Oh say, does that star-spangled banner yet waver in the U.S.
When my section editor and I discussed the topic of immigration, I decided that I would not tackle the issue of strengthening laws or undocumented workers.
On the contrary, I wish to express why no one should choose to become a U.S. citizen. I do not hate America, but I do not love it either. Maybe if I was born in the 50s, I would have a different outlook.
But as a “millennial,” generation-X citizen of the U.S., I discourage anyone from moving to, “the land of opportunity,” because America is not a land of opportunity.
Nearly 37 percent of undergraduate students who graduated in 2013 have jobs that do not require a degree, such as bartending or waitressing, according to CNN. U.S. citizens cannot find jobs for which they are qualified.
Sure, an immigrant can jump through the broken hoops to get to the U.S. and find a job, but it is probably a job that U.S.-born citizens all think they are too good to do.
These jobs are all categorized by race, too. Are you Hispanic/Latino? You will probably work in landscaping or housecleaning.
Asian? Look for a nail salon or laundrymat to pay the bills.
Indian or Middle-eastern? You will probably own a convenience store or gas station.
But no matter what your native ethnicity, you can always open an ethnic cuisine restaurant.
The immigrant will have to deal with these racist associations on a regular basis; plus, if his or her “English not so good.”
They will have to deal with ignorant Americans mocking, complaining and questioning, “Huh? I CAN’T UNDERSTAND YOU.” (The immigrant is not deaf, and probably does not care if the American understands because unlike the American, the immigrant knows at least their native language completely and fluently.)
Sure, the U.S. is not that terrible. We drive on the right side of the road and use the imperial system. We spell football with two ‘o’s and play with a pigskin. We have a Starbucks on every corner and a McDonald’s where there is not.
It is no wonder that 11 million undocumented workers come here instead of Canada, where there is universal health insurance, and no Justin Bieber (for now.)
Disclaimer: the views expressed are not necessarily the view of the author and are meant to mock stereotypes, not offend.
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