Why are so many Americans (not to judge, but mostly from the South/Midwest) feel so threatened?

Question

Not by illegal immigrants, but by Spanish people in general?

I was born here, yet I still call myself aAgentinean and French. Why? Its because its still a big part of my life! I'm trilingual because of this, it affects the foods i eat, the music i like, everything!

Yeah I'm still American but i still have pride in my family history! Why is that so wrong?

I though America was supposed to be a multicultural country, one that prides itself on the blending of different types of people.

lakay... i strongly agree with that.

united... your sick you know that? I AM AN AMERICAN, AND I NEVER SAID I LOVED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.

stop trying to hide your racism.

Homer... are you saying that if a person is not American then they have nothing to be proud of about their heritage?

I've been to both Argentina and France both times and I feel there is a lot to be proud of about those countries and cultures.

Answer 1

Because it's easier for most people to fear what's different than to actually take the time to learn and think about those differences.

Answer 2

I dont believe that they feel threatened by "Spanish" speaking people in general. Most people I know living in the border states are middle aged and own their homes, they have payed taxes for years and years, They are not comfortable with the fact that the money they pay into the system is being taken out at an alarming rate by a single ethnic group which actually has no right or claim to that money. Thats the rub in a nutshell.

Answer 3

I believe I owe you an honest answer to an honest question.
To begin with, my only previous contact with you was an answer to your Neil Young question.(BTW, I can do a killer "Sugar Mountain" impression, and I went as Neil Young for Halloween in 1980.)
The company I work for is owned and run by a Cuban emigre who arrived in the USA the same year I was born(1961). He's a tough guy, but he's fair. We've got Hispanics, Asians, Blacks, Whites, you name it, at work.
My neighborhood is a place where old white people die off and their houses are bought by Hispanic families with school-age kids. No problem. They're good folks . However, the swath of land behind our houses is a now a run-down apartment complex overrun by meth-dealing illegals who blare their music and have loud fights 24/7.

Answer 4

Good for you that you keep your traditions. That's what being American is all about, celebrating all our cultures and mixing them to make a uniquely American blend.

I'm from the South. I don't think there has been much feelings one way or another about Hispanics or Latinos here because there really weren't very many Hispanics or Latinos. There are more now and so maybe people are beginning to feel threatened. I don't know. I haven't seen that.

I know from experience that when there are large numbers of a minority in any area, some parts of the majority feel threatened and become very ugly about it. I knew a woman from the Dakotas who was lamenting the treatment of Mexicans in Texas. I agreed with her and said that unfortunately, that was the way Blacks were treated where I was from. She said, these people need to come to where I live and deal with the Indians, then they'll appreciate these Mexicans. She went on to list a whole bunch of reasons why it is okay to hate Indians (Native Americans). At that point, things clicked in my head and on the one hand I found it very sad while on the other, I found it very hopeful. Sadly, it seems to be human nature to react that way. Happily, that means we can educate people to avoid this trap.

Meanwhile, my child, who will be Black because her father is African, will have to deal with prejudice. One way I plan to combat that is to make sure she is proud of who she is - traditional, White, Southern American from a French heritage, and West African with all that includes, which is a LOT!

Answer 5

But, I'll bet you don't go around waving the Argentinian and French flags do you? That's what upsets so many people that plus the fact they refuse to learn to speak English and expect you to learn Spanish, or their corrupted version of it. I'm Scottish and English, but above all I'm an American since I live here. You won't find me flying a Scottish flag or British Union Jack - I don't live there - I live here. I'm proud of my background as well, but since I live here, I'm an American - not a Scotsman or Englishman - that's my heritage.

Answer 6

Look for sympathy somewhere else. This is a multicultural country, however it is only those from the Latin American countries who do not want to adapt. No one is saying forget your heritage; but you do not see the Germans, Chinese, Koreans, Russians or any others demanding documents or signs be printed in a foreign language. These other immigrants have adapted, learned to speak English and maintain their pride and cultures.

Answer 7

I don't think you have the right to call yourself an American considering the fact that you seem to love these illegal law breakers.

I personally don't have a problem OR FEEL THREATENED with anyone of a different nationality as long as they're here legally, respect the law of the land, and speak fluent English.

I DO have a problem with people who come here illegally, disregard our nation's laws and refuse to learn English. Why would some of us feel threatened by that? Hhmm.. Well this is America and it is blatantly obvious that those who are coming here from south of the Rio Grande have a hidden agenda and pay no respect to this country or its citizens.

Answer 8

What do you have to be proud of ? The people there are still oppressed. They are leaving by the millions. Why don't you go back for a year come back and re-post this question and tell us what you have to be proud of..................You say that here but go live there and you'd will wish you we're here. You people just need to get over Latin American and start being Americans.

Answer 9

I think that the feeling is about misplacing and changing the culture that they already have. Seeing more people expanding and speaking other languages may enrich culture, but also may help to confuse and in many other ways create fear of loss of cultural identity.

Answer 10

We are being threatened and hurt by illegal immigration. What I don't understand is why so many people like to translate that into fear and hatred of hispanics. If they are the majority of illegals what is wrong with pointing that out? You wouldn't believe the number of anti-illegals that have beloved family members who are hispanic.Anti-illegal does not mean racist.

Believe what you will. My children, nieces, nephews, and cousins know better. And I am all for LEGAL immigration.

Answer 11

People are just afraid of change, and of Latinos taking over. But there are some low-class illegals giving all Latinos a bad name....but you can't judge a whole group of people with what a few illegals are doing