In order to prepare for our upcoming work with Ellis Island and the Save Our History Project, this week's blog asks you to consider some ways in which modern-day immigration is affecting politics, culture and economics in the United States and, more specifically, New York City.
1) Read
"Immigrants make up 40 percent of New York City's population"
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2000/jul2000/nyc-j31.shtml
and one of the following articles:
a) Topic: Immigrant workers rights
"Two cases reveal wretched conditions for immigrant laborers in New York City"
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2000/jan2000/nyc-j19_prn.shtml
b) Topic: Immigrant experiences on Staten Island
“On Staten Island, Without a Lifeboat”
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/26/nyregion/26staten.html?_r=1&n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/Subjects/I/Immigration%20and%20Refugees&oref=slogin
c) Topic: Rudy Guliani's immigration policies as mayor of NYC and his postion on immigration as presidential nominee
“Romney blasts Rudy's immigration stance as NYC mayor”
http://www.examiner.com/printa1040442~Romney_blasts_Rudy
2. Summarize each article, identitfying the major issues and conflicts immigrant populations face in modern US society. Discuss the perspectives each author presents on these matters. Take and defend a position on at least ONE of the conflicts you identified in your summaries.
3. Answer the focus question: As a nation comprised mainly of migrant cultures, what are are just expectations and regulations for immigration?
Minimum 200 words, please respond to at least one other post.
Due Friday, 12/7
1) Read
"Immigrants make up 40 percent of New York City's population"
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2000/jul2000/nyc-j31.shtml
and one of the following articles:
a) Topic: Immigrant workers rights
"Two cases reveal wretched conditions for immigrant laborers in New York City"
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2000/jan2000/nyc-j19_prn.shtml
b) Topic: Immigrant experiences on Staten Island
“On Staten Island, Without a Lifeboat”
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/26/nyregion/26staten.html?_r=1&n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/Subjects/I/Immigration%20and%20Refugees&oref=slogin
c) Topic: Rudy Guliani's immigration policies as mayor of NYC and his postion on immigration as presidential nominee
“Romney blasts Rudy's immigration stance as NYC mayor”
http://www.examiner.com/printa1040442~Romney_blasts_Rudy
2. Summarize each article, identitfying the major issues and conflicts immigrant populations face in modern US society. Discuss the perspectives each author presents on these matters. Take and defend a position on at least ONE of the conflicts you identified in your summaries.
3. Answer the focus question: As a nation comprised mainly of migrant cultures, what are are just expectations and regulations for immigration?
Minimum 200 words, please respond to at least one other post.
Due Friday, 12/7
14 comments:
In these two articles the talk about the same thing immigration “40 percent of the city's 7.4 million people are now foreign-born.” Wow I thought it would be a lot more since we are all immigrants, I know that we are Americans and that most of our parents are born and raised here in America but to be honest no one is American unless you are native. “Two lawsuits were filed over the past week against several grocery stores, drug chains and delivery service companies charging them with violation of minimum wage laws. The suits, one by the New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer and the other by the National Employment Law Project (NELP), a nonprofit group, were brought about after the discovery of conditions faced by a number of West African immigrants working as deliverymen.” Here’s a piece of an article that I found very funny, because they are only charging them on low wages not on the drug point. I am just wondering what in the world have we all came to because if any one likes it or not we are all immigrants and most of us don’t want to work and get paid low, they and we should get paid the right amount , and just stop with all racist jokes. I feel that all immigrants should stand up for their rights and should not let them take their nation level down for example when any one makes a Mexican joke. That is putting down their race
Matthew Bowlin
Samantha Goon
Block A
December 6, 2007
"Immigrants make up 40 percent of New York City's population" was about the rapid growth of immigration in the city. Sources say that their has been a high rate of immigration from all over the world. "...This has meant an almost incredible jump in the percentage of foreign-born New Yorkers, from 28 to 40 percent, in less than ten years." New York has one of the largest percentages of diverse immigrants in the world. The second article I read was "On Staten Island, Without a Lifeboat." This article was mainly about the poor immigrants that are becoming homeless because they can't afford a house. Staten Island has a high percentage rate in the New York City area, to have a large amount of poor people. The immigrants on Staten Island mostly live in the North Shore, but the poor people don't want the governments help. I believe that there are many poor people living on Staten Island, but they don't need help from the government. If they come here from different countries, then they should know that they need money to survive. It's not anybodies fault, but themselves. As Matt stated, an immigrant has many expectations to expect. Racism, money, power, and getting a job is expected. Other people will always get in your way, but ignore them and you'll succeed. Sometimes there are places where different races stay in their own community. Not to be judgmental or racist, Staten Island is divided into two sections, the North Shore and South Shore. The North Shore is usually the Hispanics and lower-class, and the South Shore is usually whites with upper-class. If you ask anybody on Staten Island, they'll tell you the same thing. It's just a fact.
Good evening my funky friends of csi,
Over the years, America has changed culturally, economically and politically, being a free country and all. People from all over the nation decided to change their life for the better. Citizens in America are allowed to be free, wouldn't everyone love that?! Well, immigration is great for the people; however, immigrants are taking the jobs of people already living in America. About forty percent of America is filled with immigrants. Immigrants don’t mind being paid lower than an average American, and that's how they have been stealing the jobs away. Also, just in New York there are already three "china-town's" in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Queens. Immigrants are taking over whether it’s good or bad is all in your decision. I feel it’s great for the people; although, America is beginning to become over-populated and before you know it we are going to have a child limit as China does. America has its own problems being in the war, we should take care of ourselves before continuously letting anyone else in. Regarding New York City the amount of poverty has been growing drastically, especially in the Queens and in Brooklyn. Staten Island, the middle-class borough is starting to suffer as the other boroughs. Immigration has been affecting our country, even in the small towns like Staten Island. "The word poverty in New York City usually conjures up images of abandoned lots or drug-infested housing projects in the most blighted sections of the Bronx or Brooklyn," (On Staten Island Without Lifeboat; Leslie Kaufman). Agreeing with Samantha and Matthew, I feel race has no difference on who you are as a person. Being an immigrant shouldn't affect people's perspectives on America. As a nation comprised mainly of migrant cultures, we should accept all and not judge each other, although America is becoming very populated.
Love always and foreva eva,
Kristina Cats!
Ama Kwakye
Block A
December 6, 2007
Omygosh! I was so surprised that 40% of our populations are composed of immigrants! That’s crazy, I know that we are known as a melting pot but I didn’t think it was that many immigrants. It's a good and a bad thing because America is already over populated with millions upon millions of people. Many people immigrate to America for a better life, education, and JOBS! I have seen as well as many other that many immigrants that come to Staten Island don’t have homes nor jobs so they all they do roam around. Some of them find ways to survive by finding a way to make money. When people think of coming to America, they think they will come and become rich and live a rich life style but that doesn’t always work out for everybody. Imagrants come today with fake id and sometimes sneak into America. I don’t have a problem with immigrants because most of us were immigrants before we got here but we are now citizens. Immigrants do bring some of there ideas that were practiced from there countries to America. People complain and say immigrants come and take over our jobs. There are plenty of jobs out there that we can get but the immigrants are more aggressive and determined about it, that’s why some of them come to America. I look at it like this as long as no one touches you or bother you then you shouldn’t have a problem.
Qadeem G.,A Block
"Immigrants make up 40 percent of New York City's population" by Fred Mazelis explains the immigration of people into New York City and how the amount has rapidly increased.
According to Immigrants make up 40 percent of New York City's population,40 percent of the city's 7.4 million people are now foreign-born.Many of the people that make up New York came from another country of Europe,Asia,and Africa.Futhermore,over a hundred thousand people have immigrated to New York City over the past decade.Over the past decade,the number of people born in another country and now living in New York City has either doubled,tripled or quadrupuled.The number of immigrants since 1990 has risen from 28 percent to 20 percent,according to Immigrants make up 40 percent of New York City's population.
Many areas in New York City have areas where the majority of the people are of a certain ethnicity.For example,china town which is made up of chinese people some of which migrated from China.
"Two cases reveal wretched conditions for immigrant laborers in New York City" by Joe Tanniru
explains the different issues that legal and illegal immigrants face when they come to the United States.Some of the immigrants who aren't protected by the law are suing because they believe that their rights have been violated as laborers.Conversely,they have been mistreated by their employers in which they weren't given minimum wage and were subject to harsh conditions.However,some of the immigrants are afraid to speak out becuase they're afraid of being deported back to their country.Some of which were recieving less than 2 dollars an hour.Harsh conditions of immigrants especially those of whom are illegal immigrants seem to be subject to unlimited mistreatment.They're being manipulated becuase of their social status and it's inhumane.
Immigrants who come here illegally should be able to stay here or the government should make the process of obtaining U.S. citizenship should be made easier.Every human being has the right to live in this country becuase this land itself was taken from Natives.So who is the government to deny anyone rights to live here.If it's too difficult to become a U.S. citizen then by any means do whatever you have to but if you can become a citizen easily then abide by the laws.
Refering to what Matt said,I agree with you that immigrants should take a stand becuase they determine the quality of their life and if the quality isn't good then do what you must to make yourself heard!
Mike McSherry
After reading the both artciles on how immigrants make up 40 percent of New York City i was not shocked. In my town of the name of Great Kills many Russians have moved to the town. In fact there are some stores on my block that just have Russian letters. What shocked me was that problem some people have with paying the rent on the North side. Like the lady that lives in a 3 room apartment even though she ownes a restuat. Immigrats do have problem getting use to the American life, but that is because they lived in another part of the world. But all and all i do not think that immigarnts are not a problem in New York.
Kristina Sanzone*
A Block
12/6/07
WOW! Ama, I’m totally with you! 40% of our population being immigrants really does sound crazy and like an out of this world kind-of statistic. Fred Mazelis explained that New York City is the number one spot where immigrants want to go. It is causing this statistic to move quite rapidly in an increasing direction. Since New York has citizens from all over the world, it almost makes itself seem like a little free America in its own way and in many ways it is. For example, like Quadeem was saying, we do have China Town throughout the city. We accept people from all over the world. Quadeem said, “Over the past decade, the number of people born in another country and now living in New York City has either doubled, tripled or quadrupled.” That’s just absolute insanity! Everything in New York is already terrible overcrowded, and this is probably the reason why. However, Joe Tanniru explains to us that on the unfortunate side they do work very hard for money and have to live with ridiculous working conditions. Employers would beat his employees. Whether these immigrants are legal or alien, in my eyes they still deserve al least what they earn. While they know they should speak out, most of them don’t because they are terrified of the consequences that follow. An American citizenship is not something that can be done over night. Just about every single person that wants to live in America but does not have a citizenship (or not even an id on him) has to wait as long as it take so they can check off your documents or not.
"40 PERCENT OF THE CITY IS FORIGN BORN" IS A ARTICLE ABOUT THE STILL RISING NUMBER OF IMMIGRANTS IN NEW YORK CITY NOT ONLY ARE THEY GROWIN THEY ARE GETTING MORE JOBS AND THEY ARE IN ALL AREA'S OF NEW YORK INCLUDING BROOKLYN AND STATEN ISLAND IN MY OPINION CITIZEN THAT COME HERE WHETHER LEGALLY OR ILLEGALLY SHOULD HAVE THE SAME RIGHTS AS US OR MAYBE EVEN MORE BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT TO GET HERE THEY HAVE WORKED HARD AND THERE COMING TO ARE COUNTRY FOR A BETTER LIFE SO IN THE END ITS ALL GOOD.
The artical Immigrant experiences on Staten Island from the New York times, is discribing how immigrants on Staten Island are finding their living by creating ttheir own business. About 45 percent of Staten Island is poor says the New york Times. Most people think that immeigrants will be unemployed and poor. That is not the idea, immigrants are regular people and should have the same rights as everyone else. But that's not the case. Citizens make so much fun of immigrants and dont even know what they went through and they don't even care. So things needs to change. Immigrants should become citizens as soon as possible. Qadeem i agree with your statment that the gov't should deny anyone of citizenship.
The article "Immigrants make up 40 percent of New York City's population" by Fred Mazelis is about the rising amount of immigrants that come to America. These numbers have been rising and New York City is surrounded by diverse people who come from different cultures with different languages and beliefs. It’s amazing just to find out how the population of one area can just be from immigrants. This new increase in America has created a problem in the world with low wages for people. In the article “Two cases reveal wretched conditions for immigrant laborers in New York City” by Joe Tanniru describes how unfair many of the immigrants are being treated in America. Many store owners and businessmen are paying the immigrants far below minimum wage. A West African worker is paid only $1.25 on every delivery and makes about $60 to $120 including tips. Just because these people are foreigners, that doesn’t give store owners the right to violate the workers minimum wage laws. In another case, a woman was paid only $100 a month to send to her family and she was confined in a home as a house maid. The amount of immigrants have grown over the year but taking advantage of these people aren’t fair. They are trying to make a living and many of them come to America to find a better life. Overworking these immigrants for a low salary is unjust. As a nation comprised of many migrant cultures, I believe that there are just expectations and regulations for immigration. If people come to America, they should be given the opportunity this countries offers. There are regulations that must be followed like following the minimum wage laws. New York City seems to be over populated but we must accept other cultures into America.
I agree with Qadeem, every person has the right to live in this country and the government shouldn't deny people. This country is full of immigrants and we shouldn't hesistate to accept them.
Matt - S+ :thoughtful but doesn't directly respond to the focus question.
Sam - G- :clear and analytical, but your piece is inconclusive and doesn't answer the focus question.
Kristina - G: clear and to the point.
Ama - thoughtful but doesn't directly respond to the focus question.
Quadeem - G+ : solid analytical work. You are developing a strong journalistic voice!
Mike - N+ : the assignment asks for your to write at least 200 words and respond to another post.
Kristina - G-: thoughtful and detailed but would would justice for immigrants look like in your opinion?
Melissa - S-: DON'T USE ALL CAPS! WRITE AT LEAST 200 WORDS AND PLEASE RESPOND TO AT LEAST ONE POST!
Mac - S-: Thoughtful and accurate, but I'd like you to write a little more.
Kamilla - G: Detailed and analytica, but you never really got to the focus question.
Mariel Elia
I read the passages and I think that we American people should be honored that immigrants want to come into our country. I also agree that we don’t have many open soup kitchens like Manhattan and other locations. Their is nothing that we can do to stop the problem of immigrants only to build big fences around our country ; even that would probably not stop the over populating immigrants. You can also find homeless people everywhere. I do feel bad that in our society, we don’t have homes for them but sometimes it’s hard to please everyone. Immigrants are taking citizens jobs, but I do admit they are hard working. I think that off the book work of the immigrants should be banned and if people are picking these immigrants they should receive major fines. People will not break the law if the punishment increases. I think the major issue is that these people that don’t belong are taking jobs from other people who are trying to find one. To resolve this problem, the only solution is for jobs not to offer jobs to immigrants without green cards or working papers.
The first article talks about the growing number of immigrants comming to America. The first article states that roughly 40% of New York Cities population is inhabited by immigrants although this number can possibly be higher by now. The total number of New York residents that were born in a foreign area has increased from about 2 million in 1990 a large increase to 3 million today. This does not include 290,000 who were born in Puerto Rico. Although this article does not seem to see this growing immigrant rate as a nuisance, the article about immigrants in Staten Island seems to find immigrants as a reason for an increase in crime rate. According to this article, Some 45 percent of poor people on Staten Island are non-Hispanic whites. In my opinion, whether immigrants applied themselves or not, they would not be subjected to the same benefits as white Staten Islanders. Many people expect immigrants to act as if they are superior when in reality, major occupations such as dentistries are being overrun by immigrants. Also, many expect immigrants to stick with their own group which is somewhat true. How could you blame them, in most cases, people seem more at ease around their own kind. i disagree with Samantha Goon's statement that Racism, money, power, and getting a job is expected. Other people will always get in your way, but ignore them and you'll succeed. When living in a nation where immigration isn't dominant, majority always finds a way to gain more power. as in any point of history, majority always rules. although it isn't fair, there are some things that will never change
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