By Rosa Evans
Let’s Start with Some Truth
Words have power. They can be used to elevate or destroy people. Repeated often enough, they have real-world consequences. We are seeing the damage and turmoil that the current political rhetoric is causing. This type of language isn’t anything new. It’s the same type of language that has often been used in the history of the United States by those seeking to gain power and control. Time and time again throughout our history, immigrant communities and minority groups have been at the receiving end of this rhetoric.
History Keeps Repeating
History has shown us that these same narratives keep repeating. In the late 1800’s, California saw an influx of Chinese immigrants making their way to America. Leaving behind everything, they arrived here looking for opportunities and a better way of life. They were met with fear, suspicion, and hate. This fear, often disseminated by those in power and the media, painted this group as a threat to Californians. The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was enacted as a result. It restricted immigration of Chinese into the US with a 10- year ban on Chinese laborers. The fear mongering often resulted in violence towards Chinese and Asian-born immigrants.
Fast-forward to the 1940s, when Mexican immigrants were the main topic of discussion. During World War II, the Bracero Program was intended to be a win-win situation that brought in laborers during a labor shortage. However, the story changed after the war. These workers, who had been indispensable, were suddenly branded as “illegals” if they wished to remain. The term “illegal” became popular and is still used often, which feeds prejudice and false narratives.
Not to be forgotten is the Know-Nothing Party of the 1850s, which specifically targeted German and Irish Catholics. The movement of this party was to “uphold traditional American ways” and they saw these groups as a threat to this idea. Their message was loud and clear. They were not welcome.
Media: The Double-Edged Sword
The media has often played a role in spreading these harmful narratives. We’ve seen the newspapers and other publications and outlets disseminate prejudice and harmful banter. As the primary sources of information in the past, this resulted in the spread of fear and hate. Mexican laborers were cast as “illegal,” and Chinese immigrants were vilified.
Hate crimes, defined as a criminal act that is motivated by prejudice or bias against a person’s race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other protected characteristics, have been on the rise over the past decade, with spikes between 2020 and 2022, according to the Public Policy Institute of California.
With the 2024 election ramping up, so is the damaging rhetoric. Statements like “Build the wall,” “They’re coming by the thousands,” and even worse, that immigrants are “criminals” and “rapists.” are being broadcast to the masses. These are hateful seeds that sprout into deeds, not just words. And those deeds? They have been devastating to minorities and immigrants.
The Reality We’re Facing Today
Today’s conversation is just as divisive, and it’s having a real impact on people’s lives. It’s easy for politicians to sow fear with phrases like “Build the wall” and “They’re coming by the thousands.” Those comments are hurting real people who just want to live better lives.
In California, where immigrant populations are vital to the state, this attitude is especially striking. Farmworkers, who are already doing some of the toughest jobs out there, now have to worry about their safety and future. This isn’t just about politics; it’s about human lives.
When leaders use dehumanizing language, it gives the green light to those looking for an excuse to act on their worst impulses. The hate spreads from the top, and we are seeing the results with the increase in hate and racially motivated crime.
Choosing a Better Way Forward
Just as words can destroy, words also have the power to heal and uplift. Politicians, the media, and yes, even regular people like us, have the ability to reject the rhetoric. We can push back against divisiveness and hate.
Wrapping It Up
Words have the ability to significantly influence public opinion and, as we have seen, even legislation. The past has shown us that allowed to fester, political rhetoric can and will continue to divide and stoke fear among us. It’s time to “Stop the Hate.”
This resource was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library via California Black Media as part of the Stop the Hate program. The program is supported by a partnership with the California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to https://www.cavshate.org.
References and Further Reading
- Boundless Immigration: “Illegal Immigration is Not an Invasion”
- BU Pardee School of Global Studies: “The Anti-Immigrant Movement in the United States”
- Britannica: “Know-Nothing Party”
- Ethnic Media Services: “With Escalating Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric, California Farmworkers Fear the Future”
- U.S. Department of Justice: “Hate Crime Statistics”
- Public Policy Institute of California: “Immigrants in California”
This resource was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library via California Black Media as part of the Stop the Hate Program. The program is supported by partnership with California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of theStop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.
Rosa I. Evans is a marketing strategist and founder of Tridyn Creative Media, specializing in branding and digital marketing. A first-generation American from a Mexican immigrant family, she grew up in West Texas, where challenges of poverty and cultural duality shaped her empathy and resilience. Rosa is dedicated to empowering others with innovative tools for growth and success.
