Racist Jersey?

by: Juan Melli

Sun Jul 29, 2007 at 08:47:06 AM EDT

I don't usually like having to spell out what words mean, but with a provocative title like that, in this case it might be necessary. Racism, as defined by Merriam-Webster:

1: a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race.

A recent Monmouth University-Gannett poll on immigration asked respondents whether immigration by certain groups has been good or bad for the state. I doubt most New Jerseyans have the capability to do the research and statistical analysis to determine which groups have had a net "good" or "bad" effect on New Jersey or have any other meaningful evidence to arrive at such a conclusion.

And yet, these were the results to such a question, based on a sample size of about 400:

I'm going to ask you about specific nationalities that have been coming to New Jersey. For each, please tell me if immigration from this country has been more of a good thing or more of a bad thing for the state?
Good Bad Diff

Poland 62% 11% (+51)

China 57% 14% (+43)

Phiippines 51% 15% (+36)

Dominican Republic 43% 24% (+19)

Mexico 42% 34% (+8)

Colombia 38% 33% (+5)

The results are striking. They vary from +51 net positive for Polish immigrants to only +5 for Colombians. Clearly these differences can't be attributed to statistical noise. Nor do I think they are significantly based on any rational evidence or analysis. Being able to determine an entire group's impact on a general population is not a simple problem. So how can we explain these numbers?

Many Polish immigrants came to New Jersey during a major wave of immigration between 1880 and 1925 that also swept in Italians, Greeks and Hungarians. A few decades before that came the Germans and Irish (notice they're not in the poll). On the other hand, immigration in the last 50 years has been dominated by - you guessed it - Asians and Latinos.

It may not be conscious or overt racism, but our state's relative unfamiliarity with newer immigrants must be a factor in these more negative views towards certain ethnic groups. And it would be naïve to pretend that's not the reason some find it so easy to scapegoat entire groups.

This isn't a new problem. Most immigrant groups have probably experienced similar difficulties gaining acceptance as they assimilate into the general population. But we should be able to recognize what is driving our collective response - and accept that on some level, that might be racism. I don't necessarily believe that makes someone a bad person - to a significant degree, that could just be human nature. But if we can't come to terms with that reality, we won't be able to make rational choices about our immigration policy.

Juan Melli :: Racist Jersey?

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Racist Jersey? | 9 comments

Brown is the new Pink! n/t (0.00 / 0)

activist for hire.

by: Jay Lassiter @ Sun Jul 29, 2007 at 13:49:54 PM UTC

attitude change (0.00 / 0)

A really interesting part of this research is the current positive view of Chinese immigrants. Remember that not so long ago there were specific laws barring Chinese immigrants (unless of course they were "migrant workers" building railroads or digging mines) and vigorous anti-Oriental racism. Hispanics are now the "new" Chinese, I guess--that, too, will probably change, and another group will be lowest on the totem pole. I wonder if the study inquired about immigrants from Africa or India--and if so, what the results were.

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." (Teddy Roosevelt)

by: DottieG @ Sun Jul 29, 2007 at 14:04:16 PM UTC

Untitled (0.00 / 0)

I would agree that racism probably is a factor for many people who oppose an immigration plan such as Pres. Bush proposed. But not everyone who opposes it does so because of racism.

P.S. I believe anyone who says racism doesn't exist is either misinformed or not honest.

by: tracey @ Sun Jul 29, 2007 at 16:33:36 PM UTC

racism and ignorance (0.00 / 0)

Racism and ignorance go together and some of the results here can be explained in that light. I'd have been interested to see results if they had asked about Italian immigrants or Irish immgrants, for example. Since many in the state are themselves decended form those groups (and presumably, not as ignorant about their impact on the state) that might be revealing.

by: westcoast @ Sun Jul 29, 2007 at 17:15:57 PM UTC

Because of "them" (0.00 / 0)

Why is NJ short of money?
Because we give too much money to "them".
Why do urban school need state support?
Because "they" are unable to use money properly.
Why are people looking for jobs?
Because "they" are working for cheap and take all the jobs "real" Americans should have.
Racism is alive and well and is the real terror facing this country. Only the US Suprme Court belives racism does not exist.

by: sosonj @ Sun Jul 29, 2007 at 23:24:48 PM UTC

legal versus illegal (0.00 / 0)

A great majority of people do make a clear distinction between legal & illegal immigrants. & even on that matter, 2/3rds of Jerseyans want to offer a "clear path to citizenship.

by: Wesleylake @ Mon Jul 30, 2007 at 00:44:44 AM UTC

Well (0.00 / 0)

I wrote a short history of how "we" have treated "them" since "we" arrived here. But it would not preview or print.

So, I would simply like to remind folks that we are all illegal immigrants or descendents thereof. The only people with a legitimate claim to citizenship in continental America are, you guessed it, Native Americans.

Having such a claim doesn't mean much, however. Look at how "we" have treated "them." Try reading about the "Trail of Tears," among other atrocities.

But there is revenge of sorts. So, if you really want to support America, don't worry about Iraq, sick vets, sick kids, sick education, sick outsourcing.

Support America by going to Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun!

Jeebus, our country is falling apart and we fret about people who pick lettuce, tend lawns and empty bedpans. SOS, did you loose a job to one of these people?

by: SmartyJones @ Mon Jul 30, 2007 at 01:01:21 AM UTC

Sad but true survey (0.00 / 0)

Latino immigrants, and specifically Mexicans, are stepped on time and time again in this country.

Case in point: In Colorado, to protest and anti-immigrant ordinance in a town, a homeowner place an Italian flag outside of his home to show that he is proud of his heritage and that we all (or almost all) have ancestors who came from outside of America. And some xenophobic punks destroyed the flag and vandalized his house - because they thought it was a Mexican flag - which, as you know, has the same colors as the Italian flag (plus the guild in the center)

And plus - if we are so concerned about terrorists, why not build a border on both sides of our border - the would-be Space Needle bomber was crossing the Canadian border FYI.

"Give me a lever long enough... and I shall move the world." - Archimedes

by: mconvente @ Mon Jul 30, 2007 at 04:57:18 AM UTC