Entering the Conversation

1. To distinguish it from others throughout history, Charles Bowden (p. 1014) calls the wall between Mexico and the United States “our wall.” What else does he suggest through the use of “our”? How does the barrier made by the wall compare with the “world-wide welcome” (l. 7) promised in “The New Colossus” (p. 998)? Or with the “process of national definition” (par. 15) that Gordon undergoes at Ellis Island? How can we reconcile as expressions of our national identity the values of freedom and security expressed by the Statue of Liberty on the one hand and the border wall and other barriers, both literal and figurative, on the other?

   Question

   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Entering the Conversation: - To distinguish it from others throughout history, Charles Bowden (p. 1014) calls the wall between Mexico and the United States “our wall.” What else does he suggest through the use of “our”? How does the barrier made by the wall compare with the “world-wide welcome” (l. 7) promised in “The New Colossus” (p. 998)? Or with the “process of national definition” (par. 15) that Gordon undergoes at Ellis Island? How can we reconcile as expressions of our national identity the values of freedom and security expressed by the Statue of Liberty on the one hand and the border wall and other barriers, both literal and figurative, on the other?
2. In his 1791 book, The Rights of Man, Thomas Paine made the following observation about America:

   If there is a country in the world, where concord, according to common calculation, would be least expected, it is America. Made up, as it is, of people from different nations*, accustomed to different forms and habits of government, speaking different languages, and more different in their modes of worship, it would appear that the union of such a people was impracticable; but by the simple operation of constructing government on the principles of society and the rights of man, every difficulty retires, and all the parts are brought into cordial unison.

   Today we might be amused at what Paine saw as great diversity in 1791. (We might note that even such a progressive thinker as Paine—perhaps ahead of his time, he was against slavery and for women’s rights—does not mention Blacks or Native Americans.) He could not imagine the great “melting pot” that America would become. Write an essay in which you examine the extent to which Paine’s observations hold true today.

   Question

   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Entering the Conversation: - In his 1791 book, The Rights of Man, Thomas Paine made the following observation about America:If there is a country in the world, where concord, according to common calculation, would be least expected, it is America. Made up, as it is, of people from different nations*, accustomed to different forms and habits of government, speaking different languages, and more different in their modes of worship, it would appear that the union of such a people was impracticable; but by the simple operation of constructing government on the principles of society and the rights of man, every difficulty retires, and all the parts are brought into cordial unison.Today we might be amused at what Paine saw as great diversity in 1791. (We might note that even such a progressive thinker as Paine—perhaps ahead of his time, he was against slavery and for women’s rights—does not mention Blacks or Native Americans.) He could not imagine the great “melting pot” that America would become. Write an essay in which you examine the extent to which Paine’s observations hold true today.
3. As Gordon wittily reminds us in her essay, America is known worldwide as a nation of immigrants. What is the lure of America? Despite hardships, why do people keep coming to the United States today?

   Question

   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Entering the Conversation: - As Gordon wittily reminds us in her essay, America is known worldwide as a nation of immigrants. What is the lure of America? Despite hardships, why do people keep coming to the United States today?
4. Angel Island operated as the immigration center in San Francisco Bay from 1910 to 1940. Sometimes called the “Ellis Island of the West,” it was the chief entrance point for immigrants from Asia, many of whom were detained for days, weeks, and in a few cases, years. Research the history of Angel Island and its significance for Asian Americans, considering the conditions of the center and taking particular note of the poetry that the detainees carved on the walls. Write an essay on Angel Island’s place in the story of American immigration.

   Question

   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Entering the Conversation: - Angel Island operated as the immigration center in San Francisco Bay from 1910 to 1940. Sometimes called the “Ellis Island of the West,” it was the chief entrance point for immigrants from Asia, many of whom were detained for days, weeks, and in a few cases, years. Research the history of Angel Island and its significance for Asian Americans, considering the conditions of the center and taking particular note of the poetry that the detainees carved on the walls. Write an essay on Angel Island’s place in the story of American immigration.
5. This Conversation explores not only the lure of America but also efforts throughout our nation’s history to stem the tide of immigration. How has this historical perspective influenced your views on the current immigration debate? Should we continue to expand inclusiveness? Should we restrict the number of immigrants that we accept into the country? Develop a position on the issue.

   Question

   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Entering the Conversation: - This Conversation explores not only the lure of America but also efforts throughout our nation’s history to stem the tide of immigration. How has this historical perspective influenced your views on the current immigration debate? Should we continue to expand inclusiveness? Should we restrict the number of immigrants that we accept into the country? Develop a position on the issue.
6. How does immigration in the United States today compare with that in other countries? Are other countries experiencing tension between their citizenry and people from other countries and cultures who wish to enter? Choose a foreign country and compare the immigration issues there with those in the United States.

   Question

   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Entering the Conversation: - How does immigration in the United States today compare with that in other countries? Are other countries experiencing tension between their citizenry and people from other countries and cultures who wish to enter? Choose a foreign country and compare the immigration issues there with those in the United States.
7. Paul Taylor, executive vice president of the Pew Research Center and co-author of the 2012 Pew Report “The Rise of Asian Americans,” writes: “Like immigrants throughout American history, the new arrivals from Asia are strivers. What’s distinctive about them is their educational credentials. These aren’t the tired, poor, huddled masses of Emma Lazarus’s famous inscription on the Statue of Liberty. They are the highly skilled workforce of the 21^st century.” Compare the issues and realities of immigration today with those of over a century ago.

   Question

   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Entering the Conversation: - Paul Taylor, executive vice president of the Pew Research Center and co-author of the 2012 Pew Report “The Rise of Asian Americans,” writes: “Like immigrants throughout American history, the new arrivals from Asia are strivers. What’s distinctive about them is their educational credentials. These aren’t the tired, poor, huddled masses of Emma Lazarus’s famous inscription on the Statue of Liberty. They are the highly skilled workforce of the 21^st century.” Compare the issues and realities of immigration today with those of over a century ago.