Journal #9: The Contemporary Connection

The contemporary connection I see between today and the years 1865-1914 is the issue of immigration. Today we have a great deal of a political problem with illegal aliens in this country and the economic problem that arises when wages being made in the US are no longer circulated in the US, they are converted and sent to Mexico and the US looses circulation. But the main connection to the text is that way immigrants were treated coming into America, as they are now. I can only imagine the reactions of Europeans coming to America for freedom and seeing the Statue of Liberty and the symbolism that is associated with her. They hoped for acceptance that they weren’t getting back in their home countries, yet the symbolism of Lady Liberty didn’t match the actions of the American people. “Immigrants from southern and eastern Europe, as well as from Ireland, also generated anxiety and hostility among many native-born American, who viewed the newcomers, most of whom were Catholics or Jews, as threats to Protestant America” (pg. 18). It’s interesting to see that yes, as America has grown to become a true melting pot, we still have stereotypes of those that are native to this country, primarily Mexicans. I think Mexicans who come to America, legally, are stereotyped as illegals most of the time and that they can’t speak English. What is so sad is that they want to be here because they want a better life than they were experiencing previously. Instead of demeaning them as just cheap labor, or uneducated we should be applauding them for following the American dream of setting their standards of living high and setting sail on an adventure to a new life. Immigrants are the bravest people on this earth because who honestly would place themselves in an uncomfortable position to be ridiculed and discriminated against? Immigrants come to this country because they are brave enough to know they can have a better way of living if they work hard and if we open our doors to them for opportunity. I believe though, that one needs to have taken the measures to legally be here. To be legally here puts oneself on the even playing ground of succeeding instead of by passing that one step to think you can rise to the top without the foundation. This passage was very interesting to read because of the reactions immigrants had when coming to America as a developing nation. America has changed, in my opinion on welcoming immigrants, but I do believe on an individual, personal level we should all have patience and encouragement for those wishing to succeed in a better life here.