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Understanding
Human Differences
Multicultural Education for a Diverse America
2nd Edition
Kent L. Koppelman
with
R. Lee Goodhart
Section 2
Chapter 4
Immigration & Oppression:
The Paradox of Nativism
In a Nation of Immigrants
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008
Important Terms
Assimilation:
• 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
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008
Cultural Racism
The 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
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008
Important Terms
Xenophobia:
• 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
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008
Causes of Xenophobia and
Nativism in the United States
Nativism as anti-Catholicism
Response to increased number
of Catholic immigrants:
1820 = 200,000 Catholics
in the U.S.
1850 = More than 2,000,000
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008
Causes of Xenophobia and
Nativism in the United States
Nativism as anti-radicalism
Immigrants actively
engage in forming
labor unions to get
better wages
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008
How successful were
the NATIVISTS in
their political
activities
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008
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
SLAVERY,
not immigration,
became the
dominant issue
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008
What new
development affected
XENOPHOBIC
attitudes in the
United States
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008
• 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
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008
What major change in
IMMIGRATION LAW was
enacted in 1965
Racial Quotas were ELIMINATED
(Since 1965 80% of immigrants
have been people of color)
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008
How have changes in
U.S. immigration laws
affected NATIVIST
attitudes and actions
California Proposition 187
denied basic services to
suspected illegal aliens
It was declared
UNCONSTITUTIONAL
by the courts
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008
How is the “English Only”
movement an example of
XENOPHOBIC
behavior
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008
• Less than 6% of Americans
speak NO English
• Movement funded by groups
like the Pioneer Fund
– history of xenophobic
and racist activities
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008
• 40 million Latinos in the U.S.
• 1 of 6 are undocumented
workers
• Latinos represent 12% of the
work force
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008
What American
NATIVIST attitudes
exist today
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008
• 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
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008
How do immigrants
contribute to the
American economy
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008
• $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
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008
What myths about
immigrants are widely
believed by
Americans
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008
Myth:
“Immigrants arrive ignorant
with little education or money
and go on welfare.”
Reality:
20-25% of immigrants have
college degrees
The number on welfare is
similar to the percentage of
non-immigrants on welfare
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008
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
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008
Myth:
“The U.S. takes more immigrants
than other countries.”
Reality:
Most immigrants are refugees
The U.S. accepts less than 1% of
refugees – far less than other
countries
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008
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”
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008
Myth:
“Immigrants are taking away
jobs from Americans.”
Reality:
Studies show that immigrants
create jobs wherever they
settle
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008