Strangers In The Land, By John Hingham

In his book, Not Like Us: Immigrants and Minorities in America, 1890-1924, Roger Daniels explores the true history of American nativism in a time period where immigrants entered the country in greater numbers than ever before, or since. Instead of focusing on politics or economic growth at the turn of the twentieth century, Daniels instead discusses the social context of the time and the treatment of immigrants and minorities. Born in New York City and educated at both the University of Houston and UCLA, Daniels holds a Ph.D. in History, is the Charles Phelps Taft Professor at the University of Cincinnati, and has written several books on the matters of race and ethnicity.

Segmented assimilation combines multiple elements and because of this is able to provide a different perspective. Zhou discusses how this theory recognized the fusion of immigrants in America but acknowledges that the complete assimilation of becoming American is not always beneficial (999). Giving the diverseness of America to retain what culture and values one was raised on can benefit the migrant in various ways. Especially giving the many cultural organizations established to assist immigrants. I enjoyed the article and agreed with a majority of it. Zhou understands the benefits and consequences of maintaining and losing any cultural values you migrated with. Her perspective on Gordon’s theories were clarifying in some sense. However, I believe the assimilation process for second generation is a difficult thing to narrow down. Zhou’s theory that where an immigrant is placed in system describes success and assimilation. This perspective is new and frighteningly eye opening. Where you are “placed’ in system would have dramatic effects on one’s assimilation and ability to

Benjamin Franklin once said “In short, unless the stream of their importation could be turned...they will soon so outnumber us, that all the advantages we have, will, in my opinion, be not able to preserve our language, and even our government will become more precarious.” Written in a letter in 1750 by our very own Founding Father Benjamin Franklin in regards to the high volume of migrating Germans into the colony of Pennsylvania. To many readers they could easily expect these words from nativist, but hearing it from one of the most influential people in history it conveys a lot about the shaping of the United States and where its roots of nativism started. Nativism is defined as 'a policy favoring native inhabitants as opposed to immigrants'.

Immigration through out the late 1800’s and early 1900’s created nativism throughout the United States. Millions of immigrants flocked to the United States trying to find a better way of life to be able to support their families. Industrialization in the United States provided a labor source for the immigrants. Native born Americans believed immigrants were a “threat to the American way of life” (ATF chapter 11) Social and economic fault lines developed between natives and immigrants, through out the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, going unnoticed until the late 1920’s when the Sacco and Vanzetti case brought awareness of issue to much of the United States.

The United States of America is a country with a growing population. The population has always been growing, ever since the welcoming of new comers to the United States. Some people see these immigrants as beneficial to the American people and some see them as a threat to the Americans. Respectively, give good reasons, and some do not.To begin, I will present to you two written pieces. The first one will be by former president Bill Clinton, in how immigration benefits America. This writing piece begins with an introduction to the issue, diversity and immigration. Clinton addresses the American people by claiming, “If both citizens and immigrants do their part[s], [America] will grow even stronger in the new global information economy”. Clinton then gives some major reasons to his claim. The first one is in how the cooperation of citizens is necessary in order to be united with the immigrants and be strong. The second point Clinton wants to show how immigrants are good for America, by suggesting that they energize the American culture and renewing American values. Clinton then gives evidence in how this is true by introducing the Gibson family and counter augmenting the fact that immigrants take more than they give. Clinton then comes to another point by suggesting that union is only possible if the American citizens share the nation. Clinton then continues to show what some responsibilities of the American citizens are by reminding them of the Declaration of independence

One of the largest challenges Americans are facing today is coming to an agreement on the issue of immigration. Based on readings from Ruane and Cerulo and Fadiman, evidence of tensions between Americans and immigrant groups has spanned generations, affecting the way our culture perceives and reacts to “the Other,”1(167) cultures outside of our Western thought that we fail to understand due to continuous preconception and unrecognized self-entitlement as the ‘in-group.’ This segregation only continues the relentless cycle of economic and social barriers between an ‘us’ and a ‘them.’ The grand conflict between the Hmong versus the medical staffs in The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down highlight the ethnocentrism that incurs blind

In the article “Immigration Benefits America,” Bill Clinton; the forty second president of the United States claimed many revelations regarding immigrant’s impact in America. For several reasons, the U.S. strengthens the bonds of the community when allocating the allowance of diverse and varying cultures. Many of these immigrants feel comfortable while living in the United States. He asserted that Immigrants and Americans should blend their cultures and traditions to expand the country. As Americans, they should respect immigrants and in return immigrant should follow suit. On the other hand, in the article “Immigration Threatens American Culture,” Lawrence Auster, an American racialist conservative essayist who wrote on immigration and multiculturalism claimed that immigrants are destroying America and they are harming the economy. Auster believes that these problems are occurring because of the American belief system. The American belief system implies concepts of individualism and equality. Clinton’s argues a rather convincing argument throughout his writings, where prejudices and biases are not provided. On the other hand, Auster’s argument was very judgmental and oppressing in many ways.

Additionally, an excellent example of contemporary nativism in America is the Proposition 187 of 1994 in California (Aron, 2006). Accordingly, the Act was to undocumented immigrants from social benefits including education, healthcare, and other essential services. The aim of the proposition was to recriminalize the foreign population in addition to heightening the cost of their visibility. Notably, that implied that the Act was to prevent foreigners from participating in politics in addition to preventing them from becoming significant Democratic, labor, and community

After the American Civil War, immigration has played a critical role that was seen as a problematical threat on religious, cultural, economic, and political aspects. Due to immigration from Europe, the United States population increased exceptionally in which has allowed a diverse view or perspective in Nativism and Racism. Both of these ideologies have various differences with definite degrees being successful during the elements of American history. Elements contained by immigrant groups or policies such as the “Jim Crow Laws” or “Ku Klux Klan” have significantly reformed patterns within America’s settlements.

A Land More Kind than Home by Wiley Cash definitely fits the category of “grit lit.” It is a novel about the Hall’s, a family who is wracked with grief, anxiety, and guilt after the ‘mysterious’ death of one of their sons, Christopher or Stump. The story encompasses more than just the story of the family though as it is told from the perspective of Adelaide Lyle, an old wise woman from the town, Jess Hall the youngest son of the family, and Clem Barefield, the sheriff of Marshall who also had heartache of his own that is intertwined with this families story in more ways than one. The novel incorporates most if not all of the features that is “grit lit” including: an element of crime, a focus on the bleakness of life, lyrical language, and a central character who wishes to escape their environment or get peace inside it.

In his essay “The Country Just over the Fence,” Paul Theroux describes his trip to Nogales, Mexico. He begins his essay by illustrating the physical appearance of the wall separating Nogales, Arizona and Nogales, Mexico. He calls it “an unintentional masterpiece”. Theroux feels the wall is somewhat informal. He discovers that crossing the border into Mexico is not too difficult itself. He marvels over the appearance of the wall and also the underlying call to action it places on a person, “Do you go through, or stay home?” Theroux decided he needed to see for himself. After deciding to cross the border, he met many different people. They told him about the celebrations that used to be held between the two neighboring towns which are now divided by the wall. Theroux also met people who had attempted to cross the border illegally into America only to get sent back to Mexico. On his adventure, Theroux also learned about all the medical tourists who travel to the country for cheaper treatments, specifically dentistry. I am interested in discussing Theroux’s presentation of the his decision to cross the border, the people he met, and the medical tourism Nogales, Mexico draws in.

In the United States, the cliché of a nation of immigrants is often invoked. Indeed, very few Americans can trace their ancestry to what is now the United States, and the origins of its immigrants have changed many times in American history. Despite the identity of an immigrant nation, changes in the origins of immigrants have often been met with resistance. What began with white, western European settlers fleeing religious persecution morphed into a multicultural nation as immigrants from countries across the globe came to the U.S. in increasing numbers. Like the colonial immigrants before them, these new immigrants sailed to the Americas to gain freedom, flee poverty and

Strangers in the Land of Paradise by Lillian S. Williams explores the settlement of African Americans in Buffalo in the time of the Great Migration. In this book, Williams discusses the process in which migrants from the South made their own black communities in Buffalo while bringing their beliefs and traditions with them, and having those beliefs evolve over time in a new setting. Her work sheds light on the experiences of blacks in Buffalo during a time where many changes were occurring; the Civil War had just ended and the Industrial Revolution was underway. She also speaks on how Buffalo was unique in that it became the final point for those escaping the racism and violence in the South, since it was the last point before crossing into Canada. In her own words, “the book examines the growth and development of Buffalo, the movement of European immigrants and African American migrants into the city, and their ability to secure an economic foothold. It tests the extent to which family and friendship networks for blacks were a significant force in their migration and acculturation. It also describes the establishment of institutions that African Americans created to shape their modern, urban community" (p. xiv).

Along with its economic classes, American is known for its freedom, its liberty, and the melting pot of ethnicity. This ethnic diversity comes form the immigrant population in the country. However this perfect country is a major falsehood. These untrue ideals of harmony, freedom, success, and equality are deceptive and do not show the struggles that immigrants face when coming to this class dominated country. The immigrants of today do not come from just Europe, but overwhelmingly from Asia and Latin America. “They are driving a demographic shift so rapid that within the lifetimes of today 's teenagers, no one ethnic group – including whites of European descent – will comprise a majority of the nation 's population’ (Colombo, Cullen, Lisle). These immigrants challenge the social myth that everyone has an equal chance in life. They

Many immigrants come to the United States in pursuit of opportunity, however they struggle to adopt the dominant culture’s language, which limits the job opportunities available to them. Historically, immigrants assimilated by having to learn dominant language, but this challenge led them to create ethnic enclaves that make them feel more welcomed. Many enclaves in the United States, for example the Latino population in San Francisco’s Mission District, give a sense of comfort and nostalgia of home because people from that community have similarities to their homeland. Newcomers do not need to step out of their enclave because they have all the support they need in their communities. Although many immigrants come to the United States in hope of opportunity, they are limited to achieving and moving forward because of their ethnic enclaves. Because these enclaves do not allow them to expand into different cultures, they are limited both socially and economically.