The Greek-American

Culture
By: Zeke Michel

Origins and Immigration

The first wave of Immigration of the Greeks to the U.S.

came in 1880.

When the Flood of Greek immigrants came to the

U.S. in the late 1800s, they actually did not intend
on staying.

When the Greeks came, they came on steam ships

which brought them here for work.

When they came they settled in the eastern and midwestern states

Fun fact: between 18991910, 95% of the immigrants

were men.

Shared Culture, Values, and Customs

Greece is a Hellenic republic and we are a constitutional

based federal republic.

Greek Americans share a work ethic similar to Americans

and are hard working individuals who are very family
driven.

Ethnic Identity and Sense of Peoplehood

The Greeks have been around for an extremely long time,

back to 10,000 BC.

The ancient Greeks were actually the creators of the

Olympics as entertainment.

When you think about Greece, typically you imagine

ancient Greece and Greek mythology.

When really most religious Greeks today actually practice

Greek Orthodox Catholicism.

Ethnic Identity Continued

The most important holiday for Greece is Easter.

The Greeks also have many superstitions to uphold by.

They believe in the Evil Eye AKA Mati, which you catch from
someone elses jealous compliment or envy.

They also believe that spitting is a way to chase away the

devil and misfortune, people will often spit three times
after bad news.

They also believe that Tuesday falling on the 13th of the

month is bad luck.

Perspectives and World Views

How would Greek people view problems of the world you might
ask?

Well Greek people see the opportunity for change through all their
many, many changes they have seen through the millenniums.

They have changed a lot through their good and bad times and are
currently in a debt crisis which they will figure out just like they
have for all this time.

My personal perspective, all of the Greeks I have come to know in

my family have been very stubborn people who do not back down
from what they believe.

Ethnic Institutions

One ethnic institution I found on Greek-Americans is the

Modern Greek-American Studies Association.

This associations entire goal is to promote the knowledge

of modern Greek-American society and educate people on
it.

Another institution in place for them was the American

Hellenic Educational Progressive Association founded in
1922.

Demographics of Greeks

There are approximately 1,380,000 Greek-Americans living in America

today.

The most heavily populated areas for Greek-Americans are New York,
Chicago, Detroit, Boston, Baltimore, and Cleveland.

Politically speaking Greek-Americans are typically more democratic

and calling for action by the U.S. in the debt crisis in Greece.

Economically speaking, just like all demographics there are GreekAmericans in all the economic classes. They are however, more
average than most populations are and have more middle to upper
class than a lot of other ethnic groups.

Prejudice, Discrimination, and Racism

Just like all ethnicities, the Greeks were given their share
of discrimination and racism.

When they were first coming over they were hated and
called the Dirty Greeks and were discriminated against.

They faced acts of violence carried out by the Klu Klux

Klan.

They are not as much hated against today anymore.

Intra Ethnic Diversity

Inside the Greek-American culture there are a few

separate groups who have separate ideals that can be
somewhat narrowed down.

Essentially there are the Greek-Americans who have been

born and bred in America for quite a few generations and
have essentially cut ties with the homeland.

Then there are the newer immigrants who have been here
for one maybe two generations or immigrated here who
still think about and want to help Greece in any way
possible.

Assimilation and Acculturation

There are very few stereotypes that persist for Greeks.

Many of their traditions and superstitions are upheld by

them still today.

The Evil Eye concept is still very present in Greek

communities today.

Sure when they came they have had to learn our language
and adapt to certain customs, but they have still been
free to follow their own religion and uphold their own
beliefs.

Whats the Best Way for Them to Learn?

Studies show that Greek American students prefer to work

collaboratively with one another.

Greek Americans are very family driven and group driven

so they learn better when they are in group work
environments.

Also just like with most ethnicities they love when you
take an interest in them and want to learn about them
and what they like to do.

What to Know About Teaching Greeks

Something you absolutely have to know is that Greeks take

their learning very seriously and have excellent rate for
educational success.

Greek-Americans are two times more likely to succeed in

school than an average American.

You should plan on them succeeding and try to help them

succeed as much as possible, just like any student because
typically want to succeed more than other students might.

Works Cited.

"Greek Americans." Greek Americans. N.p., n.d. Web. 10

Dec. 2015.

"Greek Immigrants." Immigration to the United States.

N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2015.

"Modern Greek Studies Association." :: Resource Portal.

N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2015.

"Traditions in Greece: Festivities and Superstitions Greeka.com." Greeka. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2015.