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.
I think your topic is awesome. I think it’s really neat that you were able to link the New Negro concept to undocumented Latino immigrants and that you mention the Dream Act. I know that the first attempt to pass the Dream Act failed, do you know if there are people that are still actively lobbying for it?
ReplyDeleteI think its gone through so many revisions and truncations that a lot of the followers have lost faith in that particular legislation. Also, they attached a military bill to the last one, and it seems that with each revision, its just getting closer to being a military recruiting bill, which defeats the whole purpose, and just allows the government to use people in war that it doesn't respect at home.Similar to how American treated the african american population in WWII.
ReplyDeleteI really hope that when this class is over that you can forward your paper over to me. If anybody knows me, they know that I support all undocumented immigrants. My father came into the United States with a dream of trying to build a new family with unlimited amount of opportunities. He faced oppression, racism, and all sorts of backlash because he was an immigrant. Thanks to his courageous spirits, who knows where I would be today. Ms. Aguilar does represent a new attitude and movement of immigrants that will fight for the rights and support of all immigrants. I believe that immigrants today are truly the best example of the “New Negro” in the United States. These individuals are trying to turn “hegemony on its head.” I just hope that more people will look into the demands and cries of undocumented immigrants. I mainly associate the “New Negro” with individuals that are brave, straight forward, and radical. With those characteristics individuals are most likely to stand up and fight for what they believe in.
ReplyDeleteBecca it is awesome to here more about your thesis. I clearly see the relation between undocumented Latino immigrants and the "New Negro" as you paint a very vivid picture of the shift they have created in their attitude. As Ms. Aguilar explains, she wants people to understand that not be documented is a "circumstance" but it is not HER. This idea of self- determination is very important throughout the journey of the New Negro and I can tell that it is important in the struggle for justice in the Latino community concerning immigration. You thesis sounds solid! I wish you the best of luck with your final paper!
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