Peter Kwong’s analysis of the flaws in the immigration debate gave voice to many of my ideas in a way that I was not able to explain. He provided historical context like the Chinese Exclusion Act to point out how deeply xenophobia and immigration restrictions are ingrained in American culture. Although I learned about these laws in history class as if they were a thing of the past, with the rise of anti-immigrant demagogues like Trump it has become abundantly clear that xenophobia continues to be alive and well in America.

Paradoxically, many members of the white working class in America support figures like Trump and other Republicans, expecting that their support for these candidates will somehow benefit them. This is despite the fact that the Republican party is at the forefront of the push for reduction of welfare programs and food stamps. Insidious political rhetoric has convinced white working class Americans that illegal immigrants are more of a problem than the capitalist onslaught against all the labor gains of the past century such as unions, pensions and health benefits. These mistreated workers are targeted, but they are simply a scapegoat to mask the true culprits: multinational corporations who are ravaging the planet and their employees.

Peter Kwong’s article was eye opening in its discussion of the horrendous treatment of Chinese immigrants in factories in Chinatown. Robert G. Lee added to this discussion of the Asian American experience through his elaboration on how Asians became the “model minority.” They are held up on a pedestal for other immigrant groups to admire because of their high education levels and lack of dependence on state programs for subsistence, while 15% of them live below the federal poverty level in NYC. The “model minority” myth obliterates the struggles that Asian Americans face and unfairly chastises other immigrant groups for “not being as successful as Asian Americans.”

As a side note I would like to comment on the prevalence of the term “[insert ethnicity]-Americans.” Considering that many of these hyphenated individuals live under the radar and are not registered as Americans due to our insistence on unjustly excluding them, is it really fair or honest to call them Americans? Although if it were up to me these individuals would be citizens, it strikes me as facetious to give them the label American if we are not willing to extend to them the privileges that come with that label.

-Melissa Duchan

#bernie4prez2016