SIR Social Sciences Investigation Abstract
A COMPARISON OF IRISH AND INDIAN IMMIGRATION
Presenters:
Alexandra Plattos, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
Lisa Thompson, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
Advisor:
Dr. Jim Victory, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy.
Abstract:
Through our research, we worked to explore the differences and the similarities between immigration during the late 19th century and immigration today. The two ethnic groups we focused on were the Irish immigrants from the turn of the century and Indian immigrants today. Even though the reasons for immigration might have changed the hope for a new life remains the same. By exploring these very different groups, we have established, that the reactions to the immigrants, in many ways, remain the same. For example, there has always been a negative stereotype of immigrants as people who come to America to take jobs from those who already have them. During the height of Irish immigration in the 1850s, the Irish would take the jobs of the lower class Americans by working longer hours for less money in blue collar jobs. Due to the Indians previous education, they are capable of taking jobs from white collar professionals such as engineers, computer scientists, and medical professionals. At the turn of the century, the Irish felt resentment similar to that which the Indian immigrants experience now. This resentment towards immigrants is as much a piece of American culture as the immigrants themselves.