Immigration and Discrimination- Start Here!

Today in the United States we tend to think about immigration as a current phenomenon, and that the USA is the only country in the world that complains of an illegal immigration problem.  Yet, as history reveals, this is simply not the case. Immigration has been a constant source of pride and resentment for Americans since before the formation of the country; and many Americans often forget that their ancestors were at one point in time immigrants to this country as well.
This blog highlights how immigration and discrimination often go hand in hand in both the United States and other countries in the world as well (in this specific case France). The reader can journey back in history to the influx of Chinese immigrants in the 19th century who worked on the railroad, and then to the Irish workers that came into America through Ellis Island.  This blog also offers an international standpoint on immigration concerns in France, and the outrage that accompanies anti-Muslim practices such as the banning of the veil.  Finally, the blog concludes with bringing us back to present day concerns over Hispanic-American immigration.  Even though great spans of time and space are covered in this blog, one can conclude that all of these immigrants possess the same desire; to be treated fairly and equally.
The reader is asked to examine one final question after viewing this blog, how has discrimination changed towards immigrants over time? Has it changed? Who is being discriminated against, and who is doing the discriminating?
Enjoy!

Protesters of Arizona's SB1070

Protests on the Capital in Arizona Against SB1070

1. What inspired this protest?

2. Who is participating in the protest? Who is not?

3. Why do you think that "We are human" is the message that the protesters chose to convey?

4. How do you think that a supporter of SB1070 would react to the protest? Why do you think that they would react this way?

5. Is this protest similar to any other protest that you might be able to think of in American history? World History? How?

6. Notice the American flag being held by the protester, what message does this flag send? How do you think supporters of SB1070 would react to seeing this protester hold the American Flag?

Hispanic Immigration in the USA

Arizona Bill SB1070

1. What are the key points of SB1070?
2. Who could be effected by the passage of this bill?
3. Why do many Americans state that this is discrimination?
4. Why do many Americans feel like this is necessary?
5. Why do you think that so many Hispanic immigrants risk everything to come to America?
6. Do you think that this bill will deter immigration? why or why not?

Ban on Burkas

As French Ban On Veils Goes Into Effect, Some Women  Defy The Law

April 11, 2001

"France's new ban on Islamic face veils was met with a burst of defiance Monday," The Associated Press reports from Paris, "as several women appeared veiled in front of Paris' Notre Dame Cathedral and two were detained for taking part in an unauthorized protest."

As Eleanor Beardsley reported for Morning Edition, the new law imposes fines on women who wear full face coverings — such as the niqab that leaves only a slit for their eyes or the burqa, which has mesh that covers the face.

An estimated 2,000 or so of France's 5 million Muslims would be affected. As Eleanor reported, women who do wish to wear such veils say the law infringes on their personal freedoms.

But as the BBC writes, "the French government says the face-covering veil undermines the basic standards required for living in a shared society and also relegates its wearers to an inferior status incompatible with French notions of equality."

1. What is France banning?
2. Why are so many French Muslims angry?
3. Why did women appear in veils in front of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris? What significance did this building have to their message?
4.Looking at the photo, what point do you think that the woman was trying to make?
5. How do you think someone who was against French Muslim women wearing the veil would  react to in seeing this young woman?
6. The French government claims that this law is to help promote unity within the country, do you think that this will actually be the result of the law? why or why not?

Anti-North African Immigrants in France

Link to News Report of Riots in Paris in 2005

1. Describe the riots that occurred in Paris, France in 2005
2.What sparked the riots in the suburbs of Paris?
3. Although there was a specific incident that sparked the riots, how are these riots connected to a larger problem in France?
4. Why is it do you think that the protesters targeted police stations as the subject of their vandalism?
5. What do you think that it would feel like to be a citizen of a country, and yet are discriminated against daily because of your ethnicity and religious beliefs?
6. Is there a situation comparable to this in the world today where one group feels discriminated against in this way?

No Irish Need Apply

NO IRISH NEED APPLY

I'm a decent boy just landed
From the town of Ballyfad;
I want a situation, yes,
And want it very bad.
I have seen employment advertised,
"It's just the thing," says I,
"But the dirty spalpeen ended with
'No Irish Need Apply.' "

"Whoa," says I, "that's an insult,
But to get the place I'll try,"
So I went to see the blackguard
With his "No Irish Need Apply."

Some do count it a misfortune
To be christened Pat or Dan,
But to me it is an honor
To be born an Irishman.

I started out to find the house,
I got it mighty soon;
There I found the old chap seated,
He was reading the Tribune.
I told him what I came for,
When he in a rage did fly,
"No!" he says, "You are a Paddy,
And no Irish need apply."

Then I gets my dander rising
And I'd like to black his eye
To tell an Irish gentleman
"No Irish Need Apply."

Some do count it a misfortune
To be christened Pat or Dan,
But to me it is an honor
To be born an Irishman.

I couldn't stand it longer
So a hold of him I took,
And gave him such a welting
As he'd get at Donnybrook.
He hollered, "Milia murther,"
And to get away did try,
And swore he'd never write again
"No Irish Need Apply."

Well he made a big apology,
I told him then goodbye,
Saying, "When next you want a beating,
Write `No Irish Need Apply.' "

Some do count it a misfortune
To be christened Pat or Dan,
But to me it is an honor
To be born an Irishman.

1. According to this song, what problem did Irish immigrants encounter once they arrived in America?

2. How is it that the author illustrates pride in his Irish heritage?

3. According to the song, how does the young Irishman get his revenge?

4. It is a common Irish stereotype that Irishmen often engage in fights, does this song follow this stereotype?  Do you think that this song could still offer pride to Irish immigrants despite of the stereotype?

5. How might this song be used to deter Irish immigration to the USA even though it is written in support of Irish?

6. What do you think inspired this author to write this song?

Anti-Irish Political Cartoon

"Uncle Sam's Lodging House"

1. What opinion does that artist have of Irish immigrants?

2. Examine the beds of the "Negro" and "Chinaman," what stereotypes are present concerning them?

3. Do you think that the artist of this cartoon is pro immigration of any kind? Why or why not?

4. Why is it that Uncle Sam is covering his ears?  What emotion is the artist attempting to evoke?

5. How might this cartoon  be used to create anti-immigration legislation?

6. Is there an ethnic group missing from this cartoon that you think should be in the "Lodging House?"  Why do you think that they were excluded from the cartoon?

Painting of Irish Immigrants Arriving in New York

1. Where is this ship approaching? How do you know?

2. Why is it that the Statue of Liberty would be such an important focal point of this picture?

3. Look at the couple in the bottom left corner, after examining their body language what do you discern was the purpose of this picture?

4. Look at each of the people in the picture, what class do you think most of these immigrants belonged to?  How might this have effected their decision to come to America?

5. What hopes might each of the people in this picture have? What fears might they have?

6. How might this picture have been used as an advertisement for immigration? Do you think the advertisement would have existed in the USA or the country or origin of the immigrants?

Chinese Exclusion Act

Chinese Exclusion Act 1882

"An Act to execute certain treaty stipulations relating to Chinese.

Whereas in the opinion of the Government of the United States the coming of Chinese laborers to this country endangers the good order of certain localities within the territory thereof: Therefore, Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That from and after the expiration of ninety days next after the passage of this act, and until the expiration of ten years next after the passage of this act, the coming of Chinese laborers to the United States be, and the same is hereby, suspended; and during such suspension it shall not be lawful for any Chinese laborer to come, or having so come after the expiration of said ninety days to remain within the United States.

SEC. 2. That the master of any vessel who shall knowingly bring within the United States on such vessel, and land or permit to be landed, any Chinese laborer, from any foreign port or place, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars for each and every such Chinese laborer so brought, and maybe also imprisoned for a term not exceeding one year..."

1. What was the purpose of the document?
2. What fears do you think inspired such a document to be written?
3. How do you think is it that the writers of this document felt that "the coming of Chinese laborers to this country endangers the good order of certain localities."  What type of danger do you think that they meant?
4. Why is it that a section of the bill was dedicated to the illegal transportation of Chinese laborers, what does this suggest?
5. Do you think that this act could have been passed before the completion of the transcontinental railroad?
6. Can you imagine a law similar to this being passed in the USA today? Why or why not?  

Chinese Immigrant Political Cartoon

1. Describe what is occurring in this picture?

2. Examine the body language of both the couple standing towards the audience, and the couple facing away, what does this body language suggest to the viewer?

3. What is it suggesting will occur?

4. How would this picture be used to invoke fear in the viewer?

5. Examine the caption of the picture, what do you think that the artist of this picture is suggesting should happen now that the railroad is complete?

6.What do you think that a bi-stander passing by this couple do or say as they passed by? 

Immigrant Chinese Railroad Laborers

1. What type of work did the Chinese immigrants do?

2. Why do you think that they continued to wear the Chinese styled hats even though they were living in America?

3. Look at the man in the distance to the far right, what do you think his job is? Do you think he belonged to the same class as the Chinese laborers?

4.What do you think would compel the Chinese immigrants to come to America to endure such back-breaking work?

5. What would it feel like to be an immigrant worker building the railroad?

6. How does the work of these workers almost a 150 years ago compare to the work that immigrants to American do today?