^Again, please tell me what fundamentally makes Mexicans different from Irishmen?^
That's a complex question. As you and ER have rightly pointed out, back in the late 1800s there wasn't much difference in attitudes and social status with modern illegal immigrants and impoverished Mexicans.
I think the real question is how did the Irish get past it? There's the obvious advantage of common language (most spoke English of a sort as a native tongue). Is it as easy as "blending in?" If "blending" was so easy for the Irish, why was the initial assimilation so difficult? Is it about the American environment? Was there more emphasis on "melting pot" instead of "salad bowl" in this country? Was there the same sense of entitlement that you see from Hispanic activists (among many others)?
I don't know the answers to these questions, but the answers would be useful.
Current Events » in reply to A less visible problem perhaps
Mexicans and Irishmen
The whole thread (34 posts)
- Seems the same people who dislike the Arizona law, also dislike the American flag.