Why do immigrants go through so much Prejudice in this country?

Question

I just have to ask that. I am a Nigerian and I come from an imagrant family. Even tho this is a nation built on immigration and this country is suppose to be the "Umbrella" of all cultures it really isnt. I'm gettin tired of hearing people say "Oh go back to Africa" , "Why are all the immigrants getting all the jobs?", " immigrants dont pay their taxes". I mean I pay as much taxes as any other american and recieve less benefits. So why is it that my being here is such a problem for so many people?

Answer 1

Tell you what. Tell me another country which is better at accommodating immigrants. Tell me fscking one? Tell me another country where you could fit in faster.

Screw it.

Do you know how many religions/races/origins we have in the US? Do you understand how we try to accommodate them?

Hell, we are not perfect. But give me the name of another country that does better and why.

You fit in here, you succeed. Don't matter where you came from, or your past.

Fit in, you got it made.

Name me another damned country where you can do that.

You are here, great. Oh, don't send me any spam e-maills about your great uncle that needs my bank account number to transfer all his money into to get it out of the country.

Frankly that crap pisses me off.

By the way, welcome to America. And actually, very happy you are here.

Carry on, I finished my rant.

Answer 2

I'm sorry that you have had a bad experience. What other countries have you been to, and what was your experience there? I know many immigrants who have had the opposite response: they have never been in a country as accepting of immigrants as the US. These immigrants comment that people here in Oklahoma ask questions like, "where is your family from originally?". To them this indicates that we are all immigrants in the US, only some of us have been here longer than others. I think sometimes people get confused between immigration and illegal immigration and are thus bitter. Although laws may need to be changed to be more fair to new immigrants, the laws should be followed. I think that society benefits when people play by the rules. The rules restrict but also protect. Again I hope that your future interactions with people in your city are more positive. Best of luck. :)

Answer 3

We ha ve long and time-honored tradition of tormenting each subsequent wave of immigrants to this country.

Look at how the Chines and Irish were treated. People seem to want to close the door of immigration once they are through it. They forget that they come from immigrants too.

It is also easier to blame outsiders, people who are not as familiar with the 'system' and anyone who can't defend themselves rather than admitting that our immigration policies are racist and wrong.

Also, since really fixing the situation requires an investment of thought, time, money and effort, no one will do it.

Immigration (legal) made this country great. We still need to work out some of the kinks. Also don't think that the vocal isolationist are necessarily the majority.

Finally we have to resolve the issue of illegal immigration. The problem is that it may never happen because it will take real effort and a long term commitment.

Answer 4

Your mixing prejudice with ignorance of people who don't know any better. And that goes both ways in this country. The politicians who have brought you people over here were and are total idiots not preparing legal immigrants for they're educational necessity before or after you came to the United States. Also those who were sponsored to come to the United States fail to accomplished the same thing. American citizens don't hate you they are ignorant to the fact that it takes time for you people to fit in with those who were born here. I now live in a building that has several Samolians living here and I see this everyday. Their children are not trained to show respect for others as we do like the simple closing of a door (they let the door slam behind them). This is just one example of what I am trying to point out to you.
Our cultures are mixed and it takes time to get acustomed to them. Children are children and must learn our countrys ways just like learning English. There too, if immigrants would try to speak English more frequently rather then using their native tongue languages as they do it would make things easier for everyone. We don't speak different languages we speak American which happens to be English. There are so many different things I could mention that make a difference and help legal immigrants but no one seems to care whether it be an American born person or a legal immigrant. I would personally appologize to you if I myself heard some one tell you to "Go back to Africa". That individual is an idiot and not respectful at all. Everyone in this country other then the American Indian came from an immigrant family at one time or another. So please don't feel that your not wanted.

Answer 5

You come from Nigeria. We are happy to have you here. There are stupid people in the United States, just as there are stupid people in Nigeria who oppress people. It isn't a phenomenon of the United States or even of Nigeria. It is just the thinking of stupid people.

There is room for everyone here.

The problem is that people - all people - have to go through a lot of changes. To complicate matters, the issues of border jumping from the south border with Mexico is so tense, that stupid people blame all refugees instead of taking responsibility by securing the borders.

You are a good example of how misunderstood the problem is.

You entered this country legally. You have a passport and a visa to be here. You register with Immigration every year and report where you work, where you go to school, and your parents do the same thing.

You were probably sponsored into this country by a nongovernmental organization like Lutheran Family Services, Catholic Charities, or some other organization.

The tensions that arise from people who come across the border from Latin America transfix our patiences as American citizens.

Stupid people cannot distinguish an African refugee from a Mexican runaway. That's the problem.

This will all work out. It will work out for the benefit of everyone.

Even the Irish suffered racism when they came to this country. I guess it is the way Americans are. They need to let the new kid on the block that it's their block.

Welcome to this grouchy, racist, and sometimes even unkind neighborhood.

In a couple of years you will be just like us.

Answer 6

I do not have a problem with you. If you are a LEGAL immigrant, Welcome. If you are illegal, go home and come back the legal way... then you will be welcomed in America... but the prejudice may still be there.

Unfortunately, there will always be prejudice.. And this prejudice is in many areas, not only with LEGAL immigrants. It affects the educated vs the uneducated, the rich vs the poor, handicapped people feel the pressure of prejudice everyday... and the list goes on! And this is everywhere...not only in America.

Why? I don't know, unless those that are prejudice against others have forgotten the Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

The world we live in now is a sad one.... most people put themselves first... and anything or anyone else is second, or not at all.

I wish you the best.

Answer 7

Yes. the problem is with ILLEGAL immigrants. THe United States is not an UMBRELLA of all cultures. AN umbrella is used as protection, such as from rain, or as the insurance people say, a comprehensive policy to protet a person from various misfortunes.THe United States is a MELTING POT of cultures. That means that as people are added to the pot, they are supposed to mix together, and become part of the AMERICAN culture. We are all supposed to blend together.
Either try to blend in with the rest of us or get the hell out.
Just to let you know, I was born here, and receive no benifits from my government. Just because you pay taxes, does not mean you are automatically entitled to food stams, welfare, wic, hud homes, or any other programs. Those programs are designed with the less (fortunate ? ) in mind. If you came here expecting a handout, you ain't going to get it. If you want a handout go back to your third world country, and wait for a rice drop. Why not go out and get a job, go to college, get abetter job, and quit complaining.

Answer 8

Prejudice exists throughout the world. America, however, is the Superpower of the World, so it's only natural that bitterness felt by immigrants will set in. And this bitterness is understandable. After all, Americans are spoiled brats who only seek to find the easiest(and cheapest)way to make a quick buck. (Why do you think so many tee's and toys are made in China?) I'm sorry for the struggle you're going through, but this is how it is in this country. I'm black too, and I'm occasionally faced with prejudice people. Women are faced with it as well. So are: Latinos, Asians, gays,etc. America is kind of like that movie "Sphere"; it brings out everyone's evil desires---the desire to make a whole lot of $$$. And when Americans feel threatened by an outsider, then they lash out.

Aria

*The illnovelist*

Answer 9

Who's telling you to go back to Africa? If you're contributing to the society, I can't imagine how someone could say that to you. Hey, being female is still not all it's cracked up to be. There are boneheads in every society. Would someone look up the word ILLEGAL or UNDOCUMENTED in the dictionary please, not the word IMMIGRANT! I work in services where a certain ethnic group is not asked about their legal status in this country. If you've ever had your Social Security number stolen, or someone got a scholarship or even a professional job you should have had a shot at, then you might understand the anger here. Come to the Southwest. Then you'll understand.

Answer 10

Ok, it's not an immigrant problem. People have prejudices over anything. Everyone has people giving them problems. If you look different, act different, sound different, you may be overweight, underweight, too tall, or too short. People are ignorant, rude, and don't care if they hurt others. I'm sorry if you have problems with some, but you have to remember, it's not all. In fact, most people are accepting of others, it's just the few that scream louder because they like attention that makes all look bad. Welcome to the U.S.A. and good luck in whatever you do. :-)

And to "prettymona", I am white and I don't hate blacks as you called them...and NO I don't hate Mexicans either! Especially since I have a sister-in-law, that I dearly love, that is Mexican. This is where hatred begins. Everyone thinks that if one person is one way, that must mean their whole race is the same way. Phew...sorry to all others that read this..just had to get that off my chest.

Answer 11

Americans forget that the nation of the United States (excludes the Indians, because I don't t hink they want to be part of the U.S. really, can't blame them), was found by immigrants. They don't see that their "awesomeness" comes from the fact that they have so much land, resources; imagine the attitude of a USA that's landlocked by other countries, and can't expand? It helps them stay in their countries and not expand their horizons towards other cultures. Americans also see the lazy decadence of addictive pop culture and fast food spreading into other countries as "Americanization"... really, it is just decadence, and decadence addicts.
You being Nigerian I think is awesome; you know other parts of the world unlike other Americans, you know another culture unlike other Americans, so obviously you think different. Working hard makes you a good person, and not every American looks down on you. Not every American is xenophobic and arrogant, but alas, lots are.