Roger Daniels, in his novel, “Not Like Us: Immigrants and Minorities in America”, highlights the terrible conditions and undertakings immigrants and minorities had to face through early to modern America. He presents his argument through different people, starting with the Chinese and Chinese Exclusion Act during the industrial era and going on into detail with the treatment Native Americans, African Americans, and other minorities throughout time. He states in his thesis that he simply wishes not to “negate or minimize other aspects of that turbulent and dramatic period.”, but instead to emphasize the side of history that is usually glossed over by historians. He does successfully in context highlight the true reality minorities and immigrants faced throughout this specific time period, and while he does have a compelling argument and evidence to back it up, there are some minor critiques in an otherwise beautifully constructed novel.
What is particularly interesting about Daniels novel is the comparison he makes regarding the viewpoints of minority groups and whites to the Progressive Era. The …show more content…
That “some of those involved in the Americanization movement were genuinely interested in helping immigrants and especially their children to American life…”. The way he goes into detail, showing arguments for and against this and using many sources was very intriguing when reading. What bothered me about this passage though was how short and quickly dismissed it was. What could’ve been a great perception of Americanization that could’ve tied throughout his book as it exemplified the theme of not wanting to dismiss aspects of history but to highlight what is usually glossed over, was quickly disregarded as Daniels continued to talk about WW1, not being brought up again. It was simply a missed opportunity that could’ve supported his argument even
What is particularly interesting about Daniels novel is the comparison he makes regarding the viewpoints of minority groups and whites to the Progressive Era. The …show more content…
That “some of those involved in the Americanization movement were genuinely interested in helping immigrants and especially their children to American life…”. The way he goes into detail, showing arguments for and against this and using many sources was very intriguing when reading. What bothered me about this passage though was how short and quickly dismissed it was. What could’ve been a great perception of Americanization that could’ve tied throughout his book as it exemplified the theme of not wanting to dismiss aspects of history but to highlight what is usually glossed over, was quickly disregarded as Daniels continued to talk about WW1, not being brought up again. It was simply a missed opportunity that could’ve supported his argument even