Tag: xenophobia

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Immigration and Crime: the Importance of Accurate Analysis

Immigration and Crime: Race, Ethnicity, and Violence, Intro

Ramiro Martinez, Abel Valenzuela, Jr ed.

(Response 3 of 5) by Anna

New York, a city of constant flux, is known to be a hub of immigration. It is home to Queens, the urban place with the global record of ethnic diversity. (Wikipedia) But just because so many people exist in the same place, they don’t always coexist peacefully. Popular sentiment is that an increase of immigration equals an increase in crime. However, according to Ramiro Martinez and Abel Valenzuela, Jr ed, the data points to the contrary. If the numbers suggest one thing, why is public opinion the opposite?

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Xenophobia and Street Food Vendors

Absara Hassan

Response 1: Sean Basinski, “Hot Dogs, Hipsters, and Xenophobia: Immigrant Street Food Vendors in New York”

There’s almost never a time when we don’t come across one: a shiny metal cart reflecting the view of the city, emitting an aroma that mixes with the urban atmosphere. Food carts can be found at any corner, and while we often stop by one in between classes, or just on our way somewhere, we rarely consider the role food vendors have played in the history of New York, specifically our immigration history. Continue reading “Xenophobia and Street Food Vendors”

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Food as Culture: Assimilation or Pride?

(Response 1 of 5) Introduction: Food in Multi-Ethnic Literatures

by Anna

In the introduction of Food in Multi-Ethnic Literatures, authors Fred L. Gardaphe and Wenying Xu establish the concept of “…food as a cultural sign that participates in the representations of race, ethnicity, gender, class, nationality, and exile.” (10) They note that throughout the history of the United States, food has been used as a tool to encourage and enforce assimilation, and that foods from immigrant cultures signified “ethnic inferiority.” (9) However, they also cite writers who view food as a way of expressing pride in their culture and identity.

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