Comedian Bill Maher asserted on his HBO program 'Real Time' that immigrants seeking the "American Dream" must also embrace the nation's "liberal values." Maher, who hosted his show on August 14, argued that while assimilation is generally desired, a shift has occurred where some immigrants prioritize a "melting pot" concept that he believes is insufficient.
"If you want the American Dream, you have to take the American values," Maher stated during his "New Rule" segment. He clarified that this does not necessitate abandoning one's cultural heritage. Immigrants are encouraged to maintain their traditions, speak their languages at home, and celebrate their holidays. However, Maher drew a line at fundamental Western ideals.
Maher posed a question to his audience: "Do you like Western civilization? Because that’s what we are. And that’s not negotiable." He specifically highlighted LGBTQ+ rights as a non-negotiable value, referencing a Democratic congressional candidate, Melissa Chaudhry, who indicated that support for these rights was not universally shared by Muslims. Maher questioned whether progressive politics was willing to compromise on gay rights to accommodate such discomfort.
He also cited political activist Linda Sarsour, who he quoted as saying, "Our number one… priority is… our community. It is not to assimilate." Maher responded to this by stating, "that’s not really how immigration works."
To illustrate his point, Maher used a hypothetical scenario involving moving to Japan and attempting to change local customs. He listed practices such as honor killings, restrictions on women's public appearances, polygamy, and female genital mutilation as incompatible with American values. He emphasized that these are not "white values" but rather "liberal values" that have been historically defended.
Maher extended his argument to include Christian nationalists, stating that principles such as democracy over theocracy, free speech, and equal rights for women and the LGBTQ+ community are foundational to America. He preemptively addressed potential criticism of Islamophobia, asserting that his concerns are about the potential replacement of liberal values with illiberal ones, irrespective of race or ethnicity.
'Real Time With Bill Maher' airs Fridays at 10:00 p.m. ET on HBO.