Every passing day, I realize how much we take advantage of the things in our lives – whether they be living or material. It’s true how we suddenly value something when it’s gone; most of us have grown up in America, spoiled by its overwhelming opportunities and ethnic variety. After encountering the readings by Nancy Foner and Tyler Anbinder, I’m now awakened to the fact that others in foreign lands would literally put their lives of the line for what I’ve been born into. It’s safe to say that I value my life now more than ever.
Like what William noted, what bothered me most about the readings (Anbinder, in particular) was how early immigrants were assigned to labor that no one else was willing to do. Yes, perhaps these hardships were – in retrospect – less severe than what was experienced in their homelands. Yes, this kind of work was willingly done in order to begin life anew. But, when examining my own life and opportunities, was their past treatment truly just? I suppose that life for immigrants in America has improved, since technology and communication have matured. Foner states that our land is now attractive to those of contrasting classes and educational levels, as well as cultures and religions; that must say something about how we as a country have improved our offerings.
ToniAnn pointed out how immigrants of contrasting origins, although alike in aspiration, displayed animosity towards each other. This does not completely surprise me. Foner repeatedly mentioned the reasons immigrants had for coming to the United States: “America holds out the promise of political and cultural freedom – and material abundance” (26). Furthermore, she elaborated on this fact by stating that once settled, these arrivals strove “to earn higher wages and maintain a better standard of living” (27). These thousands millions of newcomers were all competing for the same desires. With such pressure for limited success, it’s no wonder why resentment would arise (i.e., the Irish against the Italians) in the dog-eat-dog world we call America. Collaboration with others besides those within their own cultural ties just seemed to be unreasonable.
