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UnderstandingHuman Differences
Multicultural Education for a Diverse America2nd Edition
Section 2Chapter 4
Kent L. Koppelmanwith
R. Lee Goodhart
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Immigration & Oppression:The Paradox of NativismIn a Nation of Immigrants
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Important TermsAssimilation: • Immigrants adopt cultural traits from
their host country• Absorbed into society
Americanization:• Schools indoctrinate immigrant
children to abandon their heritage• Conform to American ways
Anti-semitism:• Having prejudices and/or stereotypes
for or discriminating against Jews
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Cultural RacismThe practice of recognizing activities and contributions of one racial group in preference to others within a multiracial society
FOR EXAMPLE:
Educators may present an ETHNOCENTRIC view of U.S. history and culture to racially diverse students
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Important TermsXenophobia:• Fear of or prejudice against people
immigrating from other nations
Nativism:• Ideology among native inhabitants
opposed to immigrants• Certain immigrants are perceived as
threatening or dangerous
Native American Party:• Nativist group who wanted eligibility
for citizenship increased from 5 years to 21 years
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Causes of Xenophobia and Nativism in the United
StatesNativism as anti-Catholicism
Response to increased number of Catholic immigrants:
1820 = 200,000 Catholics
in the U.S. 1850 = More than 2,000,000
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Causes of Xenophobia and Nativism in the United
States
Nativism as anti-radicalism
Immigrants actively engage in forming labor unions to get better wages
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How successful were the NATIVISTS in their political activities
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Know Nothing Party candidates represented
• almost HALF of the House of Representatives
• 8 of 62 in the Senate• 9 State Governors
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Why did NATIVISISM fail to become a dominant movement in the United States
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SLAVERY, not immigration, became the dominant issue
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What new development affected XENOPHOBIC attitudes in the United States
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• Race theories became popular –the race of immigrants became a concern
• Jews were identified as a race –Anti-semitism against immigrant Jews
• The 1924 immigration law restricted immigration primarily to white groups
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What major change in IMMIGRATION LAW was enacted in 1965
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Racial Quotas were ELIMINATED(Since 1965 80% of immigrants have been people of color)
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How have changes in U.S. immigration laws affected NATIVIST attitudes and actions
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California Proposition 187 denied basic services to suspected illegal aliens
It was declared UNCONSTITUTIONAL
by the courts
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How is the “English Only” movement an example of XENOPHOBIC
behavior
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• Less than 6% of Americans speak NO English
• Movement funded by groups like the Pioneer Fund –history of xenophobic
and racist activities
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• 40 million Latinos in the U.S.
• 1 of 6 are undocumented workers
• Latinos represent 12% of the work force
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What American NATIVIST attitudes exist today
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• Much anti-immigrant sentiment is directed against Latinos– especially undocumented workers
(illegal immigrants)
• Claim that undocumented workers receive social services – Contradicted by a University of
California-Davis study
• Many Americans react negatively to bilingual signs and other Latino influences on the dominant culture
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How do immigrants contribute to the American economy
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• $10 Billion spent in U.S. annually by legal and illegal immigrants
• Latino entrepreneurs increased 30% in five years by 2003
• Businesses beginning to target Latino consumers
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What myths about immigrants are widely believed by Americans
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Myth:“Immigrants arrive ignorant
with little education or money and go on welfare.”
Reality:20-25% of immigrants have
college degreesThe number on welfare is
similar to the percentage of non-immigrants on welfare
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Myth:“Past and present immigrants
have wanted to cling to their culture and refuse to assimilate”
Reality:New immigrants want to
preserve elements of their culture, but show a strong desire to become American
Backlogs of applications for citizenship have delayed their requests by years
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Myth:“The U.S. takes more
immigrants than other countries.”
Reality:Most immigrants are
refugeesThe U.S. accepts less than
1% of refugees – far less than other countries
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Myth:“Too many illegal immigrants
are getting into the U.S.
Reality:Illegal immigrants represent
only 13% of the immigrant population and 2% of the U.S. population
Many Europeans overstay their 90 day visas yet are not viewed as “illegal”
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Myth:“Immigrants are taking
away jobs from Americans.”
Reality:Studies show that
immigrants create jobs wherever they settle
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