Discrimination Among Immigrants

Immigrants flooded into the United States during the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century, providing cheap labor, creating an economic boom, and making the United States a global superpower (Gale). Although immigrants enabled the industrial revolution, most Americans believed the immigrants were a threat: “They worried that the newcomers carried or spread disease, they were disturbed because the immigrants followed different religions and customs, and they felt outnumbered by the large numbers of ‘foreigners’ in their cities” (Gale). The fear the Americans felt towards immigrants developed into strong prejudice which made assimilating into American culture difficult for immigrants. Dealing with prejudice and struggling to assimilate
But, prejudice also causes immigrants to assimilate quickly and try to blend in to avoid stereotypes. Hernríquez illustrates the desperation to be accepted in her novel: “When I walk down the street, I don’t want people to look at me and see a criminal or someone that they can spit on or beat up. I want them to see a guy who has just as much right to be here as they do, or a guy who works hard, or a guy who loves his family, or a guy who’s just trying to do the right things” (Hernríquez 235). Immigrants, who have the same goals and emotions as citizens, deserve to be treated equally and should not be negatively stereotyped. But, most non-immigrants, even kids, like Hernríquez’s character, Garrett, have an internalized hatred of immigrants and minorities: “‘Go home,’ he said. I knew those words, and I knew by the way he said them that he didn’t mean I should go back to the apartment” (Hernríquez 150). Garrett’s prejudice evokes fear in Alma, and her fear is symbolic of the fear immigrants feel towards the hatred towards them. Fear causes immigrants to be protective of themselves and their friends and families, like how Alma is determined and desperate to protect her daughter from Garrett, a hateful and racist boy. Alma, like most immigrant parents, came to America to improve the life of her daughter. These immigrant parents do not deserve the prejudice they face
From the actual moving, to learning how to adjust and assimilate while simultaneously facing prejudice and hatred, the immigrant journey is a perpetual struggle. Immigrants have been struggling to assimilate and create a new and improved life since the late nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. The struggle to become accustomed to a new society and culture can be ameliorated by the help of others who have gone through the same experience. In The Book of Unknown Americans, Hernríquez explores the idea of compassionate aid with an immigrant family, the Riveras. The Riveras are dependent on their benevolent neighbors who are also immigrants. Without the help of other immigrants, the Riveras would never have lived a comfortable life nor adapt to American culture. The help of assimilated immigrants is necessary for the assimilation of new immigrants in a new