Patrick J. Lyons (2019)
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/22/us/birthright-citizenship-14th-amendment-trump.html
As exemplified in this article by Lyons (2019), this proposed policy change/ change to the amendment can be viewed as a large gesture. It could also be said to represent the idea that cultural threat still exists from the presence of children who are born in the United States. This certainly exemplifies the realistic group conflict idea, as the thought of babies gaining citizenship through their birthplace carries the assumption that they will have legitimate claims to the resources of their birthplace. This article emphasizes the idea that the political nature of the implications is that the children who gain citizenship have certain abilities and rights due to that citizenship, such as access to resources and the eventual ability to attempt to have family members gain citizenship. The article also goes on to mention that these rights are the same as any citizen – a portrayal of similarity between all citizens. Drawing from Zárate et al. (2003), the emphasis of the similarity of rights here may not serve any benefit towards the reader’s feelings towards the similarities of the individuals, especially since the similarity of special rights of citizens might further the concern of cultural threat – that it may be impactful on culture to have individuals who are similar in their rights be different in their cultural background.
(B)
Michael Anton
There is no empathy expressed towards the people who do give birth in this country and whose children do gain citizenship this way. The people are described as doing this in a way that exploits or should embarrass the country.
(C)
“Illegal immigrant arrested in deadly Oregon crash fled to Mexico after jail didn’t honor ICE hold request” by Travis Fedschun (2019) provides a prime example of a situation where contact between immigrants and law enforcement – and the public’s response, can be impactful. This interaction is likely to increase prejudice as the individual is represented as an example of an issue of immigration, rather than a complex person to sympathize with. According to Pettigrew et al. (2011), prejudice, anxiety, trust, forgiveness, and many other aspects can be influenced by contact. This example will likely not promote positive outcomes and opinions.
I really enjoyed your essay! I thought it had many insightful pieces of knowledge. I particularly liked how you guys brought awareness in the article about the car crash and how by stamping “illegal immigrant” on to a human it automatically triggers a prejudice response for some. It almost strips away their identity and instead of their acts being illegal, it makes them as a human illegal and thats just sad and wrong.
I like how you wrapped up the first point with “that it may be impactful on culture to have individuals who are similar in their rights be different in their cultural background,” because I think it really drives your point home. As for the last example, you mention that this person was involved in a deadly car crash then mention that there is a lack of ability to sympathize with that person who caused another person to lose their life. Obviously, it is more complicated than the summary I just provided, but overall I would find it hard to sympathize with someone who caused loss of life of another person, regardless of their status.
the connection to the article you chose and the article mentioned are top notch. It is an interesting and thoughtful way to think about these issues
I like the example used in part C. The actual crime that occurred had nothing to do with the fact that the suspect was an undocumented immigrant yet, the news highlighted the fact that he was. This a clear indication that this news source wants to spread a narrative that demonizes undocumented immigrants, and increase prejudices against that demographic.