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Americanization of Migrants and Immigrants
American history can be viewed through many eyes, each offering a diverse analysis of Americanization. I have found W.E.B. Du Bois's concept of double consciousness applies to both foreign born immigrants and black migrants. By examining "Of Our Spiritual Strivings" by W.E.B. Du Bois and historical writings concerning Chinese immigration I will investigate the forces which have shaped the double consciousness of both black migrants and Chinese immigrants. I will also look at how these groups perceived themselves and the American Democratic liberal society.
Double consciousness as described by W.E.B. Du Bois describes a tension within oneself, with a valued allegiance to the world of their family and traditions, but also looking at themselves and their world through the eyes of the dominant culture. "The Negro is a sort of seventh son, born with a veil, and gifted with a second-sight in this American world, - a world which yields him no true self-consciousness, but only lets him see himself through the revelation of the other world" (Du Bois, ). Many African Americans have been denied what Du Bois describes a "true consciousness". An identity crisis forms causing the individual to distinguish what it means to be an American and also what it means to be a Negro. American culture has made it very difficult for these two identities to coincide. Being a Negro was to be marked within society which separated this group from the white Anglo Saxon Protestants. The WASP population was essential viewed as the true Americans. The disheartening history of slavery and segregation has been a major factor in the evolution of theory of double consciousness.
Along with black migrants, Chinese immigrants also have a history which forms a similar feeling of double consciousness. The early Chinese came to the United States for many of the same reasons that European immigrants were flocking to the land of opportunity. For many years famine and poverty plagued China and offered little economic opportunity. With the building of the transcontinental railroad and the California gold rush the United States had much to offer the Chinese. The Chinese arrived in Angel Island in California and began the search for work. During the boom years in the mid 1800's there was great deal of work for the Chinese and they were welcomed into California. Americans eagerly welcomed the hands of the laborers, but not their presence. There was a great deal of segregation of the Chinese into china towns. When the economic conditions in the United States deteriorated the discrimination of the Chinese increased. While this entire time the Chinese where in exploring a new identity, they were torn between their Chinese values and customs and the new American customs.
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Double consciousness is not a natural occurrence, but forms within a culture that allows inequality. There are many forces that shape double consciousness of both black migrants and Chinese immigrants. Racial discrimination was a major force in the formation of the dual identities. Jim Crow Laws which enforced the decision of separate but equal essentially showed that you could not be both an American and a Negro. The Laws showed on paper that there were two groups and there was a distinct line that separated them. Not only was there separation, black migrants were not given the same rights as the white population. The Chinese were also the target of racial discrimination. One of the first major acts of discrimination was the Chinese Exclusion Act of 188. "The coming of Chinese laborers to the United States be, … suspended; during such suspension it should not be lawful for any Chinese laborer to come" (The Chinese Exclusion Act, 55). This act suspended the entry of Chinese immigrants to the United States. The many laws that fueled discrimination ofblack migrants and Chinese have been major forces that have helped deny these groups "true consciousness", as well as preventing them from being full citizens.
Unlike most European immigrants, Chinese immigrants and black migrants have found it difficult to assimilate. Black migrants should have been completely assimilated long ago, but there is a force that has prevented them from doing so. Skin color is a distinct marking that separates these groups from the "unmarked" WASP population. Robert S. Bourne shares his feelings on immigration in his writing "Trans-National America", "it neglects to take into account this strong and virile insistence that American shall be what the immigrant will have a hand in making it, and not what the ruling class, descendant of those British stocks which were the first permanent immigrants, decide what America shall be made" (Bourne, 86). Bourne shares the feeling that no group should be marked un-American because they are not of the Anglo-Saxon population. Every individual that makes up this nation was once an immigrant, excluding Native Americans. There is no reason that Americanization should follow the rules set by the first British immigrants.
The forces that have brought this sense of double consciousness to come into play have had a large impact on how the Chinese and African Americans view themselves and the American Democratic liberal society. First, we must examine what it means to be an American. To sum it up, the Bill of Rights describes what you are entitled to as an American. African Americans and Chinese have not been fully given these rights in the past. The discrimination and stereotyping that has been affecting these two groups has brought about negative perceptions. If society views these groups in a disapproving way, the effect will be a negative self perception, leading to low self esteem as well as have major effects on their physical and mental well being. Along with their individual perceptions, their view on American is one in which is negative as well. If they are separated by tension between their ancestry and being American they cannot fully support the culture that divides them.
The United States is a nation of immigrants, founded on the statement, "all men shall be created equal", (Declaration of Independence). This has not always been true. Throughout history many immigrant groups as well as black migrants have faced discrimination and inequality. There is tension that has formed a negative cloud covering this nation. Until all individuals that reside in the United States are viewed with the same respect and equality, double consciousness will continue to burden many Americans.
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