Comments on: Pat Buchanan’s Anti-Hispanic Rhetoric Echoes Earlier Anti-Immigrant Hysteria http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/23/buchanan-nativism/ Thu, 26 Nov 2009 13:46:49 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Ally Work » A Very Brief Primer on Immigration History Part 1 http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/23/buchanan-nativism/comment-page-2/#comment-1120281 Ally Work » A Very Brief Primer on Immigration History Part 1 Sun, 12 Nov 2006 17:38:06 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/23/buchanan-nativism/#comment-1120281 [...] One of the hot topics in the recent US election was immigration. Pundits, like Lou Dobbs, are on a mission to “fix our broken borders” by cracking down on illegal immigration. They argue that immigrants are taking jobs from American citizens, refusing to assimilate, changing American cultural values, and engaging in criminal activities. As I listen to these arguments, I am always reminded of my class lecture on European American immigration patters. The rhetoric of contemporary nativist activists like Lou Dobbs and Pat Buchanan is nothing new. In fact, it follows almost exactly the same rhetoric of http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/23/buchanan-nativism/”>earlier anti-immigrant backlashes. While Latinos are the primary targets of contemporary nativists, in the early years it was the Irish, the Germans, the Italians, the Jews, and the Chinese, and the “problems” were the same. Before we can understand the significance of anti-immigration backlashes, it is also important to explore the variation waves of immigration and how they are shaped by policy and economic conditions. The earliest European immigrants were primarily English, and since the English became the dominant group, they were also able to set policies and social norms for other immigrants. ((Of course, I haven’t forgotten about the indigenous people of North America or the involuntary African immigrants, but the focus here will be on voluntary migrants.)) One of the primary social norms that British set was the norm of Anglo-conformity, which was proposed by Milton Gordon ((Gordon, Milton. 1964. Assimilation in American Life. New York: Oxford University Press.)) Under the system of Anglo-conformity immigrants were expected to model the English American customs and language to the point that they became indistinguishable. During the earliest years, the US had a fairly open immigration policy. European immigrants were welcomed and encouraged to come to the US, and there were few laws or policies that limited immigration. Most immigrants in the earliest years came from England, Germany, and Ireland> (along with a small contingent of Scandinavian immigrants). The German and Irish immigrants were very much vilified, as this quote from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/07/AR2006050700721.html”>a recent Washington Post article highlights: Still, European immigrants found plenty of backlash. Nativist sentiments ran strong, and white Protestant reformers championed English-language instruction and temperance, the latter reflecting the Establishment’s disdain for hard-drinking immigrants. The Germans set up 121 breweries in Brooklyn and Manhattan alone. [...] [...] One of the hot topics in the recent US election was immigration. Pundits, like Lou Dobbs, are on a mission to “fix our broken borders” by cracking down on illegal immigration. They argue that immigrants are taking jobs from American citizens, refusing to assimilate, changing American cultural values, and engaging in criminal activities. As I listen to these arguments, I am always reminded of my class lecture on European American immigration patters. The rhetoric of contemporary nativist activists like Lou Dobbs and Pat Buchanan is nothing new. In fact, it follows almost exactly the same rhetoric of http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/23/buchanan-nativism/”>earlier anti-immigrant backlashes. While Latinos are the primary targets of contemporary nativists, in the early years it was the Irish, the Germans, the Italians, the Jews, and the Chinese, and the “problems” were the same. Before we can understand the significance of anti-immigration backlashes, it is also important to explore the variation waves of immigration and how they are shaped by policy and economic conditions. The earliest European immigrants were primarily English, and since the English became the dominant group, they were also able to set policies and social norms for other immigrants. ((Of course, I haven’t forgotten about the indigenous people of North America or the involuntary African immigrants, but the focus here will be on voluntary migrants.)) One of the primary social norms that British set was the norm of Anglo-conformity, which was proposed by Milton Gordon ((Gordon, Milton. 1964. Assimilation in American Life. New York: Oxford University Press.)) Under the system of Anglo-conformity immigrants were expected to model the English American customs and language to the point that they became indistinguishable. During the earliest years, the US had a fairly open immigration policy. European immigrants were welcomed and encouraged to come to the US, and there were few laws or policies that limited immigration. Most immigrants in the earliest years came from England, Germany, and Ireland> (along with a small contingent of Scandinavian immigrants). The German and Irish immigrants were very much vilified, as this quote from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/07/AR2006050700721.html”>a recent Washington Post article highlights: Still, European immigrants found plenty of backlash. Nativist sentiments ran strong, and white Protestant reformers championed English-language instruction and temperance, the latter reflecting the Establishment’s disdain for hard-drinking immigrants. The Germans set up 121 breweries in Brooklyn and Manhattan alone. [...]

]]> By: Alas, a blog » Blog Archive » A Very Brief Primer on Immigration History, Part 1 http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/23/buchanan-nativism/comment-page-2/#comment-1117372 Alas, a blog » Blog Archive » A Very Brief Primer on Immigration History, Part 1 Sun, 12 Nov 2006 07:18:40 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/23/buchanan-nativism/#comment-1117372 [...] One of the hot topics in the recent US election was immigration. Pundits, like Lou Dobbs, are on a mission to “fix our broken borders” by cracking down on illegal immigration. They argue that immigrants are taking jobs from American citizens, refusing to assimilate, changing American cultural values, and engaging in criminal activities. As I listen to these arguments, I am always reminded of my class lecture on European American immigration patters. The rhetoric of contemporary nativist activists like Lou Dobbs and Pat Buchanan is nothing new. In fact, it follows almost exactly the same rhetoric of earlier anti-immigrant backlashes. While Latinos are the primary targets of contemporary nativists, in the early years it was the Irish, the Germans, the Italians, the Jews, and the Chinese, and the “problems” were the same. [...] [...] One of the hot topics in the recent US election was immigration. Pundits, like Lou Dobbs, are on a mission to “fix our broken borders” by cracking down on illegal immigration. They argue that immigrants are taking jobs from American citizens, refusing to assimilate, changing American cultural values, and engaging in criminal activities. As I listen to these arguments, I am always reminded of my class lecture on European American immigration patters. The rhetoric of contemporary nativist activists like Lou Dobbs and Pat Buchanan is nothing new. In fact, it follows almost exactly the same rhetoric of earlier anti-immigrant backlashes. While Latinos are the primary targets of contemporary nativists, in the early years it was the Irish, the Germans, the Italians, the Jews, and the Chinese, and the “problems” were the same. [...]

]]> By: Alas, a blog » Blog Archive » A Very Basic Primer on US Immigration History Part 1 http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/23/buchanan-nativism/comment-page-2/#comment-1115437 Alas, a blog » Blog Archive » A Very Basic Primer on US Immigration History Part 1 Sat, 11 Nov 2006 21:50:53 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/23/buchanan-nativism/#comment-1115437 [...] One of the hot topics in the recent US election was immigration. Pundits, like Lou Dobbs, are on a mission to “fix our broken borders” by cracking down on illegal immigration. They argue that immigrants are taking jobs from American citizens, refusing to assimilate, changing American cultural values, and engaging in criminal activities. As I listen to these arguments, I am always reminded of my class lecture on European American immigration patters. The rhetoric of contemporary nativist activists like Lou Dobbs and Pat Buchanan is nothing new. In fact, it follows almost exactly the same rhetoric of earlier anti-immigrant backlashes. While Latinos are the primary targets of contemporary nativists, in the early years it was the Irish, the Germans, the Italians, the Jews, and the Chinese, and the “problems” were the same. [...] [...] One of the hot topics in the recent US election was immigration. Pundits, like Lou Dobbs, are on a mission to “fix our broken borders” by cracking down on illegal immigration. They argue that immigrants are taking jobs from American citizens, refusing to assimilate, changing American cultural values, and engaging in criminal activities. As I listen to these arguments, I am always reminded of my class lecture on European American immigration patters. The rhetoric of contemporary nativist activists like Lou Dobbs and Pat Buchanan is nothing new. In fact, it follows almost exactly the same rhetoric of earlier anti-immigrant backlashes. While Latinos are the primary targets of contemporary nativists, in the early years it was the Irish, the Germans, the Italians, the Jews, and the Chinese, and the “problems” were the same. [...]

]]> By: R Williams http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/23/buchanan-nativism/comment-page-2/#comment-847039 R Williams Wed, 20 Sep 2006 17:03:05 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/23/buchanan-nativism/#comment-847039 Today, the Senate voted 94 to zip to build a 700 mile fence along the Mexican border. I guess Pat was just ahead of his time. . . By the grandfather of two hispanic boys. Today, the Senate voted 94 to zip to build a 700 mile fence along the Mexican border. I guess Pat was just ahead of his time. . .

By the grandfather of two hispanic boys.

]]> By: R.A. Pelto http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/23/buchanan-nativism/comment-page-2/#comment-786258 R.A. Pelto Thu, 07 Sep 2006 14:17:45 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/23/buchanan-nativism/#comment-786258 Lots of emotion here, and too few facts. One important opinion, though: There is a direct connection between population growth and immigration. The latter constitutes about 90 percent of this unsustainable growth. Why? Because key resources for industrial survival are rapidly disappearing, and with more and more people coming across deliberately porous borders, ecological degradation and increasing consumption threatens future life here. That makes priorities today much different than the priorities of the beginning of the last century. Most here apparently have difficulty understanding that. Lots of emotion here, and too few facts. One important opinion, though: There is a direct connection between population growth and immigration. The latter constitutes about 90 percent of this unsustainable growth. Why? Because key resources for industrial survival are rapidly disappearing, and with more and more people coming across deliberately porous borders, ecological degradation and increasing consumption threatens future life here. That makes priorities today much different than the priorities of the beginning of the last century. Most here apparently have difficulty understanding that.

]]> By: Suzie http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/23/buchanan-nativism/comment-page-2/#comment-758290 Suzie Mon, 28 Aug 2006 00:20:11 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/23/buchanan-nativism/#comment-758290 Pat Buchanan must be the most un-American man on the planet. Did he forget how he got here? Being the xenophobic that he is, Buchanan says that he is a patriot and a defender of traditional Anglo-American values. Well how might white of you, you should be earsed from the plaent along with all the people who acutlly belive that what you say is american and Godly. Can’t wait till you meet him and explain to him you idea that one human is better than the other. I suggest you dress light. You Ahole but push your ideas or religion on anyone this is American JACK and I can belive and do whatever I what as logs as it is with the law and MY moral belief. Go back to where ever your imegringt gandparents came from Daughter of hispanic immigrants. First generation American Pat Buchanan must be the most un-American man on the planet. Did he forget how he got here? Being the xenophobic that he is, Buchanan says that he is a patriot and a defender of traditional Anglo-American values. Well how might white of you, you should be earsed from the plaent along with all the people who acutlly belive that what you say is american and Godly. Can’t wait till you meet him and explain to him you idea that one human is better than the other. I suggest you dress light. You Ahole but push your ideas or religion on anyone this is American JACK and I can belive and do whatever I what as logs as it is with the law and MY moral belief. Go back to where ever your imegringt gandparents came from

Daughter of hispanic immigrants.
First generation American

]]> By: Janet Downing http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/23/buchanan-nativism/comment-page-2/#comment-756761 Janet Downing Sun, 27 Aug 2006 03:43:15 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/23/buchanan-nativism/#comment-756761 Pat Buchanan speaks for me and many others of my fellow Americans who were born in this great country at that time during the 30s and 40s. The Mexicans that I knew growing up did not speak Spanish they spoke English. They lived just like we did. They dressed like we did and played football and other sports, they went to war and served their country. Today, they do not speak English. I live in an area where the Mexicans are 75% and the large percentage do not speak English, nor do they want too. The men stand on the corner waiting to be picked up for work. Crime and gangs are everywhere with most of the crime done by Mexicans. They do not live like we do. Their hygiene is not like ours, their concept of space as to Americans is different, nor have they adapted. Most of the illigals are illiterate in our language and in theirs. In addition, they are unskilled and they are poor drivers who run or go back to Mexico when they kill someone by driving or cause an accident. Puerto Ricans, Cubans, Costa RIca, Panamanians, El Salvadorians and those of other Latin American countries such as Colombia are not like the Mexican's. They have some manner of class, education or are able to assimilate. They are willing to wait their turn to come hear. Not the Mexican who enters our country like a coyote, planing to steal their way into our country. Americans should listen to Pat Buchanan and consider themselves warned. Pat Buchanan speaks for me and many others of my fellow Americans who were born in this great country at that time during the 30s and 40s.

The Mexicans that I knew growing up did not speak Spanish they spoke English. They lived just like we did. They dressed like we did and played football and other sports, they went to war and served their country. Today, they do not speak English. I live in an area where the Mexicans are 75% and the large percentage do not speak English, nor do they want too. The men stand on the corner waiting to be picked up for work. Crime and gangs are everywhere with most of the crime done by Mexicans. They do not live like we do. Their hygiene is not like ours, their concept of space as to Americans is different, nor have they adapted. Most of the illigals are illiterate in our language and in theirs.

In addition, they are unskilled and they are poor drivers who run or go back to Mexico when they kill someone by driving or cause an accident.

Puerto Ricans, Cubans, Costa RIca, Panamanians, El Salvadorians and those of other Latin American countries such as Colombia are not like the Mexican’s. They have some manner of class, education or are able to assimilate. They are willing to wait their turn to come hear. Not the Mexican who enters our country like a coyote, planing to steal their way into our country.

Americans should listen to Pat Buchanan and consider themselves warned.

]]> By: Wayne A. Schneider http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/23/buchanan-nativism/comment-page-2/#comment-752881 Wayne A. Schneider Fri, 25 Aug 2006 12:18:33 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/23/buchanan-nativism/#comment-752881 <i>you leftards are not going to be happy pushing your stupid diversity crap until the US is a brown third world socilialist country. it’s sad to see how liberals have turned white guilt into an industry. Why do you lefties hate the white race so much and want to see it’s demise? As a white person you should stand up for your race and heritage . Comment by reddog rules — August 24, 2006 @ 7:08 pm </i> Sounds like someone has some low self-esteem issues. Why do you identify yourself so much by how much melanin is or isn't in your skin? Why is this important? Does it matter that much? Do you feel that being white somehow makes you superior to other people? Is that what it is? It's not that we liberals hate the white race; it's that we hate white supremacists, like you and Pat Buchanan. We don't care what color skin people have, but you clearly do. you leftards are not going to be happy pushing your stupid diversity crap until the US is a brown third world socilialist country. it’s sad to see how liberals have turned white guilt into an industry. Why do you lefties hate the white race so much and want to see it’s demise? As a white person you should stand up for your race and heritage .

Comment by reddog rules — August 24, 2006 @ 7:08 pm

Sounds like someone has some low self-esteem issues. Why do you identify yourself so much by how much melanin is or isn’t in your skin? Why is this important? Does it matter that much? Do you feel that being white somehow makes you superior to other people? Is that what it is?

It’s not that we liberals hate the white race; it’s that we hate white supremacists, like you and Pat Buchanan. We don’t care what color skin people have, but you clearly do.

]]> By: God is a Nihilist http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/23/buchanan-nativism/comment-page-2/#comment-752167 God is a Nihilist Fri, 25 Aug 2006 00:20:24 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/23/buchanan-nativism/#comment-752167 ......................................................................................................Let me guess you belong to the world church of the creator, and probably the kkk as well. Congratulations you win racist of the month award. Here are your prizes. <a></a> …………………………………………………………………………………………Let me guess you belong to the world church of the creator, and probably the kkk as well. Congratulations you win racist of the month award. Here are your prizes.

]]> By: reddog rules http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/23/buchanan-nativism/comment-page-2/#comment-752073 reddog rules Thu, 24 Aug 2006 23:08:16 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/23/buchanan-nativism/#comment-752073 you leftards are not going to be happy pushing your stupid diversity crap until the US is a brown third world socilialist country. it's sad to see how liberals have turned white guilt into an industry. Why do you lefties hate the white race so much and want to see it's demise? As a white person you should stand up for your race and heritage . you leftards are not going to be happy pushing your stupid diversity crap until the US is a brown third world socilialist country. it’s sad to see how liberals have turned white guilt into an industry. Why do you lefties hate the white race so much and want to see it’s demise? As a white person you should stand up for your race and heritage .

]]> By: God is a Nihilist http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/23/buchanan-nativism/comment-page-2/#comment-751500 God is a Nihilist Thu, 24 Aug 2006 18:30:38 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/23/buchanan-nativism/#comment-751500 Stop watching the 700 club and go eat some rice crispies. And pat robertson is an alien ok, have you seen the shape of his head? Stop watching the 700 club and go eat some rice crispies. And pat robertson is an alien ok, have you seen the shape of his head?

]]> By: mighty aphrodite http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/23/buchanan-nativism/comment-page-2/#comment-751340 mighty aphrodite Thu, 24 Aug 2006 17:28:39 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/23/buchanan-nativism/#comment-751340 Gerald- Leave the TP donations to George Soros and Peter Lewis. Those two - they NEED - I doubt you're in their league..... Gerald- Leave the TP donations to George Soros and Peter Lewis. Those two – they NEED – I doubt you’re in their league…..

]]> By: Gerald Gibson http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/23/buchanan-nativism/comment-page-2/#comment-751236 Gerald Gibson Thu, 24 Aug 2006 16:38:14 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/23/buchanan-nativism/#comment-751236 I even donated money... not anymore though... fool me once... I even donated money… not anymore though… fool me once…

]]> By: Gerald Gibson http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/23/buchanan-nativism/comment-page-2/#comment-751232 Gerald Gibson Thu, 24 Aug 2006 16:37:01 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/23/buchanan-nativism/#comment-751232 <em>Perhaps TP should consider discussing this matter in a more grown-up, logical fashion. Comment by PodestaAintProud </em> Ya right... I tried doing exactly that and they deleted my posts repeatedly. Even though I have been posting on this site for a long time and mostly in support of TP ... and now they delete every single post I have made on this subject even though I do not and did not support the racism aspect ... only the logical numerical aspect of the problem... but still they deleted all my posts on all of the threads about this subject. There is a limit that you cross over to being a leftwing nut job just like rightwinger nut jobs...and TP is crossing that line from time to time. Perhaps TP should consider discussing this matter in a more grown-up, logical fashion.

Comment by PodestaAintProud

Ya right… I tried doing exactly that and they deleted my posts repeatedly.

Even though I have been posting on this site for a long time and mostly in support of TP … and now they delete every single post I have made on this subject even though I do not and did not support the racism aspect … only the logical numerical aspect of the problem… but still they deleted all my posts on all of the threads about this subject. There is a limit that you cross over to being a leftwing nut job just like rightwinger nut jobs…and TP is crossing that line from time to time.

]]> By: reddog rules http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/23/buchanan-nativism/comment-page-2/#comment-751173 reddog rules Thu, 24 Aug 2006 16:06:13 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/23/buchanan-nativism/#comment-751173 My relatives were immigrants but they came to this country LEGALLY and they came here to assimilate not to invade! They followed the law, learned the american language and were proud to be Americans. but hey when you liberals lose the argument as you always do you can always "jesse jackson" your way out by playing the race card. My relatives were immigrants but they came to this country LEGALLY and they came here to assimilate not to invade! They followed the law, learned the american language and were proud to be Americans.
but hey when you liberals lose the argument as you always do you can always “jesse jackson” your way out by playing the race card.

]]> By: The Virginia Progressive » False Arguments http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/23/buchanan-nativism/comment-page-2/#comment-751042 The Virginia Progressive » False Arguments Thu, 24 Aug 2006 14:52:05 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/23/buchanan-nativism/#comment-751042 [...] The first argument is misleading, as Howling Latina earlier noted.    Crime has no race, creed or color.   Think Progress has one of the best posts that rebuts the Buchanan wing of the GOP on the subject of immigration:  [...] [...] The first argument is misleading, as Howling Latina earlier noted.    Crime has no race, creed or color.   Think Progress has one of the best posts that rebuts the Buchanan wing of the GOP on the subject of immigration:  [...]

]]> By: TheMadTexan http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/23/buchanan-nativism/comment-page-2/#comment-750968 TheMadTexan Thu, 24 Aug 2006 14:00:34 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/23/buchanan-nativism/#comment-750968 The federal government should build a wall around Pat Buchanan. The federal government should build a wall around Pat Buchanan.

]]> By: Zooey http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/23/buchanan-nativism/comment-page-2/#comment-750375 Zooey Thu, 24 Aug 2006 04:16:33 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/23/buchanan-nativism/#comment-750375 I think so, Juan, but I'm too tired to try and figure it out tonight. I think they're trying to tell us to get lost. It's not as if we <em>always</em> post silly stuff. :) I think so, Juan, but I’m too tired to try and figure it out tonight.
I think they’re trying to tell us to get lost. It’s not as if we always post silly stuff. :)

]]> By: Juan C http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/23/buchanan-nativism/comment-page-2/#comment-750362 Juan C Thu, 24 Aug 2006 04:00:41 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/23/buchanan-nativism/#comment-750362 <em>Why are you saying Hi to true for me? Comment by Zooey — August 23, 2006 @ 11:53 pm</em> Well, she wrote me. Did you read about the Digg it! stuff? Is that intended for people like us, the hijackers? Why are you saying Hi to true for me?
Comment by Zooey — August 23, 2006 @ 11:53 pm

Well, she wrote me. Did you read about the Digg it! stuff? Is that intended for people like us, the hijackers?

]]> By: Zooey http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/23/buchanan-nativism/comment-page-2/#comment-750355 Zooey Thu, 24 Aug 2006 03:53:30 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/23/buchanan-nativism/#comment-750355 Hi Juan. Say hi to true for me. Why are you saying Hi to true for me? Hi Juan. Say hi to true for me.

Why are you saying Hi to true for me?

]]>