Seeking Refuge Amongst Hostile Host Environments
Although the media’s pitiful portrayal of migrants may be to incur sympathy, these stereotypes often only present a single story of the immigrant, creating stereotypes that portray immigrants as pitiful and burdensome. Ultimately, the topic of immigration is discussed involving all perspectives expect the ones that really matter: immigrants themselves.
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20th century Jewish refugees are a well-known demographic that has received global awareness due to their persecution in WWII. However, this intense scrutiny has negatively influenced citizen perceptions of immigrants as a whole. Media portrayal of Jews as desperate waves of foreigners created feelings of alarm and fear, instigating harsh views from US citizens who regarded Jewish immigrants as a liability and threat to American society.
The American public "despised the masses of poor immigrants who flocked to the United States, including the East European Jews, and regarded them as a threat to the American way of life and mode of government." (Jewish Learning) |