2008 Woodie Awards
Mesa College professors share opinions over immigration issue
Raymond Naval
Issue date: 5/9/06 Section: News
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After a small introduction, Professor Charles Zappia approached the podium in front of a soon-to-be emotional crowd.
"You could be American by choice," he said at the beginning of his 15-minute presentation.
He was alluding to the day settlers from Europe took over a land inhabited by Native Americans and declared themselves citizens of their new country.
Zappia was one of four panelists sharing his opinions on illegal immigration that has brought about acts of protest throughout the United States. The event took place in Room G101 on April 27.
He went on to discuss the history of America's general feelings toward the issue beginning in 1886, when the Statue of Liberty was constructed. Its torch was meant to act as a beacon for all the ships coming into Ellis Island. Just four years later, a newspaper editor shared his feelings about the arriving citizens.
"The floodgates are open… The sewer is choked… Europe is vomiting."
Zappia then continued to shed light on a heavily revised and extended bill called the National Act, which provided the first steps to becoming an American. The National Act of 1790 only allowed aliens who were "free" and "white" to become citizens. This prevented slaves, many women, and Asians from becoming citizens.
The Act in 1870 eventually allowed people of African descent to apply for citizenship in America. However, Asians were still excluded.
The 1924 Act only allowed 150,000 immigrants to live in the United States-over two-thirds of which were of Anglo-Saxon origin.
It wasn't until 1965 when, in light of the civil rights movement, former President Lyndon B. Johnson passed an Act to abolish the one passed in 1790.
Zappia concluded by saying, "Though American policies have changed [over time], American opinions remained consistent."
For a more visual presentation Professor Cesar Lopez displayed his students' art projects, depicting their feelings toward the issue. He spent his time recommending the movie "Alambrista" which is about a Mexican man moving to the U.S. in order to support his family.
"You could be American by choice," he said at the beginning of his 15-minute presentation.
He was alluding to the day settlers from Europe took over a land inhabited by Native Americans and declared themselves citizens of their new country.
Zappia was one of four panelists sharing his opinions on illegal immigration that has brought about acts of protest throughout the United States. The event took place in Room G101 on April 27.
He went on to discuss the history of America's general feelings toward the issue beginning in 1886, when the Statue of Liberty was constructed. Its torch was meant to act as a beacon for all the ships coming into Ellis Island. Just four years later, a newspaper editor shared his feelings about the arriving citizens.
"The floodgates are open… The sewer is choked… Europe is vomiting."
Zappia then continued to shed light on a heavily revised and extended bill called the National Act, which provided the first steps to becoming an American. The National Act of 1790 only allowed aliens who were "free" and "white" to become citizens. This prevented slaves, many women, and Asians from becoming citizens.
The Act in 1870 eventually allowed people of African descent to apply for citizenship in America. However, Asians were still excluded.
The 1924 Act only allowed 150,000 immigrants to live in the United States-over two-thirds of which were of Anglo-Saxon origin.
It wasn't until 1965 when, in light of the civil rights movement, former President Lyndon B. Johnson passed an Act to abolish the one passed in 1790.
Zappia concluded by saying, "Though American policies have changed [over time], American opinions remained consistent."
For a more visual presentation Professor Cesar Lopez displayed his students' art projects, depicting their feelings toward the issue. He spent his time recommending the movie "Alambrista" which is about a Mexican man moving to the U.S. in order to support his family.
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