My thesis examines the aspects of the New Negro embodied today in Undocumented Latino Immigrants. Because I am looking at contemporary youth activism in comparison to the Negro youth of the New Negro movement, interviewing undocumented youth and exploring interviews in newspapers has been a staple in my research. I have found that, while fervor over the Dream Act, a bill that would allow a path to temporary citizenship for undocumented immigrants under thirty that wanted to attend college or enter the military, increased and then subsided in its failure, the spirit of the undocumented youth persevered. Many who had "come out" and exposed themselves have taken a new initiative, fighting for the rights of their people by risking their own security. In a New York Times' article entitled, "After a False Dawn, Anxiety for Illegal Students" by Julia Preston, an undocumented youth, Ms. Aguilar commented on the universal fear of "your name being attached with "undocumented" and then there is always this fear of being deported". However, many youth are pressing up against this fear, exposing themselves, asserting their undocumentedness and becoming spokespeople for the cause. Although, the Dream Act failed, many youth are maintaining high spirits like Ms. Aguilar because, as she says, "I think losing the shame overshadows the fear...I'd much rather clarify to the public that being undocumented is just a circumstance I find myself in. I'd much rather have that out in the public than just living in fear." Ms. Aguilar represents a new attitude and movement of undocumented immigrants, specifically college youth, who are resisting against the presumption of fear and vulnerability assigned to undocumented individuals. Whether than waiting to be exposed, and criminalized by white society, they are exposing themselves adopting a self-assertive, proud, and confident attitude much like the New Negro.
Like the New Negro, these undocumented students represent a shift in self-determination and racial expression. There is a new display and embrace of one's self, despite the mantras repeated to it by white society. Undocumented youth embody the hope and autonomy of the New Negro, paving the road for themselves, when dominant society won't give it to them. The New Negro, exists in many forms today, but can be seen rising up in undocumented youth activism around the country.
