Mirror Sites:
CSUDH - Habermas - UWP - Archives

California State University, Dominguez Hills
University of Wisconsin, Parkside
Created: November 24, 2004
Latest Update: November 24, 2004
jeannecurran@habermas.org
takata@uwp.edu

Families Caught Up in The dominant Discourse of Immigration

Proximity to borders and changing patterns of dominant discourse about immigrants cause considerable pain to those who have little experience in exercising their voice. Dominant discourse does not view immigrants as a monolithic group. Those who immigrate as professionals, as corporate executives, are noted, but rarely seen as a threat. The corporate executive or the professional isn't likely to be competing for my job.

Immigrants who come in droves to take the jobs that are deemed "less attractive," like agricultural field work or housework, are also noticed, but again, not seen as a threat, for they aren't likely to be competing for my job.

Dominant discourse notices mostly the communities in which migrant workers gather, neighborhood in which immigrants congregate, where cultural differences in shopping, in relaxing, in playing with the children, keeping the children under some kind of control, stand out as "different" from middle class malls and hangouts.

And, then, as the communities prepare their young to study in school, to move on to college, to move into the middle class, well, not they are likely to be competing for my job, and now I notice, and now prejudice and discrimination rear their ugly heads.

Now visible stigma, like color of skin, type of hair, body image, distinctive clothing (like the veil or head scarf or any scarf), carry a certain threat of displacing my job, my ways, my spaces. And now, these stigma suddenly become noticeable to me, even amongst people I was used to as part of "my world" before this influx of so many people different from me. The dominant discourse begins to see the visible stigma as metaphors fro the threats I feel to "my world."

Now I really have to rethink the dominant discourse. Where are the voices I need to hear in good faith? Where are the differences that I hear repeated, that cause me to reject Others I do not know? Where is the harm that all this causes? How shall I know?

Awareness. Listening in good faith. A topic we hope to cover in the Naked Space Exhibit of Spring 2005.

In Message No.1676, Regina Lauron wrote:

Jeanne..in regard to msg #1649, i read it and am a little bit confused. one idea expresses sympathy with immigrants and then the other idea re-evaluates dominant discourse after realizing the visible social stigmas that can actually come off as threatening to one's job position. is that a close interpretation?

Jeanne answered in Message No. 1690:

Regina, I see what is confusing about what I wrote. But I was trying to clarify that in the beginning when immigrants migrate in large numbers and take jobs that carry very low status, dominant discourse tends to be very accepting of their presence in our country. Only later, as their children grow, and many of them move up into the solid working class, become citizens, vote, and send their children to college, does the issue arise that thier children now compete with our children. Then, dominant discourse is likely to pick up the prejudices once ascribed the immigrants of lower status jobs and apply them to the ones who are moving into assimilation.

So you have at first acceptance, when the immigrants have nothing I want but their work, then you have the beginnings of assimilation and leser acceptance as the immigrants begin to vie for the same resources I want for myself and my own family.

Maybe I could put it like this: I could be nice to my housekeeper who does the work I don't want to do; but I might be prejudiced against her daughter, who has just been appointed my daughter's supervisor. Now, someone else whose son supervises the whole division, might still not be prejudiced against the young woman who is my daughter's supervisor. But when the new vice president of his companty is the son of my housekeeper, maybe more prejudice will slip into dominant discourse.

Prejudice and discrimination don't ususally rear their ugly heads until the exploited minority begins to assimilate and move into competition for economic and social success with the privileged. And there are different privilege levels all along the way.

Does that help? jeanne

Peter Aguilera wrote in Message 1705:

Jeanne, I can see what you are saying. Its kind of the old "it doesn't hurt til its close to home" kind of mentality. People claim to be accepting until it effects their lives. I know people who will have friends and friendly acquaintances of every color, but if one of their children fell in love with someone of a different ethnic background, they would become unglued. In the same light, I know people that are tolerant of and even friendly with gays and lesbians, but have disowned their children when they came out of the closet. I think the conservative dominant discourse thrives on this kind of thinking. Just last night after Thanksgiving dinner, there was a discussion in my extended family about mixing ethnicities in marriage. I was proud of my aunt who ended the discussion by saying, "I don't care what color or even gender the person my daughter falls in love with is...as long as they are good to her and she is happy, that's good enough for me." Her objectifiers fell silent. I realized she transformed some of the swaying middle views in the room to be a bit more accepting. I thought to myself, "It has to start somewhere." I'm glad she spoke up.

Sabra Trevilla in Message 1709:

Hey Peter, This is Sabra from Soc 328, It is true it doesent hurt until it is close to home. I am in a bi-racial marriage and have been in it for 5 years as of November 20, 2004. My husband is Mexican and I an African America. I did not think nothing of us going out mainly because we are both considered minorities but even today people cant believe we are together. Every time we go to grocery stores, to the movies, even restaurants and we stand in line together he could be in front or myself they always ask me can I help you and I tell them oh we are together. Most of the time it is other hispanic people that give us a second look or females that give me a bad look but I dont really care. My huband and I have a wonderful relationship, I know he cant be black and he know I cant turn spanish. That is not the reason we are together I love my husband and I accepted him the way he is and he me. No ethnicity does not matter when you are in love I agree with your aunt TOTALLY!!!!!

My family love my husband all of them accepted him. His parents dont speak English well but they have accepted me too. I guess on either side our families know we are happy together and that all that matters. We still get looks today we are use to it but it has not changed our relationship one bit. Sabra's take on the issue from expirience !!!!

In Message No. 1717, Jason A. Miller wrote::

I took the Bogardus Scale survey, I came to a conclusion that I have absolutely no problem (actually I would enjoy) living and socializing with immigrants. I always have been eager to soak up the culture of other peoples. However, Jeannie, I must admit, I am not so eager to live next to the homeless.

The face of homeless people has changed for me. Instead of streets filled with single mothers and babies, many of the homeless are schizophrenic mental patients. The constant badgering and wierd run-ins with them makes me want to live far away from the homeless -- not closer.

Jeanne answered in Jason Miller in learning records of 367:

Jason, this tells us something about dominant discourse and the homeless. "homeless" has come to mean just not working, or not trying hard enough, and probably on drugs. We have pushed out of awareness what Reagan did when he closed the mental hospitals. Shon Williams, a graduate student in 595, is doing a project in the exhibit on the homeless. Make it a point to connect with that exhibit, and share ideas for change with us.

In Message No. 1730, Pedram Soleimani wrote::

America has always been a nation of immigrants and the immigrants have always been met by the people who got here just before them with clubs in their hands and menial jobs for them to do. It seems to be a never ending cycle of one group coming through the immigrant experience and then trying to oppress the group that follows them trying to do the same thing. Will we ever get over being afraid of the "other" in our society? I don't think anyone has the answer to that.

Jeanne answered in Pedram Soleimani in Message No. 1731

Pedram, that is the way it's always been, but the way it's always been isn't the way it has to be. There is power in unity; there is power in transforming the dominant discourse and bringing it to awareness level. It's easier to do that if you have lots of money and can commandeer some of the media. But you can't commodify answerability and respect and awareness of the Other. We can learn to change the way it's always been. I have to believe that. It's my ontological hope.
jeanne

Sabra Trevilla answered in Pedram Soleimani in Message No. 1741

What you said is true but just like jeanne said we have to start somewhere. Who is willing to make a difference? Who is willing to change that? Are you willing? Well I am. My husband was or is a immigrant from MEXICO. He is now a Permanent Resident and in January 2007 he will be a citizen. In order to make a difference what we have done as a couple is to help his other family memebers get their paper work. So far we have helped his sister with hers. We are not rich but we want to start a legacy with our family and we want this to be passed on to the generations to come. We will leave no one out that need the help. By paying 5,000 for his sisters paperwork to go through she is now able to work and support herself. In this way we are making sure that we help educate, guide and give support to those who are less fortunate. Do you remeber the saying that says " If you teach a man to fish he will not go hungry because you were able to teach him a skill that will keep him from starving."

Well it's something like that. My point is we have to stop talking and start demonstrating. This is something that I am very passionate about so if it seems like I am coming on strong I am sorry. This subject just hits home for me but I am glad to share it with you. Sabra Soc 328

* * * Resources:

• The Bogardus Social Distance Scale A long-recognized scale for measuring the extent to which we accept Others into what we perceive as "our" community.
• Backup of Article on families broken up by deportation.

---

---

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Individual copyrights by other authors may apply.