Is anti-immigrationism related to bigotry?

Question

A lot of people that are livid about immigration seem to be that way because of the ethnicity of our current immigrants. I grew up near the border, it was 85% hispanic. I ate a lot of Mexican food, dated a lot of hispanic girls, and learned Spanish. I don't have a problem with signs being in Spanish or anything. Where I live now, there is a town that was a German immigrant town. They still have signs in German, flout the German culture, and some people still speak German there... but no one gets angry about that.

It seems that a lot of people are uncomfortable with Latino culture, when it really isn't all that different from ours. At least they're Christians, and we don't have to deal with the religious strife that the UK and France deal with their immigrants.

Maybe if you hate to hear "Para Español, marque dos" on the phone, you should take the time to learn a second language. It's not hard. Americans are some of the few people in the world that only speak 1 language

Ganjaman, your statements illustrate exactly what I'm talking about. You're implying that illegal immigrants are all gang members and dependant upon social services. That's not the case.

Micky, the German town is New Braunfels, TX. It's really quite nice. It's become a pricey suburb of San Antonio now.

Answer 1

Ganjaman is not necessarily illustrating that all illegal immigrants are gang members or dependent on social services. What he is stating is something you see everyday out in the streets. Granted there maybe hard working immigrants out there but infortunately those aren't the ones we see on the news. We see the ones that are doing wrong. When you go down to the social services office you don't see very many immigrants speaking english you see them speaking spanish or whatever their language.

Every thing that he stated is sad and does hold some resentment but unless you live with your head in the sand is true. These things do happen and when it does happen it is what is reported on the news and on tv.

And before you say anything about me I am Puerto Rican and speak 3 languages. It is not a matter of being uncomfortable with the Latino culture its more being uncomfortable with the fact that our laws are being bent to accomodate people who are taking advantage of this country when people who live here legally and probably for all their lives are suffering for it.

Answer 2

I'm not naive enough to think there aren't a few people who are anti-immigration because of ethnicity, but for the vast majority it is not anti-immigration...it's anti-illegal immigration and it has nothing to do with ethnicity. I don't know why people can't see the difference. How prevalent is illegal German immigrants in your town? I suspect it's not a big problem.

There are two major issues related to the powerful anti-illegal immigration feelings. Most of the illegals are low-income people who will NEVER be able to earn enough here to balance the drain they will bring to our welfare, education, health care, and judicial system.

The other issue is that if so many illegals can make it through our porous border, so can people who want to do this country harm. Of course, terrorism is a big concern, but so are the criminal element that are coming, i.e, drugs, murderers, rapists, and others with violent intentions.

Answer 3

I am not a bigot, and I am trying to learn another language. The reason I get upset when I hear “para espanol…” is because this nation’s language is English. And if this great nation is a land of opportunity, then we should not only cater to the Hispanic community!
I have no problem with Hispanic people, or people learning Spanish or English. But you should also realize that there are a lot of Hispanic immigrants who REFUSE to learn English—what do you say to that?
In Mexico they teach their students English, just like here in the US they teach Spanish, but in Mexico, if you don’t speak Spanish they don’t even look at you. We are so accommodating here. Why?
There is nothing wrong with learning Spanish as a second language, but remember it is just that! They came to this country, it is time to assimilate!

Answer 4

Cannot remember the last time I saw instructions or heard them over the phone in German!!! LOL The problem is getting immigrants to accept their NEW country and LEARN THE LANGUAGE OF THE UNITED STATES WHICH IS ENGLISH!!!!!

It is nice to know 2 languages but who are you to suggest we do so? If someone choses to learn a second language maybe instead of Spanish they would prefer to learn Farsi, French, Arabic or Russian...or any other for that matter!

Answer 5

Maybe they should learn English! My father was an immigrant (from Italy). He came into this country legally, worked hard, served in the Army, and became a citizen. I hear the Hispanics talk about making lots of money and then going back home. Their only interest in America is to use it as a cash cow. But lets get to the heart of the matter, THEY ARE ILLEGAL!! Do we reward crime just because they are poor? I do not care where they came from, if they aren't here legally or to help improve America they can go back and ruin their own country.

Answer 6

No, most are not bigots (some are of course)

It is a little narcissistic to think that we do not like illegal immigration because of Hispanics. I am sure some racism exists but do you think some of it might be caused by overcrowding of schools, using government services that they are not entitled to, using emergency rooms as health coverage and causing long waits for others and in some cases shutting the ER down due to losses, healthcare premiums, and all the other expenses to the taxpayer.

Could it be that we have justified reasons having nothing to do with race?

Answer 7

I am anti-illegal and I HATE hearing things recorded in Spanish. That does NOT make me anti-immigration. It makes me anti- butt kissing! There are several other group as from all over the globe represented here BUT the only ones to get special treatment are Mexicans. What about having German or Slavic recordings as well? The only real problem I have with illegals is the fact that they act like they are above the law. I can't get away with what they do, why do they feel entitled to break our laws? And don't tell me it's because they are poor, I am poor and I have to obey the laws, I have been homeless and had to obey the laws, do you see a pattern here? Obey the law and no one will have anything to complain about!

Answer 8

I agree with your statement in respect to living along the border. People in border states typically are not bigots concerning the Mexican Population. Allot of people from up North are taking a stand against ILLEGAL immigration and their understanding of the issue is distorted because it hasn't effected them or is just beginning to effect them and it causes them to be fearful. We do need to get control of our borders and make it possible to control LEGAL immigration and guest workers better. The real problem for the border states is that it is taxing our education and welfare systems which is a fact that has nothing to do with bigotry.

P.S. For example, it is estimated that 15% of the students attending school in the state of Texas are of illegal status. It costs $7,500 per student per year to educate them. Is it a great opportunity for those kids? Absolutely. But, their parents are paying little or no taxes. The school taxes are going through the roof. I'm selling my dream home, that my wife and I have lived in for years, and is paid for, because we can't afford to retire and pay these taxes. (Over $15,000 per year, if your curious.)

Answer 9

it extremely is been to that end so by way of fact the time of Henry VIII. people have forgotten that Catholicism became outlawed in Britain till precise up till the previous due nineteenth century. Catholics have been discriminated against, killed and tortured with the help of the protestant corporation. clergymen had to cover in 'priest holes', monasteries have been demolished, Catholic land and belongings became stolen, spectacular shape and functional paintings became intentionally destroyed etc. etc. Protestant thugs from Oliver Cromwell onwards went on the violent rampage in eire, killing and looting etc. (no ask your self there has been unrest in that us of a ever by way of fact). The bigotry and discrimnation nonetheless exists in Britain's rules which proceed to limit the Monarch from ever transforming into or perhaps marrying a Catholic. And could you credit that the people who dedicated those crimes against humanity claimed to be Bible believing, God fearing Christians? in basic terms as their successors, the trendy-day bigots declare.

Answer 10

It has nothing to do with bigotry and everything to do with the way the immigrants act. The only immigrants who seem to not want to assimilate,act rude,racist and demand are the mexicants. I've never seen such behavior from European immigrants,they seem to truly want to be U.S. citizens.
As for language, I am Irish American,therefore the only languages I speak are English and Irish and I only speak Irish in my home with my family. I should not have to learn spanish to exist in a country that was founded on English and where that is the language we have all been speaking since. I will never learn spanish.

P.S.Can you tell me the name of the German town, I might want to move there.