If America is indeed a "nation of immigrants," why does it have such a history of native prejudice toward.....

Question

new immigrant groups.....?

Answer 1

Its not only in America. In every country around the world new immigrants are not welcomed, or welcomed with distrust, anger and fear. Read here
http://www.independent.org/pdf/tir/tir_04_3_vedder.pdf

Answer 2

This is not just an American phenomenon. Talk to people in any country that has experienced large scale immigration - Canada, Britain, Australia, France -just to name a few. Currently the French and Spanish are unhappy with large numbers of Britons moving to those countries, and the French are also unhappy with the deluge of Muslim immigrants from the Middle East. Germany allowed thousands of Turks into their country in the 70s and 80s

Throughout history, in which population migrations have always played a major role, the newest group to arrive is always unwelcome.

After a couple of generations, people settle in, and then another group moves in whose language or culture is different from and unsettling to those already there.

Eventually the newcomers adapt and adopt enough of the culture of their new land they become accepted.

Answer 3

Sad, isn't it? We are not alone, though. It seems to be a human thing to distrust the outsider, the different one. (Or maybe even, an animal thing -- the different one may be dangerous in several ways.) Mexico tries to close its southern border, too, even as we try to close ours.

We have a history of prejudice partly because we have always had large groups of immigrants. Ben Franklin worried about the Germans; 19th-Century Americans worried about the Irish.

I really think prejudice is the natural state of humankind -- just one of those bits of original sin that you have to work against.

We do, however, have a fairly easy road to citizenship, which is a point in our favor. There are many nations that make becoming a citizen difficult, if not impossible.

Answer 4

Hey123,

I love diversity and think that American is at least trying to maintain its melting pot and making attempts to keep everyone happy even if it is corrupted by prejudice and fueled by capitalism.

With that said, ,ost of us don't mind immigrants coming to the country, specifically if they come legally. Problem with the coming illegally, is that it screws up the social security system and illegal immigrants are getting jobs and benefits that are supposed to go to people that are here legally. How is this fair to legal immigrants? The US must control who enters the country, because if we don't we are leaving a gaping hole open for terrorists and will eventually not be able to fund many of the government funded benefits to legal citizens because people are here illegally and not paying taxes and not monetarily helping pull their own load. Myself, like many others, welcome diversity, but only when things are done legally which benefits everyone.

Answer 5

The earlier immigrants ,1800's and early 1900's, came here because they wanted to be Americans and become part of America. Today's immigrants come to America and complain about America and Americans and say they are going to take control and change things.

Answer 6

A lot of people forget that we are the melting pot of the world. We have the most diverse country and one of the most prejudice as well. Many people come here to better their lives but the people here don't necessarally like them coming.

Answer 7

Because its really the "nation of hypocrites":

who talk human rights, while running Guantanamo Bay,
who export "an inconvenient truth" while burning all the oil,
who preach "Democracy" until Hamas win an election,
who claim "all men are created equal - but won't vote for a black president (or even a white woman!)
who want justice for all but are 6th in the world for executions (after China, Iran, Pakistan, Iraq, & Sudan - in good company guys!).