Category: Discussion Board 7

According to the readings and films, we see that the description of a citizen and the citizenship process was created by the white people. This system was created to benefit the Europeans because back then the being “white” was considered the ideal American. This system favored the Europeans and an example of this would be the questionnaire Asians would have to fill out to prove their loyalty to this country. The Europeans did not have to do this questionnaire and  this proves how the system favored Europeans and treated other minorities different. Today I feel anyone can acquire a citizenship but to be considered a citizen you’d have to contribute to your country and live under the country’s rules. When I say contribute to the country an example of that would be paying taxes or getting a job. This what I feel a citizen should be considered as, although a lot of people do these things but aren’t considered a citizen and is treated unfairly. This is a fault of our country and hopefully we can see change in the neat future.

In the reading, the case of Ozawa reveals that societal concepts of race stand above all over ideas of a “true” American when looking at citizenship. Depsite presenting as a “paragon” of the naturalized American citizen, Ozawa was still denied status as a White man and as a citizen. Ozawa declared that he had married a woman who attended American (as opposed to Japanese) schools, spoke only English at home so that his children would not learn the language, and that he wanted only to repay “Uncle Sam” and the grace that America had shown him. Despite these penultimate displays of patriotism and Ozawa’s argument that Japanese people were physically as “white” as “White” people, the court still ruled that Japanese people were not White and could not become citizens. Ozawa revealed to the world that the court now classified Caucasians only as true white people and possibly citizens. In Thind’s case, only a few months later, being Caucasian did NOT allow him to be a white man and a citizen. As a “high caste Hindu” man, despite being technically classified as Caucasian, and by the logic of Ozawa, therefore white, Thind was denied citizenship. This made it clear that citizenship was linked to a sociological concept of whiteness, rooted not in science but in sheer belief and the fabricated history of race.

 

Belonging and being a citizen are fairly different things in the public eye. Today, I think that citizenship is defined as someone who does not present as being TOO “ethnic” and who can conform to American norms of being a good, upstanding citizen: speaking English without an accent, working in a “respectable” more white collar job, with children/family who are also integrated into American systems of schooling, work, etc. Citizens look and act the part of an American. I think this is true because many people’s perceptions of who deserves citizenship isn’t necessarily true to the reality. With retorts like “speak English” milling about and ideas of “illegal aliens” lumbering over border walls and things. People do seem to believe that being a law abiding citizen who pays taxes, contributes to the American way, and says the pledge of allegiance, hand on heart defines what a citizen is. However, I disagree, since the law is not necessarily always correct. Laws overlook concepts of race, class, gender, mental and physical disabilities, etc.

 

 

After reading and watching these pieces it was obvious that the criteria for citizenship was created by a biased white system that was built to solely benefit European white men and women. “White” being the standard and even ideal citizen. Personally, this information did not come as surprising but only solidified y thoughts on immigration and citizenship. The Loyalty questionnaire stands as a great example of the bias within the government in terms of citizenship.

Citizenship today is still as difficult and lengthy as ever. Especially under Trump’s administration, many good people fear for their livelihoods. In my opinion, there has to be a bias within the immigration system. Citizenship should be granted and rewarded to true, hard working people regardless of race and origin.

I learned that from the 1930s to 1950s Japanese Americans were in internment camps where they weren’t allowed to do what they want and the way they were treated wasn’t like citizens and are kinda familiar to slaves back then. They were required to follow the rules of the united states. In the film, it talks about if they didn’t follow the rules they will be an arrest, violence, attacks, murder, separation, and discrimination.

I think in today’s world who live and work in the United States are citizens. Anyone can be a citizen in the United States of America. To be here we are apart of this country and having freedom. That citizenships are not only being a person it means having the freedom to do things that are your privilege.

From the readings and the films, we learn that the criteria for citizenship are about white people and rarely include POC leading to them having to prove that they meet the criteria for citizenship. An example of this was the loyalty questionnaire that Asians had to fill out whereas Europeans didn’t even have to bother. This shows an inherent bias and preference towards Europeans which had blindsided America for years and shows that from the beginning we were truly never the diverse country we tout ourselves to be in today’s modern era.

As for what defines “citizenship” today, I believe it means to be anyone who lives in the US and follows the laws as a law-abiding citizen should. As to what it means to belong here, I usually associate it with living here so having a house and a job. In my opinion, the definition should be a person who lives here and abides by the law. There is plenty of people who fit that criteria yet they’re not citizens when clearly they should be more than other actual citizens of the United States. As to what it means to belong here, it means that you follow the rules and pay taxes just like everyone else.

Through the readings and the films we have been looking over in class the reoccurring theme seems to be that “whites” are the only true American citizens. The rest who can not be classified as “white” are mainly seen as their own race or less than a citizen (I believe that one of the readings referred to it as a “second class citizen”) which in all honesty is just ridiculous. The main criteria needed is to be Caucasian/European since it was decided that skin color alone couldn’t prove anything. I feel as though not much has changed in regards to the social definition of citizenship because things such as discrimination, racism and more are still very apparent in modern day. Many people are under the false impression that because their a certain race they are more American than someone who might be considered different. Rather than seeing everyone in America who lived here or became part of the society as an American, society continues to separate us based on actions and cultures. It shouldn’t matter what culture you follow for someone to be considered an American citizen yet it still happens where we are all divided. It shouldn’t be like that because we all live amongst each other and being hateful towards each other based on something stupid like race is just a waste of time. People are not defined by their race or culture specifically because there is much more to people then that. However the current government in the U.S does not help to search for a solution but rather it drives many more apart giving the feeling of superiority to some and allowing the mistreatments of others with only the idea of superiority supporting their actions. This is not how citizens should be treated, every citizen contributes to American society in some way or form and everyone should be treated equally. America isn’t perfect but with the path America is on now I wouldn’t be surprised at how many people will turn on it.

From reading and movies, the standard for U.S. citizenship seems to be “white.” It is hard to understand that a person’s skin color, whether he or she really gets citizenship or not, is the basis for the decision. Ozawa said he has white skin and is entitled to get citizenship because he has lived in the United States for more than 28 years. The court, however, said in an absurd expression that Ozawa cannot be considered white due to a lack of evidence that he is white. I can define today’s “citizenship” that people who are respect this country and pay taxes, work here and have settled down in the United States for a long generations should be able to have right. There should not be an irrational definition of separating citizenship into race skin color.

After reading and watching the video, I did one giant sigh and eye roll because although the information was shocking I am embarrassed to say I was NOT surprised at all. It’s literally no secret that the United States acts like some high end exclusive club where only the elite are able to enter. And by elite I am literally referring to your traditional white (or white passing) cis men and women. Since its inception as a country (post 13 colonies) it the USA literally acts for lack of a better term “brand new”. Ozawa story also gave me the same feeling of “wow, how am I not surprised” Especially when he when there was mention of the Supreme court identifying “Asian Indians” as Caucasian ( information I was not aware of prior to reading this.) This bit really bothered me because it immediately  made me think of the article we read earlier about the model minority and even something similar happening in the Darien school system with integration of more minority students but chosing “Asian” students because the closely resemble white students. Completely associating phenotype with racial categories really have existed as a pillar of power for so long yet it still shocks me that we are still doing this. In hindsight, the united states also seems extremely insecure and paranoid now that I am reflecting on Ozawa’s story. The extensive questionnaire  really reminded me of what interrogation was like on Angel Island.

The whole issue of country of origin and naturalization in terms of European immigrants also was interesting to read. Mentioned before in class even with European immigrants there was the social class heirarchy. I’m referring to the Irish immigrants (along with Scotland as well) because of their colonization at the hands of Great Britain  (who btw is responsible for 62 independence days ya’ll so let that sink in.) So even if they were eligible for naturalization, social turmoil between different European groups very much still existed. For example between Irish immigrants in comparison to other European immigrants or between polish immigrants and german immigrants because of the occupation of nazi Germany.

I find it funny that people south of the Texas border have so much trouble becoming immigrants but someone from a different continent can become naturalized (Melania, her parents etc). If you are employed and contributing to the US economy, i’m not quite sure why you shouldn’t be eligible for citizenship regardless of skin color, country of origin, religion, etc. If you are paying taxes and your children are enrolled in school and you are making positive contributions, it shouldn’t be difficult. This is what’s so puzzling to me. Majority of the citizens here aren’t indigenous to this land ancestral wise. Many “aliens” “undocumented’ people contribute massively to labor, the work force etc. If by this logic because they are born south of the border or from a different continent than everyones citizenship and their parents should be brought into question hypothetically.

From on the reading and film, the criteria for citizenship appear to be “white”. Only if you are “white” then you are allowed to be a citizen and belong to the U.S. and that is why Ozawa sought to use skin color as his argument against the court stated that his skin are white however it rule out base on scientific diversion of race, because Ozawa is Japanese and Japanese is not caucasian therefore not white. And three month later, Thind who is an Asian-Indian and authority stated that Asian-indian is caucasian however they are not white based on “common knowledge of unscientific men”. Therefore, only those who are considered as white are able to be citizens. In the reading, “European immigrants group regardless of national origin had the right of naturalization” because European is more white than other skin color therefore has a right for citizenship. 

The social definition of citizenship is the right to share in social norms and heritage. To be able to learn and understand America and its history. In my opinion, The people who are considered to be a part of America are those who are in need of opportunities to succeed and do well in life. America is a country of freedom and I feel that if you are trying your very best to do well and succeed, you are a part of America. To belong here is to go along with social norms and function within America’s society. To learn and understand America’s heritage. The definition of a citizen should be based on how hard you work and should not be defined based on a person’s race.