mexicans living in territories conquered by the U.S. in the nineteenth century, Puerto Ricans, Hawaiians, and Alaskan Natives. Often these groups were subject to deculturalization or an attempt to destroy their cultures and languages. These groups are often called “dominated cultures” because they were forced to become part of the United States. Along with the vast number of immigrants, these dominated cultures are an important part of the U.S. population.
