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Is Opposition to Immigration a Subtle Form of Racism?
Immigration has always been a contentious topic. However, beneath these arguments lies a deeper question: could resistance to immigration sometimes act as a subtle signal for racial bias?
Is Opposition to Immigration a Subtle Form of Racism?
Immigration has always been contentious, often framed around economic priorities, national security, or cultural identity. However, beneath these arguments lies a deeper question: could resistance to immigration sometimes act as a subtle signal for racial bias?
Decoding the Dog Whistle
A “dog whistle” refers to language crafted to seem harmless or neutral but conveys specific, often controversial, messages to a particular audience. In immigration debates, specific phrases — like “defend Western values” or “protect our borders” — may sound reasonable on the surface but often tap into nativist or xenophobic attitudes without directly mentioning race.
A History of Exclusion
The history of U.S. immigration policy reveals long-standing racial underpinnings. Laws like the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and…
