Despite the fact that the United States as we know it was founded by an immigrant population, it has become exceedingly difficult for modern-day immigrants to integrate into the population. This is partially due to the growing number of illegal immigrants in the country, some of whom seem hell-bent on making a bad name for the whole group. Although it can be agreed that they all began their tenure in this country as fugitives of a sort, the majority have whole-heartedly embraced the opportunity to leave their old lives behind and create a new and brighter future for themselves and their families in the U.S. But even outsiders who come to this country on the up-and-up have faced issues when it comes to being accepted into their new homeland. And a study reveals that Latinos seem to be getting the short end of the stick when it comes to stereotyping.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati conducted 2,150 random phone surveys of Ohio residents with the intention of discovering their perceptions regarding various groups of immigrant populations in the United States (including Asian, European, and Middle Eastern immigrants in addition to Latinos). Participants in the survey were given five criteria by which to judge these groups: conformity, dependence, intelligence, violence, and wealth. They were then asked to choose between two extremes in each category, one positive and one negative (rich or poor, for example) pertaining to each group. And the end results showed that Latinos received the lowest ratings across the board.
In addition, researchers questioned participants about the potential impact of growing immigrant populations, and which groups, if any, might have a significant influence on the future of our nation. Again, Latinos were viewed in a negative light, with the majority of respondents associating their expanding presence with a rise in crime and unemployment (attributes that were not associated nearly as much with other immigrant groups). What is interesting is that these attitudes are prevalent in a state that has one of the lowest influxes of immigrants in the nation. In fact, Ohio was chosen for the survey specifically because immigration has had little impact there.
Like most surveys, this one raises more questions than answers. Why do Americans, even those who are relatively unaffected by immigration, view the issue in such a negative light? And what has caused the Latino population to become vilified amongst other immigrant groups? Is it simply a proximity to Latin countries that makes the incursion of a Latin population more prominent in our minds? Or are these attitudes perhaps linked to the current discourse on immigration reform, which focuses largely on illegal immigrants from Latin American countries?
Maybe it has more to do with the prevailing stereotypes created in Hollywood. You don’t have to be a USA immigration lawyer to see that the influence of the media has had a marked effect on the overall perception of certain immigrant groups. The most likely explanation is a convergence of several factors, but the role the media plays in promoting an agenda and keeping the issue of immigration (particularly from Latin countries) fresh in our minds may be at the forefront of why Americans hold such negative views of Latinos.
If the media had such an impact on the public’s opinion of illegal aliens, then the public would view them as our economic saviors, as the epitome of the ideal American that we ourselves should try to emulate. We all know that Hispanics are just hard working people just trying make a better life for their families. The trouble is that myth is a creation of the propaganda machine the political class constantly foists upon us for over a decade. The trouble for the political class is their myth conflicts with the reality the public is faced with on a daily basis. The public sees the consequences to their unemployed family, friends, and neighbors of 7+ million illegal aliens holding non-farm, payroll jobs. They read every day of the Americans killed at the hands of illegal aliens; they find on the internet stories of the dark side of illegal immigration, the murders, rapes, child molestations, DUI deaths, and widespread criminal activity by people who simply don’t believe in the rule of law.
As Mexican author Jorge Castaneda says in his book “Mañana Forever,” the vast majority of Mexican people simply do not believe in the rule of law because of their interaction with massive corruption in the Mexican government. Mexican illegal aliens bring with them to the US their disdain for any law that would prevent them for getting whatever it was that they want.
It is the behavior of Hispanic illegal aliens and the loyalty of US citizens of Hispanic ethnicity toward illegal aliens instead of their fellow citizens that creates the negative perception of Hispanics. How can anyone expect any other outcome?