Immigrants to America would gain tremendously by learning of the struggle for racial justice.
Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness were mere words for people of color until African Americans forced this country to deliver on her promises. Yet, too often, immigrants from Europe, Asia and Africa fail to acknowledge how African-American battles for racial justice assists these new arrivals.
African Americans contributed mind and body to create justice for all. Most areas of American life enjoyed by immigrants, from employment and housing to education and political rights were made better by African Americans challenging discrimination.
Unfortunately, knowledge of African Americans is often based on cancelled television shows or bad movies this country exports worldwide. Prejudices based on fiction are created well before stepping foot on American soil.
These prejudices can blind immigrants to the link between the benefits they enjoy and the great sacrifices made by African Americans. African Americans led protests for justice. Their cases, argued before the U.S. Supreme Court, changed American life, especially for people of color and immigrants.
Too often, instead of appreciation for a battle well-fought, there is only disrespect. Too many immigrants can be over-heard disparaging African Americans. Few immigrant-owned businesses hire African Americans. Frequently immigrants dismiss African-Americans complaint of discrimination.
Many who immigrate to America are leaving countries with discrimination based on religion, ethnic affiliation or race. Yet, upon arriving here they boldly turn against African Americans as if to be anti-black is one way to become fully American.
Many immigrants mistakenly see African Americans only as former slaves, ignoring their great history of courage. Even the citizenship test, given by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, asks a question on the Emancipation Proclamation.
African Americans fought for justice during and after slavery. Focusing only on slavery ignores African Americans who are billionaires, ballerinas, astrophysicists, basketball players, actors, business owners, lawyers, educators, soldiers and bankers. To lock African Americans in an image of slavery means overlooking 300 years of fighting for justice under law.
If those who are new to America studied this nation’s complex racial history they would gain a greater respect for African Americans and a deeper understanding of American culture. African Americans blazed the trail immigrants now travel. They survived the worst of a journey immigrants to this country have just begun.
Gloria J. Browne-Marshall is an associate professor of Constitutional Law at John Jay College, author of “Race, Law, and American Society: 1607 to Present” and a legal correspondent covering the U.S. Supreme Court.
