NPR Explores German Immigration in Wisconsin

The latest installment of National Public Radio’s immigration series comes to Hustisford (yes, Hustisford), where reporter Jennifer Ludden tells us how the German immigrants there were reluctant to give up their native language.

It’s an excellent listen, and the story gives us some needed perspective on the current wave of Spanish-speaking immigrants in Milwaukee. I don’t want to preach, but assimilation takes time. Some families in Hustisford spent decades—generations even—speaking German. And now, people complain that newly arrived immigrants aren’t converting to English fast enough, so they must not have any desire to become American. This is patently false—learning a new language does not correlate with a family’s desire to lead a safer and more fulfilling life. It never has.

You can find NPR’s piece here. You can also listen to the broadcast and view a photo gallery of Hustisford.

Bethany Lutheran Church in Hustisford was once a hub for German cultural activities. (Photo: National Public Radio)