Ideologies of opportunity at the frontier (Polster, 2000)
Economic prosperity is the sole reason immigrants including the Chinese continue to come to America.
The frontier indicated a country with no boundaries. There were no limits of social and economic progress.
The railroads build by the Chinese would support activities in the American soil which would in turn support their economies (Chineses)
Equal opportunity and equal legal representation will never be equally distributed in the economic spectrum of free enterprise.
America was viewed as a land of opportunity and impartiality.
California Economic and labor conditions
Poster questions the assumed involvement of Chinese labor in America. At first their labor was highly appreciated, they were assigned the responsibility of watching over Americas new boundary. They extended their activities since they also became active participants in building of the railroad, agriculture and fisheries. A big percentage of the entire Californian workforce comprised of the Chinese people (Polster, 2000). As they numbers grew, resistance also heightened since they were seen to take up jobs of the natives. The anti Chinese campaigns were on the increase.
The employers were also on the front line in ensuring that racial division was effective in bringing out a gap. They would insist on separate their employees depending on their racial background. This was in an effort to ensure that the laborers could not unite to demand for better working conditions. The Native Americans had better working conditions and were well paid than the Chinese laborers. This aspect marginalized other groups since no preferential treatment was directed to them.
There was high unemployment rate in the 1870s this was due to the post civil war recession. The scarcity of jobs led to the anti- Chinese campaigns (Polster, 2000). The principle of equal and unlimited opportunities lacked meaning during this period. The white miners, field hands were demanding to have the Chinese thrown out of the city since they (the Chinese) had taken up most of their jobs.
The dual wage system presented an aspect on inequality. The Asian laborers were paid less than other working groups. The groups were segregated and made to develop hatred towards each other to ensure that the groups do not engage in talks concerning their wages, this provided an avenue to depress their wages. The absence of a uniform paying scale evidently proved that some groups were discriminated against in spite of their efforts (Polster, 2000).
Race serves as a basis for the formation of class conflicts in America. The protests that were evidenced against the Chinese laborers and the creation of a unique white label in cigars proved that inequality was live. The campaigns were directed to the Chinese so that they could withdraw from their working positions, this aimed at protecting the white laborers against the competition with the Chinese. It is obvious that the Chinese labor was recommendable hence the whites feared that the Chinese could end up taking their territory.
Publications that were directed towards presenting charges against the Chinese presence in the American soil were widespread. They were referred to as slaves who could not fit to be compotators for any Native American (Polster, 2000). The natives were viewed as special creatures that were deprived of their freedom by the immigrants and forced to compete with disgraced creatures in the labor market. Economics and racism was the basis of the humiliation and the Chinese were conscious of this.
QUESTIONING THE IDEOLOGY
Women in America have been fighting for rights since time immemorial. The women do not have equal chances of working as compared to men. Different organizations lobbying for the rights of women have stated that the absence of equality in the field of gender is inhuman (International Labor Force, 2009). Women do not have equal opportunities as men in fields such as study-arts, science entertainment, industry, governance among other groups. Men seem to dominate in all fields hence leaving the lower positions to women. This demeans the potential of women and their ability to perform tasks better like their male colleagues.
It has frequently been alleged that there are unlimited opportunities for women since women have potential like men. Women also have equal potential like men hence they are not under men. It has never been made clear why a balance in the workforce has not been observed if this is true. Men still continue to be preferred to women, this creates a contradicting belief since both genders have potential then picking any to perform a duty is acceptable, why then not create a 5050 offer to these opportunities
The ideology of equal and unlimited opportunities leaves some unanswered questions. The ideology does not really demonstrate fairness. The issue of equal incomes has been for all has been a debatable issue over time. The issue of equal incomes has largely been dismissed. Most liberal theories of justice often rationally depict an aspect of inequality of incomes (Wharton, 2005). These theories however fail to push the matter far once they reduce the importance of the issue of equality of incomes.
The issue of unequal opportunities is upheld by many and seen as a necessary evil. While it is appropriate to hire people depending on their skills, experience, and education, this is not evidenced in many areas. Racism forms the basis of job opportunities. The opportunities may be unlimited but they fail to observe equality. Opportunities are in most cases offered based on ones race. When the issue of equal opportunities arises, the comments that people make concerning the issue signifies the degree of racism and sexism in them.
Tinka a US citizen of Indian origin interviews people on the issue of living the American dream. A black citizen states that the American dream is not for all since some people are living the American nightmare. In the taxi business, a white mans cab is preferred to a black man. Blacks are seen as criminals, dangerous and as belonging to a gang. Tinka quotes the late musician Tupac who affirmed that if a Chinese man kills your dog you should kill him in turn. Dogs receive better treatment than some people this further illustrates the degree of racism in the US ( HYPERLINK httpwww.youtube.comwatchvb6dpclFnDx4 httpwww.youtube.comwatchvb6dpclFnDx4)
Majority of the population do not support the ideas of equality in as far as opportunities are concerned (Wharton, 2005). Hiring white over non-whites for the sake of diversity does not make sense according to them. A former contractor affirms that he does not support the idea of equality since he witnessed white males being fired just because they met minimum requirements at the same individuals who were non-whites who met the qualifications were retained. The idea of racial preference makes the whole idea of getting the job done perfectly a second priority.
Religious minority groups especially the Muslims are marginalized, no equal and unlimited opportunities for them (Malick, 2010). The complex and diverse reasons behind the restricting of religious identities of Muslims in America cannot be well understood. The September attacks of the US embassy might just be the main source of this segregation. The policies that were put in place by the US government have encouraged the idea of identifying individuals on the basis of their religious beliefs.
Majority of Muslim women dress like their American peers, this way they lose their identities for the sake of having access to equal and unlimited opportunities. The Pakistan-Americans cover their faces in hijab (International Labor Office, 2009). As their numbers continue to grow, fear builds among many concerning what these women may be carrying behind these veils. The likelihood of the conformed Muslim women having access to resources is higher than the Pakistan-Americans.
Azal Osman a comedian of Indian descent who lives in the US states that he believes that stereotypes are as a result of brainwashing. He complains that people have been brainwashed to an extent that whenever people see Muslims, words like Osama, Saddam and Taliban are used to refer to them. The media has also been accused of stereotyping, Muslim men are referred to as terrorists while the women are seen as oppressed, Osman affirms that the case should be the other way round. The same case applies to airports security is biffed up once a Muslim is spotted. Muslims are generally associated with terrorist activities.
He further makes a joke of the airport situation when he says that people believe that they are going to die. People call their relatives to tell them that there is muslin on board hence death is knocking at their door. This illustrates how the Muslim community faces challenges in their day-to-day lives.
EQUALITY AND OPEN OPPORTUNITIES
Literature
The masculine point of view is seen as heroic, virtuous and with honor as compared to female writers. It has frequently been argued that most interesting female writers cannot be compared to male writers. The female writers have suffered critical neglect for along time. The women writers in America are said to lack the ambition to create books big books, they instead concentrate on writing books with a small volume. These books are received with less critical fanfare.
Majority of books that are marketed are authored by male writers. Women comprise majority of the population that buy and read books. Most of these books focus on their male counterparts (Scott, 1998). Majority of the thrillers, travel books, biographies that women happily read are aimed primarily on men. Before reading a book, majority of them have an already established belief that the book is interesting. Men on the other hand hardly ever read womens fiction because they bear a misconception that they cannot read a work written by a woman and find it interesting.
The value of style and subjects is rarely considered when it comes to measuring good writing. Both women and men have their demeaning values in writing. A section of the two categories have a tendency to write stories that limit the possibilities of fiction. However, critics will direct their questions to female writers the male writer will be left to breath since they are well represented in this field (Scott, 1998).
The Angel Island Poems shows the woes of the Chinese people in the island. They were oppressed by the Native Americans. They regretted coming to America since what they experienced was beyond their expectation. The principle of equal and unlimited opportunities was not reflected, the Chinese were denied chances although they had proved proficiency one. Of the poets laments, I should regret my taking the risks of coming in the first place (Polster, 2000).
The natives maltreated the Chinese immigrants. The Chinese had shown potential in performing many tasks. Humanitarianism was not observed. A poet grieves by stating, Even while they are tyrannical they still claim to be humanitarian this proves that there existed a clear cut difference in the mode of treatment of both the
Natives and the immigrant.
Visual art
The male art community is seen as ideal. It is surprising that despite the many documentations of womens suppression available this field continues to ignore the effort from female artists. Even in the most perfect cases female artists are never easily recognized. Women painters do not receive as much service demand as male painters. Again, men dominate this field. Women are seen as inherent followers as a woman work would be most recognized if she served as an assistant to the men (Kid in the Row, 2010).
In museums, the entire history of painting, sculpture, or architecture can attest male dominance. Womens work in these museums that can highly be seen is photograph work. The museums of modern art have displayed a collection of women artists. This is just a small section of the artistic innovativeness that is found in these museums. Most of the artistic items bear male names (Budick, 2010).
Judging art by Gender is a common phenomenon. Well done work that demonstrates artistic skills is associated with the male species while the female species are associated with moderately well done piece of work which could have been perfect if a male figure was present. Despite the increasing numbers of female artist male artist continue to be a preference for many including women.
Women have a right to pursue professional artistic careers but they do not get chances to put their professionalism into practice (International Labor Office, 2009). The same old irrelevant questions that goes, how come no woman artist has measure up to the best man this questions provides an avenue for prejudiced answers. Male chauvinists and the female sympathizers in arts do not acknowledge the efforts that female artists have employed. Male artistic products will hit the market and be on high demand leaving the females ones hanging for a longer period. This just indicates how the society in general has joined hands in demeaning womens efforts.
Film
The film industry favors men more than women, this is an indisputable fact. In Hollywood for instance, nearly 94 of the films owe their direction to men (Kid in the Row, 2010). Women dominate mainly in hair and makeup, production assistants, or cinema cleaners. The women therefore end up having limited experience in the film industry. In holding auditions for a film it has been held that if the audition is to be held in an apartment, then the female actress tend to read out a sexual scene. This is just but one of the false impressions that the film industry and the society hold towards women.
Women seem to fight a battle they can never win. Prejudice starts from the way the job titles are, everything is divided into directors and female directors this provides more room for inequality. In the show business, women are still judged as objects, they do not have an exceptional place in this field since they are viewed as deserving small positions.
Talent is the most important aspect in acting. This aspect is however overlooked since in our day-to-day activities we meet many unattractive, talented actresses who could not get a chance to discover their potential better. The physical appearance forms a basis for getting a chance, this issue mostly affects the female actresses, and it is common to find male actors who are not physically appealing in the business (Kid in the Row, 2010). For men it is talent that matters but as for women talent has to be accompanied by physical attractiveness.
Music
Statistically this industry is male-dominated. Women have to fight harder to get into the industry. It id argued that once a woman bears a child, it becomes almost impossible for any woman to work long nights away from home. The music industry present job opportunities such as that of publicists, booking agents as well as the artists themselves. The inadequacy of women in the industry is seen as a choice rather than discrimination (Asthana, 2009).
The production industry is dominated by men. Organizers of music functions are mostly men. Most of the leading music labels are mens. It is not an easy road for women they have to fight harder to get a chance to get into the industry. When women are in charge of say organizing music concerts, they are not taken seriously, some people will even insist on seeing her boss.
Humor
Unlike other industries, comedies have welcome have witnessed a large number of women comedians. Some of the women have become world renowned comedians a good example is Margarette Cho, an Asian woman who in her comedian routine has made many statements and movements on gay rights. Men are more in this industry but the most important aspect of it is that female comedians can air their voice and be appreciated.
The trends
In many fields women have been marginalized. Their contribution is overlooked and they are given fewer opportunities than the males. This could be so since women have not stepped up to have their voice heard. More effort is needed so that a fair and just society can be created. The opportunities are unlimited but those set aside for women are fewer.
Karen Polster states that the poems at the Angel Island uphold and question the ideology of equal and unlimited opportunities. These opportunities were in terms of jobs wages, the Native Americans received preferential treatment over the immigrants. This issue is also prevalent in the present day society where the issue of equal opportunities is not observed, this is mostly in Gender issues. Race also plays a big role in determining the allocation of responsibilities.
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