Americas intolerant history - Essay Example

Impression Paper Chapter America's Intolerant History A Historical Overview of American Intolerance The chapter gives the detailed deliberationof the American history and a basic impact of American ideology. The chapter clearly defines how the reformations gradually took place to give the shape to the present society. It clearly gives a panoramic view of American intolerance. The chapter has given minute details about the sufferings of women, and non-WASP communities especially of immigrants. It clearly indicates the attitude of the native Americans and their feeling of supremacy and dominance. The chapter defines how marginalized groups achieved success after years of oppression, strife and resistance. The chapter gives the view of struggle that envisaged success inspite of the fact that it was years of tolerance of these communities and now they are able to enjoy the fruits of it. The contented feeling of these communities help America to be on the road of metamorphosis for equality and togetherness and also the feeling of belongingness. The chapter provides the documented facts through history that proves the authenticity and the truth that this chapter embraces. It discuss out the social reforms, religious reforms and racial harmony that took an era to get stabilized and to get the present vision. The chapter also concludes with the most significant act of defiance against intolerance the civil right movement of the twentieth century. The chapter signifies- WASPs- initially the most significant portion of the population comprised of White Anglo- Saxon Protestants who had four main values defining ethnicity: a. The brief democracy that promoted equality, freedom and individualism b. A brief in private economic enterprise and success c. A brief in the Protestant branch to the Judeo-Christian religion d. A belief in secularism defined by rationality, progress and scientific advancement. The chapter provides the details of intolerance of WASPs for those who do not follow their regulations. The Native Americans, Mexicans and African Americans were given the bottom category in the social hierarchy, whereas, , groups with less physical distinctions received greater acceptance (Purpura, 2000). WASPs were the main stream in establishing the early economic, political, social and religious foundations of America. The non-WASPs were pressurized to conform traditional culture and learn English and abandoning opposing cultural values. The chapter implies the established laws and quota for immigration, resulted in discrimination against individuals who were least like the WASPs in appearance. The chapter also implicates the Nativism which depicts that the European Protestants established themselves as the "native core" of US they were openly hostile to the cultural influences of other immigrant groups. They also found that useful and cheap labor is provided by immigrants. They observed themselves as the true Americans. Those immigrants who did not embrace Protestantism were ostracized and reminded of their inferiority by the action of nativist mob. These mobs were fiercely protective of all cultural values that they considered to be truly American and included anti-immigrants leagues, the various manifestations of the Ku Klux Klan and political parties such as Know Nothings (Perry 2000a). The chapter presents the fact that after Revolutionary war nativism, or practice of protecting the indigenous culture through conscious effort, began to take hold. Programs and policies were developed so as to encourage non-WASPs to adopt WASP values and traditions. It also envisage that 1800s onsets the scientifically justified racial ideologies that further supported the WASP- held negative perceptions of immigrants. The chapter highlights WASPs believed themselves to be inherently superior- physically, culturally, intelligently and politically. The chapter emphasize WASP-based political movement centered on a hatred of Catholics, Jews and other recent immigrants, like Irish, Italians and Germans. The nativist movement extended into the twentieth century. This was further supported by National Union for Social Justice (NUSJ) founded by Father Charles Coughlin in 1930s through radio broadcasts. It was even present at the highest levels of the federal government. The chapter also gives the view of Eugenics Movement-WASP pseudo-scientific justification of their treatment of groups deemed inferior look took a decidedly sinister turn. The sterilization had a support from U.S Supreme Court. It defines the pitiful situation of the women of immigrants and also the condition of WASP women. It gives the Witch Hunts and Religion- the Purtians had fled England to avoid persecution for their fanatical practices yet they were intolerant to anyone who did not strictly subscribe to Puritan practices. Modern anti Semitism was epitomized by Nazi-instigated Holocaust. The Islamic faith has been a relatively new arrival to US. Many Americans continue to associate the fundamentalism of Muslims with violence, believing that most follower will do anything for their faith and are therefore targeted for violence. The chapter gives the impression that homosexuality was not accepted and now even today it is related with the church mythology and gains no acceptance. It gives the view about the Hate groups Americans have used hatred as a common bond. And recognized Ku Klux Klan as hate group. It gives the impression of the violence and cruelty showed by the native Americans in schools and also in different public places Latinos ironically have historically been discriminated against in the same fashion experienced by other immigrant groups. The Chinese were first to arrive from Asian origin and they served as the labors only Japanese could gained a bit honor and respect. African Americans they were forced for slave trade and as servants. They were humiliated and out casted and were rarely protected by law enforcement of the courts and always get race-based punishment. The most significant turn in the history of African Americans came during Civil Rights Movement when black liberalization started and this was contributed by other minorities facing oppression of the whites. With the Civil Rights Movement brought many revolutionary changes, a product of collective psychology that witnessed the common people shedding fear and forth rightly establishing their willingness to force change on their own but it also brought violence. Students actively integrated movement for integrated schools and sit-ins continued. The chapter indicates the dominance and supremacy shown by the Americans over any other community in all aspects may be it is the ideology for life or logic and rationale thinking. They show their incomparability and rigidity to follow religion, social norms, culture and even regulations for women. The chapter gives the clear impression about American Intolerance towards opposition and non willingness shown towards their opinion, judgments and dogmas. Thus, this chapter is a definitive impression and reflection of American Intolerance towards other racial and humane facts and motives and intends. Reference: In The Margins Special Populations and American Justice, Chapter 1, Reid, C. Toth, Gordon A. Crew, Catherine E. Burton, Pearson Education, Inc, 2008 Read More