My chosen focus for the paradigm shifts project is immigration. Not only is immigration a subject that I can closely relate to, but it is also a huge topic of contention currently in our politics and society. The larger waves of immigration first came about in the 1920s and have continued into our present-day affairs. Therefore, my focus for this project would extend over centuries and would primarily cover the ideas American citizens have consistently have as well as any changes seen in our ideology about immigrants. Initially, immigrants faced discrimination and poverty upon arriving in America, almost regardless of their race or ethnicity. Irish and Italians alike faced hatred and discriminatory behavior from US citizens, however as the times have progressed there has been a certain acceptance of “white immigration” while other immigrants are treated harsher and as criminals. This shift is my key focus, as the effects and current news surrounding harsher border policies based on race and ethnicity are extremely relevant and recent in 2022.
This particular shift must be understood because it is not just adults facing the repercussions of systemic racism in immigration. Families are driven apart as the countries they are fleeing thrive off their citizens’ fear and reluctance to leave. In addition, many anti-immigration lawmakers and supporters tend to make the argument that immigrants “steal jobs” and worsen our economy. However, it is quite the contrary; immigrants contribute to our economy by creating a more specialized and experienced workforce as well as increasing our overall total revenue and unemployment rate. The experiences that immigrants went through in the 1920s were reflective of citizen’s feelings of immigration at the time and continues to be like that to this day. Not only does traveling and border patrol pose life threatening issues, but the path to citizenship is rigorous and takes longer than expected. For my project, I will be able to delve deeper into the plights faced by immigrants both in the 1920s and in present-day, as well as the shift to a systemically racist policy of immigration.
Annotated Bibliography
- I will use this source to illustrate more recent polls on immigration and to demonstrate an overall look at how Americans feel about immigration. It is particularly useful since there are visuals to show an overview of the poll results.
https://www.gilderlehrman.org/sites/default/files/2022-02/immigration%20cartoon_0.jpg
- This is a political cartoon provided by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. It will be used to demonstrate how even in the 1920s, the literacy tests and overall struggle for immigrants was recognized and is a constant seen today.
- This source is another poll about Americans’ views on immigration and offers an interesting take. In this poll, almost 75% of Americans view immigration as a good thing, offering a stark contrast to what was widely accepted in the 1920s. This brings up the influence of politics and sharp partisan contrasts creating a divide in the topic of immigration.
https://www.loc.gov/classroom-materials/united-states-history-primary-source-
- This source offers an overall background about immigration in the 1920s and will be my primary source when mentioning the history and direct facts.
https://history.state.gov/milestones/1921-1936/immigration-act
- This source outlines certain milestones that made immigration between 1921-1936 such a challenge and a difficult process for immigrants.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zkng87h/revision/5
- This source generally explains what issues people had with immigration in the 1920s, and some of the rationalities made then are similar to what people argue now.
https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna24714378
- This source identifies different discrimination and racism related to immigration, however the starting point to all of these practices is seen through the wave of immigrants seen in the 1910s and 20s.
- I am going to use this source since it primarily defends one of my main focuses, being that immigration has developed into a form of systemic racism and discrimination.