Comparisons between illegal immigrants and colonists... [View All]

besides being pretty inane, are also counterproductive. In fact, any talking point that pushes the idea that the native Americans are "more native" than anyone else is just about as cogent a talking point as saying that might makes right. I understand the basic idea of whoever gets to a place first, suddenly "owns" it. But I think it's pretty archaic and doesn't apply to the modern world anymore, much less liberal ideas of humanity.

The first "natives" were displaced by later "natives" (the ol' might makes right). Indeed, I doubt there are any true "natives" anywhere in the entire world. But the whole idea of nativism is embraced by the right. The idea of being more "native" was pushed during the last campaign, with the "Real American" slogans. It's another way to divide "us" from "them". Retorting with the now tired talking point of native Americans is just playing their game of "purity". And the comparison with colonists/invaders also fits right in with the right's current view of illegal immigration. As the right believes, they are not immigrants, they are invaders here to create their own society and push out ours!

I have tried thinking of another comparison - since people seem so desperate to find one - to today's illegal immigration situation, but it's a very modern problem in the context of the US. There has always been illegal immigration, but never in such numbers or with the modern context of population and limited resources for the US. The only real comparison to look at is the issue of illegal immigration in other nations around the world.

The whole idea of "nativism" is incredibly archaic and conservative. It calls back to a time of "might makes right", tribalism, and stands in direct contradiction to liberal ideas of inclusiveness and equality. I think we should fight this idea not with tit-for-tats of who is more "native", which just reinforces the importance of being "native", but rather from the stance that we are all "natives" or we are all "immigrants". In the context of nation-states in which we all live, there are of course immigrants and natives in reality. But in terms of how we view and treat others, it's better to think in terms of humanity.