In class on Monday, we discussed some of the similarities between debates about immigration in the late nineteenth century and today. As we discuss the work of Abraham Cahan, Henry James, and Jane Addams, focus on the different perspectives each author brings to the immigration discourse of their own time. What entryway into the ghetto does Cahan provide us? From what subjective position does James write? What ideas about the "alien" and "foreignness" do we get from these writers? Most importantly: What rhetoric surrounding immigration persists to this day?
A little weekend blogging if you will... The ideas of immigration today have changed so much since 19th century. America was/is viewed as the land of opportunity. In some people's perspective, our land has become too crowded and we need to "kick out" the illegal "aliens". I think if other countries made some changes to their system their citizens would not be flocking to America to enjoy the freedoms we have and then our country wouldn't have to "kick out" people. But I am so glad that in America you can enjoy so many different cultures in one place.
ReplyDeleteAs stated above, America was and is continued to be looked upon as the land of opportunity. But, just as in the past, people who are natural inhabitants of the U.S. are threatened by foreigners taking jobs that are usually exlusively available to them and given to people who are willing to work cheaper. The same stands true with how immigrants live in the United States. In the past they were ushered into ghettos and crowded city areas. Today, people are still crowded in certain divides in a city such as Little Italy or Little China or whatever. People are still grouped together with people who speak their language and share the same culture.
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