Answer To: ARW250SUA: Research Essay Assignment Due Date: Wednesday, April 15th (There will be NO extensions)...
Preeti answered on Apr 11 2021
Write an essay that examines the xenophobia and prejudice faced by either Italian or Jewish immigrants to Canada or America.
Introduction
In the 19th Century, American religious landscape experienced massive waves of immigration by Italian and Jewish, sparked nativist and anti-immigration responses. Since the colonial period, there have been small communities of Italians and Jews, but, 19th and 20th century has brought new influx of Italians and Jews to America. The nation is always considered as the land of immigrants, but, greatest waves of immigration by Italians and Jews brought new level of ethnic and religious diversity challenges and commitment to religious freedom. Annual immigration rates are expected to reach at three million in the next twenty years. The immigrants came to the America’s land as political dissidents or uprooted peasants in lieu of economic opportunities and a mechanism to improve their livelihood. Italians and German Jews entering in US for seeking freedom from high tax rates and legal limitations imposed on them at their home country. Italians and Jews are pouring into the lands of America at a steady rate, the main catalyst factors behind immigration is the high population growth in their countries, an outmoded economy, and high rate of literacy.
Immigration scenario: America and Canada
Starting from 19th century, US is following repeated pattern of discrimination for each successive group of immigrants arrives in the country, and, seeks to join Great American Movement. Italians are found as first stage immigrant groups, as more than one-third Italy’s population left country as indentured servants, or unskilled labour entered in the host country. Initially, Italians were first stereotypes as fighters, cheaters and drunkards, but, later on, viewed as contributors to society in the form of police, firefighters, politicians and entertainers (Porter and Russell, 2018).
As the scenario progressed, several immigrants from Italy, Poland and other countries have arrived in USA. The proportion of immigrants and their share in total US population from 1850-2017 is showed in underlying figure:
(Source: Meehan, 2020)
In accordance to the rise in immigrants’ population, America has started several anti-immigration movements in order to control the flow of Italians and Jews, either legally or illegally. The dramatic increase in the total immigration rates has made US’s 13.7% population as immigrants, coming from several countries around the globe.
Italian immigrants arriving in large numbers in US in the way of searching an opportunity and establishing a strong economic foothold in American society is now facing several kinds of stereotypes and prejudices. Italian Americans are often victimised by organised crime, their collective reputation is severely tarnished by the organised crime prevented them from climbing the socioeconomic ladder. There are also several conflicting norms between deeply rooted traditions of Italy and America. As Italians are continually rediscovering Italy and their immigrant ancestors, along with several other immigrants around the globe are also continually arriving America, this scenario is posing threat to the America’s economy (Porter and Russell, 2018).
This process of continuous immigration from Italy and other parts of the world is a dual-edge sword. On one end, it is viewed as a mechanism of making Italian people’s lives easy and comfortable, but, on the other end, it is making this navigation process quite complicated. This is so because adapting and surviving in the new world is not easy, moreover, it gets complicated, when people are not completely surrendering their past. Italian immigrants are found as deeply rooted into their cultural beliefs and norms. They are found as less reluctant in adopting and following new cultural patterns and beliefs. As a conventional wisdom, it is believed that immigrants are expected to follow and adhere with the cultural norms and beliefs prevailing in the foreign country. The new immigrants are facing new and unique challenges of surviving effectively and strongly in the foreign country (Meehan, 2020).
With respect to immigrants’ scenario for Jews coming in Canada and America, they also faced extreme violence in the respective countries. Jews are forced to live in harsh conditions, losing their ability to continue certain jobs, and facing extreme violence. Immigration to America and Canada has become an awful condition and experience, struggling to live in better family conditions. The main reason led Jews to migrate to Canada and America is the poverty scenario prevailing in their country, the high level poverty led Jews to search for options offering them livelihood opportunities. Jews need high assistance to survive and continue their life, therefore searching for some countries and places offering them employment opportunities and allowing living sustainable life (Maddison, n.d).
According to the information shared by a famous historian and writer named Allan Levine, some crucial facts and findings regarding The Canadian Jewish Experience is drawn and inferred upon. The policy makers and politicians at Canada advocated multiculturalism as a major policy of the government. In theoretical and practical terms, Canadian government has altered Canadian values and norms for the betterment of the lives of Jews and other ethnic or minority groups. As a part of it, Jews are also appointed as cabinet members, and, at different positions in judiciary and civil service in high proportion numbers. The author also stated that officials in the Prime Minister’s office of the country viewed Jews immigrants as a politically opportune time to address issues and concerns related to Jewish community in a formal...