Immigration and Colonialism
Immigrants usually have a positive view of the US, but in recent years, the idea that immigration is a form of reparations for colonialism has become popular. This article looks at the idea of immigration as a form of reparations and how it has become fashionable in some intellectual circles.
Noah Smith 🐇🇺🇦
Writes about economics, tweets about rabbits. For serious opinions/analysis, read my blog: https://t.co/KfUxUlCYPz
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This is a very unusual attitude among immigrants. Most have a very positive view about the U.S. and are excited about the opportunity of building a good life here, rather than seeing themselves as having been forced to move here by imperialism or colonialism. https://t.co/uYOSubDUIp
— Noah Smith 🐇🇺🇦 (@Noahpinion) March 11, 2023 -
But during the last decade, the idea that immigrants are forced to move here -- and that immigration is a form of reparations for colonialism -- has become fashionable in some intellectual circles. Here's a book advancing that thesis:https://t.co/OWtQsdnyg7
— Noah Smith 🐇🇺🇦 (@Noahpinion) March 11, 2023 -
To prove my initial argument, here is some data from the General Social Survey.
— Noah Smith 🐇🇺🇦 (@Noahpinion) March 11, 2023
Immigrants are as patriotic as native-born Americans, and naturalized immigrants are slightly more patriotic. pic.twitter.com/SY8O8bsH1x -
The second generation (kids of immigrants) are even MORE patriotic than their parents. pic.twitter.com/rCTA1rmofF
— Noah Smith 🐇🇺🇦 (@Noahpinion) March 11, 2023 -
The same pattern holds true when you ask alternative questions. pic.twitter.com/sOk8tVGAox
— Noah Smith 🐇🇺🇦 (@Noahpinion) March 11, 2023 -
Anyway, here are lots more similar graphs of answers to different questions. All display the same pattern: Immigrants, and their kids, are highly patriotic, and on average are a bit more patriotic than the native-born.https://t.co/R04J9K8OxF
— Noah Smith 🐇🇺🇦 (@Noahpinion) March 11, 2023 -
Obviously everyone has a right to feel any way they like, and of course America needs to work hard to be a country worthy of immigrants' pride. But immigration in general is done out of optimism rather than resentment.
— Noah Smith 🐇🇺🇦 (@Noahpinion) March 11, 2023
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