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“Civilization, if it means anything and if it is ever to exist, must mean a form of human society in which the primary values are openness, diversity, tolerance, personal liberty, reason. It appears doubtful that such a society has existed in the past and at present more doubtful that it will come to be in the near future--that is, within the next century or two…”(Abbey 81). As we all know, violence only begets violence.
2) How do immigrants affect the U.S. economy? What social problems are associated with immigration?
The following is a personal experience of mine as I was an alien resident of the Netherlands, and my point of view on stereotyping immigrants; my roommates squandered their savings to take trips to Egypt, or Eastern Europe. To some, they wanted to be Communists, to show their so-called strength in numbers to other “Westerners” to show their patriotism during the European Soccer Games. It’s funny how they would sit and talk about America, as if it were a vital enemy, while they sat around listening to my music or watching my movies.
In the beginning, I thought something was truly loveable about their house and its filth. The first days upon my entering it was that of a welcomed guest, everyone wanted to know where I was from, and was very polite. As time wore on, I heard little “capitalist” remarks, and anti-American statements, as if it was intended to hurt me. I am no nationalist or much one of saluting the flag—have never been, and to think that the “Commies” could wound me, by shaming my country was instantly hilarious. One night at the bar, a clearly idiotic comment rang in my ears. One of my roommates had to declare in a gruff tone in my direction, “I am Communist!” As if I cared! These “political” comments were meant to be hurtful to me but I have learned not to classify one group of people for the mistakes of a few.
There are a number of common stereotypes that Americans have fashioned about immigrants. Nearly twenty years ago in his novel titled One Life at a Time, Please, Edward Abbey argued against immigration and added a solution: “We must draw the line, say No More, our boat is full. Enough is enough. We are not morally obliged, for example, to serve as Mexico’s “safety valve.” Let us seal the border now, militarize it if necessary, and force the government of Mexico (if there is one) to face up to the nut of the problem created by a population that keeps doubling every thirty years. Despite the fact that this may seem like a farcical resolution to the problem” Abbey proposed a revolution inside the country of Mexico: “Mexico needs not more loans--money that will end up in the Swiss banks of los ricos--but a revolution. A complete revolution, not communist, not capitalist, but moral: a revolt against injustice, cruelty, oppression, squalor and--most obvious--a woman’s rebellion against Our Lady of Perpetual Pregnancy” (Abbey 34). Abbey’s opinion is unfortunately shared-by many in the land called America: immigrants bring raised taxes, take our jobs, lower our wages, and create racial strife.
As our Eitzen and Baca Zinn said, immigrants add 1 to 10 billion dollars to the U.S. gross domestic product. With our deficit the way it is now, we should accept with open arms any newcomer into our country.
3) Is the U.S. really a country that is democratic, just and equal in opportunity?
NO!
For example, John Stuart Mill believed that the equality between the sexes and the legal subordination between a man and his wife was a chief hindrance to human society. “Half of the human race, distinguished different at birth, are never allowed to compete for certain things” (Mill 137). He was a feminist and an advocate of human rights.
It has often been said in the past and today that women do not have interest in politics, and that the natural vocation of women is of a wife and mother. The problem, which arises with this point of view, is that the abuse of power cannot be checked while power is in the hands of men. As we can see, this vicious custom of domination was questioned in the stream of progressive human society as an inequality that must disappear. John Stuart Mill reported that in England, women wanted acceptance into universities and free admission into Parliamentary Suffrage, and protested in many countries against their ‘place’ in society. It has been proven that individuals are no longer born to their place of life, and to some degree have founded the idea of freedom, liberty, improvement of ethical codes, and religious systems. But slavery still remains. Why? It has never been proven that women are not capable enough to govern over men. Women may not have been allowed in the past to have the education to become a Mozart, Beethoven, or Socrates. Mill thought that the idea that women cannot be as great was unfounded and unjust. We know of a small number of reigning queens, in comparison with kings. Many of these queens have shown firmness, intelligence, and vigour in their rule, such as the Queen of England, as well as empresses, and viceroys of provinces. John Stuart Mill stated, “There has never been a society of men without women or women without men. Exactly where and in proportion as women’s capacities for government have been tried, in that proportion they have been found adequate” (Mill 173).
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Ebuenyi Ikenna D. | May 12th, 2004
Is just about truths,our theirs and that of the guys on top at the moment.
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