Hostility Towards American Immigrants

Hostility Towards American Immigrants
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Hostility towards American immigrants
The process of nation-building has never been an easy one; often having twists and turns along the way, with some fine-tuning too. America has been commonly known as a nation of immigrants due to its rich history based on the works of immigrants. It is ironic then, that the same immigrants who built the nation are the ones who have experienced racial discrimination and persecution over the years. The story of immigration in America is typically portrayed as a positive narrative of diverse cultures blending to form a new society. However, this view is oversimplified, as immigrants have faced hatred and prejudice throughout history. There has been a consistent and intentional fear as well as apathy against immigrants within American society, which has resulted in a lot of social issues in the country. The issue's complexity lies in the contributing factors of this hostility towards immigrants. Numerous factors have contributed to immigrants' hostility in the United States, from economic competition to cultural differences.
One of the main reasons for hostility towards immigrants is economic (Class Resource: Powerpoint). The economy is hinged upon a number of factors including job availability and the wages therein. In economic hardship, immigrants are often seen competing for jobs and resources, leading to resentment from American-born workers who feel their jobs are being taken away (Cobbs, 2012). During the mid-19th century, immigrants were brought to work in factories and mines as the country rapidly industrialized (Class Resource: Power point). However, this influx of cheap labor led to further resentment from American-born workers. Issues such as minimum wage became a problem, as the natives believed that immigrants took way less than what was supposed to be received as minimum wage.
The fear of cultural change is another factor that contributes to hostility toward immigrants (Class Resource: Power point). It is human to fight against anything that tries to alter the general way of life in a given society. Many Americans have historically been wary of immigrants from vastly different cultures (Cobbs, 2012). This fear is often fueled by stereotypes and prejudice, leading to discrimination against immigrant groups (Cobbs, 2012). For example, Chinese immigrants in the 19th century were often targeted for discrimination and violence because they were seen as culturally and racially different from white Americans (Class Resource: PowerPoint).
Religion has also influenced the hostility towards immigrants throughout American history (Class Resource: PowerPoint). In the 19th and early 20th centuries, many Americans were deeply suspicious of Catholic immigrants, particularly those from Ireland (Cobbs, 2012). These immigrants were seen as potential threats to American democracy and values because of their loyalty to the Pope and the Catholic Church, which was seen as a foreign power (Class Resource: Power point). This led to anti-Catholic sentiment and discrimination against Catholics in the United States.
One could argue that the hostility towards im...