Buck, my mom was the first in her family born in this country, and her
mom died from complications of that birth. When she was 13 her dad died
of silicosis because workers were cheaper than dust collectors (it took
a Union to change that attitude). But one thing my mom remembered: Her
dad's attitude, even as he was dying, was that coming to America was a
better choice for them than staying in the old country.
Were they exploited? Probably. But then, they were being exploited
even more in the old country. In their minds they got the better end of
the deal - they were in America. Their family could continue and do
well.
As I say, the determination it took for my grandfather to get his family
to America was substantial.
Buck Calabro wrote:
America's strength has always been her immigrants and the energy and
hard work they bring to America.
You'll forgive me if I, a child of immigrants, hold a somewhat more
cynical opinion. America likes immigrants because they're cheap and
easily exploited. I can't think of a single exception going all the
way back to the very first Europeans, who brought indentured servants
with them as well as enslaved the inhabitants they found.
Columbus' journal on the very first day in the West Indies notes the
natives would make good servants, remarking on their docility. This
is not a judgment against European morés in the 15th century. It is
what it is.
But the capitalist drive to reduce costs by exploiting illegals exists
all over the country, not just in the packing plants and farms.
Here's a breaking story on exploitation in the tourist (hospitality -
HAH) industry in sleepy upstate NY.
http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=636517&category=REGIONOTHER&BCCode=HOME&newsdate=11/6/2007
http://preview.tinyurl.com/2adktf
