Yellow Peril, Brown Peril & Immigrant Backlash In America
By Dustin Mendus
There is an infamous saying, “Those who do not learn from history are destined to repeat it.” While it can be used in many contexts and stir up quite a few political debates, it’s very applicable to U.S. immigration policy, and it is something that needs to be looked at, starting from the very beginning.
Originally, the 13 colonies were British territories. They were composed largely of British immigrants looking to take advantage of the new world, Native American tribes on the fringe (who would later be dealt with in less than loving ways), as well as French and Spanish bordering colonies (Louisiana, Florida) which would gradually end up part of America. One group, one common heritage.
German immigrants would come later. Like the backlash against Hispanic immigrants, who are largely lumped under the Mexican banner by ignorance, German immigrants weren’t looked at fondly. Even Benjamin Franklin regarded them as stupid.
Yes, the immigrant backlash has been around since America was a little baby. And it has been bitter, it has been a lot worse at times, too.
There have been violent backlashes against immigrants on U.S. soil, and they haven’t been pretty. Yellow Peril, a cute euphemism for fear of Asian immigrants taking over America, sound familiar? Even if you haven’t heard of it in history class, the fear is there. We both know it.
“They’re taking our jobs!” Right? Mind you, these jobs that were being taken weren’t glamorous. Railroad laborers, agriculture, mining, servants. Hispanics are “taking” the same romantic jobs. Fast-food workers, agriculture labor, and servitude. And both groups received (or are receiving) immense backlash. Laws thrown at them to hinder immigration as well as a social disgust toward them. Mob violence and lynchings. However, the Chinese persevered, and have grown into an accepted racial group in the United States.
Whether violence will return is doubtful at best (though lets not forget the global situation as well as the causes of past American riots), but it’s worth noticing the similarities between the “Yellow Peril” and this “Brown Peril.” Both come from fear and are irrational at best. Let’s not let this fear of Hispanic immigrants grow as much as the fear of Asian immigrants grew. Knowledge of backlash against immigrants is something we have on our side. Let’s use that knowledge.
Dustin Mendus is an undergraduate student at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He focuses on cultural geography.
