Great piece with a number of useful insights that could help us have better conversations on this topic (and others). I have a thought on why we don’t see/hear much comparison between immigrant whites and native-born ones, and why this may not be purely based on a double-standard. People often compare black Americans to immigrant blacks …
Great piece with a number of useful insights that could help us have better conversations on this topic (and others). I have a thought on why we don’t see/hear much comparison between immigrant whites and native-born ones, and why this may not be purely based on a double-standard. People often compare black Americans to immigrant blacks in response to those who say blacks in this country are oppressed and unable to achieve as much as other racial groups as a result of this oppression. This leads some to suggest that black immigrants have achieved a certain level of success that seems to run counter to that narrative. I’m not here to make that argument as I think all of it is much more complex. But I do understand why the argument is made in that context. On the other hand, you rarely hear someone claim that whites can’t get ahead in this country. So people rarely have a reason to compare white immigrants to native born whites as a way of rebutting that claim. Ultimately, I think people are mostly well intentioned when they try to make their points on this subject. Our country’s history of racism, specifically racism against black people, makes this topic filled with emotion—guilt, anger, sadness, confusion, frustration—and we desperately want answers to make those emotions hold less power over us. I imagine it won’t be quite so easy. But I agree with your overall perspective that changing our framing of these discussions is an important part of the solution. I hope we get there sooner than later.
Great piece with a number of useful insights that could help us have better conversations on this topic (and others). I have a thought on why we don’t see/hear much comparison between immigrant whites and native-born ones, and why this may not be purely based on a double-standard. People often compare black Americans to immigrant blacks in response to those who say blacks in this country are oppressed and unable to achieve as much as other racial groups as a result of this oppression. This leads some to suggest that black immigrants have achieved a certain level of success that seems to run counter to that narrative. I’m not here to make that argument as I think all of it is much more complex. But I do understand why the argument is made in that context. On the other hand, you rarely hear someone claim that whites can’t get ahead in this country. So people rarely have a reason to compare white immigrants to native born whites as a way of rebutting that claim. Ultimately, I think people are mostly well intentioned when they try to make their points on this subject. Our country’s history of racism, specifically racism against black people, makes this topic filled with emotion—guilt, anger, sadness, confusion, frustration—and we desperately want answers to make those emotions hold less power over us. I imagine it won’t be quite so easy. But I agree with your overall perspective that changing our framing of these discussions is an important part of the solution. I hope we get there sooner than later.