[Applause] who is an American there’s a reason that
who is an American there’s a reason that
who is an American there’s a reason that my US history final exam this spring
my US history final exam this spring
my US history final exam this spring will ask me to tackle this question it’s
will ask me to tackle this question it’s
will ask me to tackle this question it’s extremely complicated upon hearing it my
extremely complicated upon hearing it my
extremely complicated upon hearing it my mind is instantly filled with dozens of
mind is instantly filled with dozens of
mind is instantly filled with dozens of further questions who decides who is an
further questions who decides who is an
further questions who decides who is an American how can this change my name is
American how can this change my name is
American how can this change my name is Sarah Jane O’Connor I’m a junior here at
Sarah Jane O’Connor I’m a junior here at
Sarah Jane O’Connor I’m a junior here at Deerfield Academy and my goal today is
Deerfield Academy and my goal today is
Deerfield Academy and my goal today is not to answer these questions but rather
not to answer these questions but rather
not to answer these questions but rather to explore why exactly they can be so
to explore why exactly they can be so
to explore why exactly they can be so difficult to answer the United States of
difficult to answer the United States of
difficult to answer the United States of America was essentially founded in 1776
America was essentially founded in 1776
America was essentially founded in 1776 when Thomas Jefferson drafted the
when Thomas Jefferson drafted the
when Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence but before
Declaration of Independence but before
Declaration of Independence but before mr. Jefferson was even born this land
mr. Jefferson was even born this land
mr. Jefferson was even born this land that is now now known as the home of the
that is now now known as the home of the
that is now now known as the home of the free and the brave began fulfilling its
free and the brave began fulfilling its
free and the brave began fulfilling its purpose in 1620 the famous Mayflower
purpose in 1620 the famous Mayflower
purpose in 1620 the famous Mayflower sailed english separatists to the shores
sailed english separatists to the shores
sailed english separatists to the shores of plymouth massachusetts and this new
of plymouth massachusetts and this new
of plymouth massachusetts and this new world was for the first time a place of
world was for the first time a place of
world was for the first time a place of refuge north america was becoming what
refuge north america was becoming what
refuge north america was becoming what now seems like a tired cliché a land of
now seems like a tired cliché a land of
now seems like a tired cliché a land of opportunity when mr. Jefferson published
opportunity when mr. Jefferson published
opportunity when mr. Jefferson published his declaration his words quickly became
his declaration his words quickly became
his declaration his words quickly became iconic we hold these truths to be
iconic we hold these truths to be
iconic we hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created
self-evident that all men are created
self-evident that all men are created equal that they are endowed by their
equal that they are endowed by their
equal that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights
creator with certain inalienable rights
creator with certain inalienable rights that among these are life liberty and
that among these are life liberty and
that among these are life liberty and the pursuit of happiness however one key
the pursuit of happiness however one key
the pursuit of happiness however one key part of mr. Jefferson’s words has
part of mr. Jefferson’s words has
part of mr. Jefferson’s words has shifted its meaning remarkably since
shifted its meaning remarkably since
shifted its meaning remarkably since 1776 when the Declaration was first
1776 when the Declaration was first
1776 when the Declaration was first published all men men all white men who
published all men men all white men who
published all men men all white men who owned property the United States was
owned property the United States was
owned property the United States was quite literally being built on the
quite literally being built on the
quite literally being built on the involuntary labor of thousands of slaves
involuntary labor of thousands of slaves
involuntary labor of thousands of slaves yet 250 years later all men now includes
yet 250 years later all men now includes
yet 250 years later all men now includes all people regardless of race gender or
all people regardless of race gender or
all people regardless of race gender or religion anyone can enjoy the privileges
religion anyone can enjoy the privileges
religion anyone can enjoy the privileges of being a citizen in this golden land
of being a citizen in this golden land
of being a citizen in this golden land of
of
of opportunity including life liberty and
opportunity including life liberty and
opportunity including life liberty and the pursuit of happiness being American
the pursuit of happiness being American
the pursuit of happiness being American does not speak to where you came from
does not speak to where you came from
does not speak to where you came from but rather where you will go however
but rather where you will go however
but rather where you will go however history itself speaks to a major
history itself speaks to a major
history itself speaks to a major contradiction of the phrase all men are
contradiction of the phrase all men are
contradiction of the phrase all men are created equal though a vast majority of
created equal though a vast majority of
created equal though a vast majority of US citizens today are the descendants of
US citizens today are the descendants of
US citizens today are the descendants of immigrants this country has held a long
immigrants this country has held a long
immigrants this country has held a long history of utter hostility towards
history of utter hostility towards
history of utter hostility towards immigrants and refugees today through
immigrants and refugees today through
immigrants and refugees today through exploring historic examples I hope to
exploring historic examples I hope to
exploring historic examples I hope to examine why exactly we’ve held such a
examine why exactly we’ve held such a
examine why exactly we’ve held such a resistance to foreigners I hope to call
resistance to foreigners I hope to call
resistance to foreigners I hope to call into question the all too common
into question the all too common
into question the all too common tendency to antagonize those who we
tendency to antagonize those who we
tendency to antagonize those who we consider other I’m going to start with a
consider other I’m going to start with a
consider other I’m going to start with a group that anyone who’s taking US
group that anyone who’s taking US
group that anyone who’s taking US history knows well the know-nothing
history knows well the know-nothing
history knows well the know-nothing party this group ironically referred to
party this group ironically referred to
party this group ironically referred to themselves as the American party and
themselves as the American party and
themselves as the American party and began as an anti-immigrant secret
began as an anti-immigrant secret
began as an anti-immigrant secret society in 1840s and 1850s the
society in 1840s and 1850s the
society in 1840s and 1850s the know-nothings had a primary goal of
know-nothings had a primary goal of
know-nothings had a primary goal of ridding the United States of immigrant
ridding the United States of immigrant
ridding the United States of immigrant and Catholic political influence and
and Catholic political influence and
and Catholic political influence and they achieve this by pressuring
they achieve this by pressuring
they achieve this by pressuring prominent political party officials to
prominent political party officials to
prominent political party officials to only elect native-born leaders those who
only elect native-born leaders those who
only elect native-born leaders those who know nothing’s later declined they left
know nothing’s later declined they left
know nothing’s later declined they left an indelible mark on US history by
an indelible mark on US history by
an indelible mark on US history by adopting an ideology directly counter to
adopting an ideology directly counter to
adopting an ideology directly counter to the words of our founding fathers
the words of our founding fathers
the words of our founding fathers soon-to-be President Abraham Lincoln
soon-to-be President Abraham Lincoln
soon-to-be President Abraham Lincoln addressed the know-nothings with one
addressed the know-nothings with one
addressed the know-nothings with one simple quote he stated we begin by
simple quote he stated we begin by
simple quote he stated we begin by declaring that all men are created equal
declaring that all men are created equal
declaring that all men are created equal when the know-nothings get control it
when the know-nothings get control it
when the know-nothings get control it will read all men are created equal
will read all men are created equal
will read all men are created equal except Negroes and foreigners and
except Negroes and foreigners and
except Negroes and foreigners and Catholics though the know-nothings
Catholics though the know-nothings
Catholics though the know-nothings declined pointed anti-immigration
declined pointed anti-immigration
declined pointed anti-immigration ideology continued in the United States
ideology continued in the United States
ideology continued in the United States namely with Chinese Exclusion in the
namely with Chinese Exclusion in the
namely with Chinese Exclusion in the 1880s industrial workers in California
1880s industrial workers in California
1880s industrial workers in California largely blamed Chinese immigrants for
largely blamed Chinese immigrants for
largely blamed Chinese immigrants for undercutting prevailing wage levels and
undercutting prevailing wage levels and
undercutting prevailing wage levels and thus endorsed immigration restrictions
thus endorsed immigration restrictions
thus endorsed immigration restrictions on the Chinese but their resistance to
on the Chinese but their resistance to
on the Chinese but their resistance to the Chinese went far beyond economic
the Chinese went far beyond economic
the Chinese went far beyond economic policy in fact the largest mass lynching
policy in fact the largest mass lynching
policy in fact the largest mass lynching in United States history was the Chinese
in United States history was the Chinese
in United States history was the Chinese massacre of 1871 in which 500 white men
massacre of 1871 in which 500 white men
massacre of 1871 in which 500 white men systematically tortured and hung 20
systematically tortured and hung 20
systematically tortured and hung 20 Chinese immigrants in revenge for
Chinese immigrants in revenge for
Chinese immigrants in revenge for Chinese man killing a local rancher none
Chinese man killing a local rancher none
Chinese man killing a local rancher none of the riders responsible for this
of the riders responsible for this
of the riders responsible for this Massacre were charged for their crimes
Massacre were charged for their crimes
Massacre were charged for their crimes an opposition to the Chinese only
an opposition to the Chinese only
an opposition to the Chinese only continued and became mainstream in the
continued and became mainstream in the
continued and became mainstream in the 1880s both major political parties
1880s both major political parties
1880s both major political parties included anti Chinese immigration
included anti Chinese immigration
included anti Chinese immigration ideology within their platforms and in
ideology within their platforms and in
ideology within their platforms and in 1882 Congress passed the Chinese
1882 Congress passed the Chinese
1882 Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act which served as to place a
Exclusion Act which served as to place a
Exclusion Act which served as to place a ten year moratorium on Chinese
ten year moratorium on Chinese
ten year moratorium on Chinese immigration although it’s clear that
immigration although it’s clear that
immigration although it’s clear that racial differences have been a key
racial differences have been a key
racial differences have been a key conflict all throughout US history these
conflict all throughout US history these
conflict all throughout US history these examples show systemic resistance to
examples show systemic resistance to
examples show systemic resistance to immigration and an ideology still
immigration and an ideology still
immigration and an ideology still present today native-born citizens
present today native-born citizens
present today native-born citizens exhibited a sense of entitlement to
exhibited a sense of entitlement to
exhibited a sense of entitlement to domestic jobs even if their ancestors
domestic jobs even if their ancestors
domestic jobs even if their ancestors had been immigrants just a few
had been immigrants just a few
had been immigrants just a few generations back opposition to
generations back opposition to
generations back opposition to foreigners continued into the 20th
foreigners continued into the 20th
foreigners continued into the 20th century the Chinese Exclusion Act was
century the Chinese Exclusion Act was
century the Chinese Exclusion Act was not repealed until 1943 and in the 1930s
not repealed until 1943 and in the 1930s
not repealed until 1943 and in the 1930s a poll asked US citizens a question that
a poll asked US citizens a question that
a poll asked US citizens a question that has a glaringly obvious answer today
has a glaringly obvious answer today
has a glaringly obvious answer today would we take in the victims of Hitler’s
would we take in the victims of Hitler’s
would we take in the victims of Hitler’s anti-semitism or reject them the results
anti-semitism or reject them the results
anti-semitism or reject them the results were clear 67 percent of those surveyed
were clear 67 percent of those surveyed
were clear 67 percent of those surveyed oppose taking in German refugees while
oppose taking in German refugees while
oppose taking in German refugees while only 26% favored the proposition similar
only 26% favored the proposition similar
only 26% favored the proposition similar sentiments from US citizens were shown
sentiments from US citizens were shown
sentiments from US citizens were shown during the Vietnam War in a poll 62
during the Vietnam War in a poll 62
during the Vietnam War in a poll 62 percent agreed with the following
percent agreed with the following
percent agreed with the following statement the Vietnam refugees will take
statement the Vietnam refugees will take
statement the Vietnam refugees will take jobs from u.s. citizens in a time when
jobs from u.s. citizens in a time when
jobs from u.s. citizens in a time when unemployment is up and that is wrong
unemployment is up and that is wrong
unemployment is up and that is wrong while worries about job security are
while worries about job security are
while worries about job security are present all throughout history and
present all throughout history and
present all throughout history and society today it’s important to note
society today it’s important to note
society today it’s important to note that in this historic example the
that in this historic example the
that in this historic example the notions of refugees coming to the United
notions of refugees coming to the United
notions of refugees coming to the United States and having jobs at all with
States and having jobs at all with
States and having jobs at all with Cena’s explicit
Cena’s explicit
Cena’s explicit wrong even if many of those surveyed
wrong even if many of those surveyed
wrong even if many of those surveyed were related to immigrants like this
were related to immigrants like this
were related to immigrants like this just a few generations back this brings
just a few generations back this brings
just a few generations back this brings us back to my initial question who is an
us back to my initial question who is an
us back to my initial question who is an American and going further who is
American and going further who is
American and going further who is entitled to the rights and privileges of
entitled to the rights and privileges of
entitled to the rights and privileges of citizenship in the United States one
citizenship in the United States one
citizenship in the United States one such privilege being employment these
such privilege being employment these
such privilege being employment these examples I’ve discussed as expose a key
examples I’ve discussed as expose a key
examples I’ve discussed as expose a key but often overlooked tension in US
but often overlooked tension in US
but often overlooked tension in US history
history
history nativism versus inclusion while
nativism versus inclusion while
nativism versus inclusion while inclusion is the act of including many
inclusion is the act of including many
inclusion is the act of including many groups as one larger group
groups as one larger group
groups as one larger group nativism is defined as the policy of
nativism is defined as the policy of
nativism is defined as the policy of protecting the interests of native-born
protecting the interests of native-born
protecting the interests of native-born inhabitants against those of immigrants
inhabitants against those of immigrants
inhabitants against those of immigrants however if you read a few entries down
however if you read a few entries down
however if you read a few entries down in the dictionary nativism s another
in the dictionary nativism s another
in the dictionary nativism s another definition specifically pertaining to
definition specifically pertaining to
definition specifically pertaining to philosophy this reads the theory that
philosophy this reads the theory that
philosophy this reads the theory that concepts mental structures and mental
concepts mental structures and mental
concepts mental structures and mental capacities are innate rather than
capacities are innate rather than
capacities are innate rather than acquired by learning when considering
acquired by learning when considering
acquired by learning when considering nativism the ideology that led groups
nativism the ideology that led groups
nativism the ideology that led groups like the know-nothings to political
like the know-nothings to political
like the know-nothings to political prominence it is critical to consider
prominence it is critical to consider
prominence it is critical to consider both of these definitions nativism
both of these definitions nativism
both of these definitions nativism exists through the idea that one group a
exists through the idea that one group a
exists through the idea that one group a native-born group is inherently superior
native-born group is inherently superior
native-born group is inherently superior to all foreigners with that superiority
to all foreigners with that superiority
to all foreigners with that superiority being something that is innate rather
being something that is innate rather
being something that is innate rather than acquired by learning nativist
than acquired by learning nativist
than acquired by learning nativist thinkers champion an ideology that today
thinkers champion an ideology that today
thinkers champion an ideology that today is more commonly known as racism the
is more commonly known as racism the
is more commonly known as racism the belief that no efforts can equalize two
belief that no efforts can equalize two
belief that no efforts can equalize two groups and that upward social mobility
groups and that upward social mobility
groups and that upward social mobility essentially cannot exist for a group
essentially cannot exist for a group
essentially cannot exist for a group that is inherently lesser than another
that is inherently lesser than another
that is inherently lesser than another throughout history nativism has existed
throughout history nativism has existed
throughout history nativism has existed as a reaction often in fear one of
as a reaction often in fear one of
as a reaction often in fear one of immigrants of different ethnic and
immigrants of different ethnic and
immigrants of different ethnic and religious backgrounds being more
religious backgrounds being more
religious backgrounds being more successful than native-born citizens
successful than native-born citizens
successful than native-born citizens however it is impossible to deny that
however it is impossible to deny that
however it is impossible to deny that immigrants and refugees
immigrants and refugees
immigrants and refugees have been as much a part of the fabric
have been as much a part of the fabric
have been as much a part of the fabric and history of the United States as
and history of the United States as
and history of the United States as native-born citizens if we think back to
native-born citizens if we think back to
native-born citizens if we think back to the words of Thomas Jefferson all men
the words of Thomas Jefferson all men
the words of Thomas Jefferson all men are created equal it’s clear rejecting
are created equal it’s clear rejecting
are created equal it’s clear rejecting foreigners is fundamentally on American
yet the United States has made
yet the United States has made tremendous strides in the 20th and 21st
tremendous strides in the 20th and 21st
tremendous strides in the 20th and 21st century to more fully express the words
century to more fully express the words
century to more fully express the words of our founding fathers a hundred years
of our founding fathers a hundred years
of our founding fathers a hundred years ago women did not have the right to vote
ago women did not have the right to vote
ago women did not have the right to vote people of color were victim to explicit
people of color were victim to explicit
people of color were victim to explicit systemic inequality and LGBTQ
systemic inequality and LGBTQ
systemic inequality and LGBTQ individuals would have to wait nearly a
individuals would have to wait nearly a
individuals would have to wait nearly a century for the right to marry but the
century for the right to marry but the
century for the right to marry but the remnants of nativism are ubiquitous in
remnants of nativism are ubiquitous in
remnants of nativism are ubiquitous in the United States today
the United States today
the United States today our current president plans to build a
our current president plans to build a
our current president plans to build a wall to Bob to block Mexican immigration
wall to Bob to block Mexican immigration
wall to Bob to block Mexican immigration into the United States capitalizing upon
into the United States capitalizing upon
into the United States capitalizing upon the claims that Mexican immigrants are
the claims that Mexican immigrants are
the claims that Mexican immigrants are stealing jobs entitled to Americans the
stealing jobs entitled to Americans the
stealing jobs entitled to Americans the same individual advocates extreme
same individual advocates extreme
same individual advocates extreme vetting of refugees focused on Muslims
vetting of refugees focused on Muslims
vetting of refugees focused on Muslims and has attempted to ban immigration
and has attempted to ban immigration
and has attempted to ban immigration from seven muslim-majority nations this
from seven muslim-majority nations this
from seven muslim-majority nations this man and many of his supporters claim
man and many of his supporters claim
man and many of his supporters claim that their actions are in the interest
that their actions are in the interest
that their actions are in the interest of protecting the United States making
of protecting the United States making
of protecting the United States making it stronger safer and dare I say it
it stronger safer and dare I say it
it stronger safer and dare I say it greater however they neglect two key
greater however they neglect two key
greater however they neglect two key facts first Mexican immigrants
facts first Mexican immigrants
facts first Mexican immigrants contribute 11 billion dollars to the
contribute 11 billion dollars to the
contribute 11 billion dollars to the United States economy and welcoming
United States economy and welcoming
United States economy and welcoming refugees has been proven to foster
refugees has been proven to foster
refugees has been proven to foster economic development in small-town
economic development in small-town
economic development in small-town America I call upon all Americans to
America I call upon all Americans to
America I call upon all Americans to remember the words of Thomas Jefferson
remember the words of Thomas Jefferson
remember the words of Thomas Jefferson once again we hold these truths to be
once again we hold these truths to be
once again we hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created
self-evident that all men are created
self-evident that all men are created equal
equal
equal despite our tattered history it’s hard
despite our tattered history it’s hard
despite our tattered history it’s hard to argue with what these words are
to argue with what these words are
to argue with what these words are supposed to mean for the United States
supposed to mean for the United States
supposed to mean for the United States today Americans are not one nationality
today Americans are not one nationality
today Americans are not one nationality or race but rather a unique blend
or race but rather a unique blend
or race but rather a unique blend of cultures and traditions brought
of cultures and traditions brought
of cultures and traditions brought together under a common goal of liberty
together under a common goal of liberty
together under a common goal of liberty and justice for all this nation was
and justice for all this nation was
and justice for all this nation was founded on a fundamental principle of
founded on a fundamental principle of
founded on a fundamental principle of equality but the extent of those
equality but the extent of those
equality but the extent of those included as equal has shifted
included as equal has shifted
included as equal has shifted dramatically throughout our history
dramatically throughout our history
dramatically throughout our history inevitably it can and should continue to
inevitably it can and should continue to
inevitably it can and should continue to shift as we enter a new political era
shift as we enter a new political era
shift as we enter a new political era let us not forget the Liberty upon which
let us not forget the Liberty upon which
let us not forget the Liberty upon which this nation was founded let us not
this nation was founded let us not
this nation was founded let us not forget the words etched beneath the
forget the words etched beneath the
forget the words etched beneath the Statue of Liberty in New York give me
Statue of Liberty in New York give me
Statue of Liberty in New York give me your tired your poor your huddled masses
your tired your poor your huddled masses
your tired your poor your huddled masses yearning to breathe free the wretched
yearning to breathe free the wretched
yearning to breathe free the wretched refuse of your teeming Shores send these
refuse of your teeming Shores send these
refuse of your teeming Shores send these the homeless tempest-tossed to me I lift
the homeless tempest-tossed to me I lift
the homeless tempest-tossed to me I lift my lamp beside the Golden Door let us
my lamp beside the Golden Door let us
my lamp beside the Golden Door let us keep this nation a place of refuge for
keep this nation a place of refuge for
keep this nation a place of refuge for the tired and the poor just as it was
the tired and the poor just as it was
the tired and the poor just as it was for the pilgrims in 1620 let us not
for the pilgrims in 1620 let us not
for the pilgrims in 1620 let us not forget that all people are entitled to
forget that all people are entitled to
forget that all people are entitled to life liberty and the pursuit of
life liberty and the pursuit of
life liberty and the pursuit of happiness as Americans thank you
”
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