What are Immigration and Nativism?

All human beings are native to someplace – it’s simply where we were born or raised. As human beings, we also have the right to stay in our own native land (or place of birth) or to explore or move about the Earth for reasons of our own and that are the best choice for us.  In fact, recalling that human life started in Ethiopia – nearly all of us are also immigrants or descendants of immigrants, too. Whether we’re staying in place, or moving to a new land, nativism is a form of oppression that asserts our native home and culture are better than others. Nativism limits our ability to form relationships with other people, engage in healthy cultural exchange, and it can even lead to murder and war. It creates a sense of inferiority and dehumanization for people who are victims, and sense of superiority for those who perpetuate it. Our native status is not a choice. And we all have an inherent desire to seek out opportunities, safe havens, and stability for ourselves and our families. Sometimes we can find those in our native place, but other times we can’t. When this happens, we have to seek safety, security, and opportunities elsewhere. No one should ever feel like they aren’t worthy of being a part of a community or have the ability to take pride in where they’re from or where they’ve moved to.

Institutionalized

Institutionalized nativism happens when it is the policy or practice of a group, business, organization, or government to treat people differently because of their immigration status, or makes cultural inclusion, or resident or citizenship requirements too difficult to achieve. 

Rejecting Nativism and Dismantling the Native versus Immigrant Lens

The first step in rejecting nativism is saying it’s not okay and dismantling the “Native versus Immigrant Lens.”

The Native versus Immigrant Lens assumes that people who are born in a particular place should have higher status within a community, and that those who are new or are immigrants should have to work harder or assimilate to the community in order to belong. Conversely, nativism can occur when immigrants themselves impose their nativist viewpoint on those who were there before them. Nativism creates an “us” and “them” viewpoint and assumes that the cultural traditions of one’s homeland are superior to all others. It assumes that cultural exchange is inherently bad and denies that cultural evolution – the emergence of new cultural traditions stemming from parts of many cultures – is the natural process of human evolution. It inhibits natural learning among people from all parts of the world, and can lead to stagnation, death, and decline of civilizations. It is often self-destructive.

Spectrum-Based View of Humanity

What Does Immigrant Actually Mean?

Migration is simply the act of moving from one place to another. Many species on Earth migrate. For example, many people are familiar with birds flying south for the winter. Monarch butterflies do the same. Whales migrate from their summer “homes” in the Arctic oceans to the warmer central oceans (like Mexico or Hawaii) in the winter to have their babies. Essentially, an immigrant is someone who moves from their place of birth or community of origin to another place. Just as birds have a reason for flying south, there are many reasons we might choose to migrate to a new place, too. It often depends on what is most important to us, or what we need to feel safe and secure at a particular time. When these needs are met in our native home, or we do not have these motivations, we might not choose to migrate at all. If these needs are not met, however, we may choose to move to a place where they are. These motivations often include:

• Being close to people we know or are familiar with, such as friends or family
• Accessing cultural opportunities and activities we enjoy
• Wanting to live in a place that has more human freedoms established, or that has policies and laws that are more in line with our beliefs
• To get a job or find housing that better meets our needs, or to take care of ourselves and our loved ones
• For the safety and security of ourselves and/or our families
• Because the natural environment is suited to what we enjoy or that we physically, mentally, or emotionally need to be healthy
• Because the built environment is more in line with what makes us feel good – for example, a large city, suburb, small town, or rural area
• For a fresh start
• To flee an area where we are no longer feel safe or have the ability to meet our basic human needs
• To explore a new area

When we define the word “immigrant” in our minds, we might think of someone who migrates from another country. However, people who move from another neighborhood, town, county, or state within the United States are also immigrants.

Native Status

At this point in time, all of us are native to someplace on Earth. Our native homeland is the place where we were born or where we lived and called home during our formative years. For some people this is a neighborhood or city, and for others this is a state or country. Still, others identity as simply being a native of the Earth. How we describe our nativity is completely up to us.

Guest Status

Some people feel an inherent connection to their place of birth or homeland and may never feel the urge to travel beyond their local community. On the other hand, some people enjoy exploring new places, visiting new communities, or experiencing other cultures. When we travel to new places as a tourist, explorer, researcher, student, or when visiting people we know, we’re a guest.

Just like when we’re a guest in other people’s homes, we maintain our personal boundaries, but we don’t try to impose our ways of doing things onto others. We’re there to learn, experience, and grow. If, however, we are unhappy visiting a place, we have the freedom to leave at any time. While we are there, though, we have a responsibility to respect the cultures, laws, and boundaries of that place.

Immigrant Status

When we choose to move to a new place and begin to set down roots with the intention of staying, we become an immigrant. We can be an immigrant in a new neighborhood in our own city, in a new city in our own state, in a new state in our own country, or in another country on Earth. In the future, we may even be immigrants on the Moon or other planets. In worst case scenarios, we may also find ourselves in a refugee or asylum status. This is when we are forced to flee our native homes and become an immigrant due to violence, political oppression, environmental challenges, economic instability, or war – among other reasons. Becoming an immigrant due to refugee or asylum status is often a life or death situation. Many people experience guest and immigrant statuses throughout their lives. However, we retain our native status regardless of where we travel or choose to call home in the future. 

Cultural Exchange and Evolution

When we encounter visitors or immigrants in our native land, or when we are a guest or immigrant in a new land, we have the opportunity to engage in cultural exchange. This is when we share our cultural traditions with one another, both as a guest and a host. In many cases this can lead to the emergence of new cultural traditions for ourselves that combine key parts of both cultures in the exchange. Over time, these cultural exchanges can become more ingrained in local communities.

Whenever possible, it’s generally considered respectful to acknowledge and credit the history and rationale for why a cultural tradition first came into place when we carry it forward. This helps to honor and acknowledge the people and cultural traditions of those that have come before us.

Cultural Borders

Cultural traditions are developed by people who live in a certain place at a certain time. These traditions are influenced by the natural environment, built environment, religious influence, political environment, technologies, and availability of food and water in that time and at that place.

For example, a place with limited water and vast grasslands might best support a culture and community that focuses on harnessing solar energy. Rules and laws in the area might be more restrictive around water usage simply because there isn’t much there. On the other hand, a place with vast farmland and plenty of water might be less likely to want solar farms in their communities because the land is best suited for animal farming and growing food.

Cultural borders tend to evolve naturally and are simply the geographic area that house a set of cultural traditions. They can be as simple as a block or a neighborhood, or as large as a defined country or an entire continent. Modern human advancements can also greatly expand cultural borders. This can include things such the internet, global trade, and multi-state/country unions like the United States of America, African Union and European Union.

Geographic or Jurisdiction Borders

Geographic borders allow us to create a jurisdiction, or a physical area in which certain rules, laws, customs, and cultural traditions apply to people within the geographic region. In the example above, it might make sense for there to be water usage rules in the place with limited water, but it wouldn’t make sense for those rules to apply in places where there is an abundance of fresh water.

In addition, some communities choose different government styles for their areas. Geographic borders can also help to establish guidelines depending on a person’s resident, guest, or citizenship status within that jurisdiction. While all people who live in a geographic area are residents, some jurisdictions distinguish between residents (people who live within the borders), citizens (people who are subject to the rules and laws of the jurisdiction and who have a say in the rules and laws of the jurisdiction), and guests (those who are visiting, but remain residents or citizens of another jurisdiction).

It’s important to note, geographic borders are not universal, which means there is no inherent or natural way for their development. Rather, geographic borders come into place when the stakeholders of a geographic area agree to them. In worst case scenarios, they come into existence through the use of oppression, genocide and war. 

Building Relationships as a Guest or Immigrant

When we’re new to a community, even if we’ve researched it beforehand, it can take some time to learn about customs and norms. Just as we would be respectful when visiting someone else’s home or apartment, it’s important to respect the cultures and customs of the communities we’re visiting or moving to. We can also do our best to put our best foot forward. That doesn’t mean we stifle our own cultural norms and personal boundaries, however. It simply means that we take the time to learn about and understand why things are the way they are for people who live there now.

It can take time to learn and understand the culture of a new place, particularly when we speak a different language. We often find learning the language of our new home is an important part of accepting and sharing culture. Communication comes in many forms beyond language, though, and finding respectful ways of communicating is something we all can do no matter what languages we use. 

We may come to find that local cultural traditions and norms work perfectly for us. If we become a permanent resident or citizen, we can also have a say in the rules, laws and cultural traditions that don’t work for us, too. 

Building Relationships as a Host

As a host, we are often in a familiar environment. However, everything is new to a guest or immigrant. Having patience with someone who is new to our environment can ease their transition and allow cultural exchange to happen more naturally and freely. When we come across new people in our native land, we can help them learn about our cultural traditions and why we do things the way we do. We can welcome people to the community by letting them know where to get their basic needs met – like finding a grocery store, restaurant or even where to find a job or home. We can also take an interest in where they’ve come from, their cultural traditions, and why they’ve chosen to visit or become an immigrant in our community. If desired, we may even choose to adopt some of their cultural traditions that work for us as well.

Caution

While we all have a right as human beings to move about Earth and the cosmos, it’s never okay for us to try to take away land or property from someone else through exploitation, coercion, manipulation, genocide, or war. Issues such as borders and property exchange should be handled fairly, equally, and equitably among stakeholders. It’s okay to want something that someone else already has, but it’s not okay to take it from them or force them to give it up. It’s also okay to say no when someone wants something we already have.

In addition, while we can share our cultural traditions, we never have a right to impose our cultural traditions on others, or force people to assimilate to our way of doing things. Similarly, we don’t own a particular cultural tradition, even if we developed it first – this means people are also free to adopt cultural traditions that work best for them regardless of where they originated. People always have a right to choose which cultural traditions work best for them.

Finally, it is important to remember that laws are specific to their jurisdiction, meaning the laws are different in every city, county, state, and especially country. Our native law does not follow us the way our cultural traditions do. When we are in a new area, we must be aware of and follow the laws of that land.

Beliefs to Challenge

I think negatively of immigrants.

Human First Lens

I recognize we are all immigrants or decedents of immigrants in some way. There is no reason for me to think negatively of myself or others based on their immigrant status. In fact, this is a commonality I can have with everyone I meet.

Beliefs to Challenge

I think immigrants will take our jobs.

Human First Lens

I recognize that all people have a right to do what’s best for them, and I recognize that I would also do whatever it takes to ensure the safety and security of myself and my family. I also recognize that when there are more people, there are more opportunities for jobs. For example, more houses need to built, more schools need to be staffed, and more restaurants can be opened.

Beliefs to Challenge

Too many people are undocumented.

Human First Lens

I recognize that an easier citizenship process would also allow more people to become a citizen of the United States, and be able to fully participate in the government, including paying taxes. It’s exciting when more people want to become an American. I also recognize that as a person living in the United States, I have the freedom to migrate to more than 50 states without having to jump through any hoops. Other people should enjoy that level of freedom, too.

Beliefs to Challenge

People should just stay where they’re from.

Human First Lens

I like it where I am, and I can see why other people would want to be here, too. It’s a new opportunity to learn from one another and work together to build an even better community. Welcome!

Beliefs to Challenge

I don’t like cultures other than my own.   

Human First Lens

I recognize that the cultural traditions I grew up with have important roots and have shaped my life in many ways. I also recognize culture is constantly evolving, and that includes my own culture as well. My personal life is very likely to be enhanced by learning about cultural traditions of others, and I can learn about them from anywhere in the world.

Beliefs to Challenge

I want to bring my own cultural traditions to a new place.  

Human First Lens

I recognize I have the right to practice my own cultural traditions wherever I live and share my traditions with others. I also recognize I don’t have a right to impose my cultural traditions on anyone else.

Beliefs to Challenge

I want to fully assimilate to the community so that I fit in.

Human First Lens

I recognize that my own culture and traditions are important to me, and that I can bring my full self to a new community. I can become part of the community without giving up parts of me that are important to me. If there is a cultural exchange, it can improve the community as a whole. 

Beliefs to Challenge

I dislike immigrants, tourists, and refugees.

Human First Lens

I appreciate that other people want to come here to learn about my community. I also recognize it can be difficult to be a newcomer, especially if someone has experienced a crisis in their own home. I can have compassion and sympathy for immigrants and refugees, and I might even make a new friend.

Beliefs to Challenge

I dislike natives.

Human First Lens

I honor and respect those who came before me, and I have the opportunity to learn why they do things the way they do. I might be able to share my own cultural traditions with them, and I can become part of the community, too.

Beliefs to Challenge

I don’t understand why someone would want to move like that anyway. 

Human First Lens

I can recognize that people have reasons and priorities of their own that may mean they have to make a change, just like I do. I may make changes to my job or where I live for the same reasons someone else does, but what that looks like is different for everyone.

Beliefs to Challenge

New people should assimilate to our culture.

Human First Lens

It’s important that people respect our cultural traditions, however, it’s not necessary for people to adopt them as their own. In fact, experiencing a multi-cultural community can help all people learn and grow.

Beliefs to Challenge

I should or should not assimilate to my community.

Human First Lens

I can choose to adopt the customs and culture of my new community if that works best for me. I can also strictly adhere to my own cultural traditions. I also recognize that I can maintain my own cultural traditions and still participate in and adopt the cultural traditions of the community-at-large if that works best for me, too.

Beliefs to Challenge

I don’t know how to learn about other cultures or people. 

Human First Lens

I know that I can use the internet or a local public library to explore different countries and cultures. I also know that cultural exchange programs are common. In fact, many cities establish “sister-city” relationships with cities in other countries. I also know foreign exchange student programs are also common, in which high school and college students travel to another country for a period of time to learn more about the culture of their host country. I recognize cultural exchange programs can benefit students, host families, and entire communities. 

Healing From Nativism

Being a victim of nativism can feel dehumanizing and stifling. It can even feel like your roots and foundations are being torn out from under you. It’s not okay. It’s important to remember you are welcome, you belong, and that you’re not alone. You never have to  abandon things that are important to you, or lose your sense of self and pride in your own heritage and upbringing. You deserve to be proud of where you’re from, what you’ve overcome, where you’ve chosen to go, and what you’ve chosen to do with your life. It some cases it can be helpful to seek out local organizations or welcome centers that work with immigrants and newcomers to learn more about the local cultures and traditions, find community and support, and secure housing and employment. If you have been a victim of nativism, it can also be helpful to speak with others who have overcome nativism, or to a spiritual advisor or mental health professional. If you have experienced discrimination in your employment, in housing, or in a public accommodation based on your real or perceived national origin, it may also be illegal. You may wish to file a complaint with your local, state or federal civil rights office.

If you have come to realize you may have been nativist – towards yourself or others – it’s important to remember that all people are entitled to value their own places of birth and cultural traditions, as well as explore new places, new cultures, and new opportunities. You can make a change by enhancing your empathy and sympathy skills and getting to know about a person’s experiences as a native, guest or immigrant. You might also consider what you would do if you were in their shoes as well. Importantly, you can also practice healthy ways of welcoming newcomers or being a guest in another land.

Interpersonal

We can interrupt nativism any time we see it by reminding others that it is not okay, and that all people have a right to move about Earth and to engage in cultural exchange. We can also encourage people to learn more about other cultures by seeking out groups, clubs, and neighborhood events, or traveling to other places for a more immersive experience. Further, we can help people to use their natural curiosity to learn more about other cultures, build relationships, and ultimately, enrich their own lives. In addition, we can reassert that no one has the right to impose their cultural traditions onto others or prevent others from learning about and adopting new traditions that they choose.

Systemic

We can reassert that all people have the inherent right to move to a new place or country, and that immigration and citizenship policies in every country should be equal, equitable, accessible and fair. We can also work to ensure the languages and systems we use are inclusive and accessible to all people, regardless of where they are from. 

Explore

We can help dismantle the barriers of the Native versus Immigrant Lens by exploring ourselves and others without labels. You can answer these questions in your head, say them out loud, or type them in. If desired, you can also print your answers, and/or enter your email address to have them sent to you for future reference. 

Survey

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