Buchanan: Hispanic Immigrants Not Assimilating Into America Because They Embrace ‘Rap Culture’
Pat Buchanan’s Anti-Hispanic Rhetoric Echoes Earlier Anti-Immigrant Hysteria
Buchanan Falsely Claims That Hispanics ‘Do Not Wish To Assimilate’
Buchanan: Americans Should Consider Allowing Only White Immigrants
In his book, State of Emergency, Pat Buchanan argues for an “immediate moratorium on all immigration.” The purpose of moratorium, according to Buchanan, is for Americans to “debate and decide whom we wish to come and whether we wish to alter, or preserve, the ethnic religious composition of American.” Today on CNN, John King asked Buchanan if he “wants to set a policy where only white english-speaking people can come to America.” Buchanan said that “the American people should decide who comes.” Buchanan added that he believes “we should favor folks from cultures and civilization that have been assimilated before,” i.e. white Europeans.
Man, there are DUMB@$$E$, and then there are DUMB@$$E$…and there is little doubt into which category Pat Buchanan fits in. I would have thought that at the dawn of the 21st century, we could and would have moved beyond this sort of knuckle-dragging nativism. Buchanan’s overarching, mean-spirited “White Makes Right” ignorance is truly impressive, assuming as he does that American is first and foremost a White, Christian country. This, of course, is the primary argument of nativist troglodytes- that America is a White, Christian nation and everyone who’s not White and Christian has a responsibility to “assimilate” or leave. This is also a deceptively meaningless argument.
Let’s consider for just a moment the basic question behind Buchanan’s argument: Who is an American? Though Buchanan and his ilk will attempt to sugarcoat their racism, their American is White and Christian. This, of course, completely ignores the history and demographic reality of this country. I’m sorry, but if you’re an American citizen-naturalized or native- you’re an American. White, Black, Brown, Red, Yellow, or Mauve- it doesn’t matter. If you’re a citizen, you’re a member of Club America. No cover charge, no two-drink minimum. Come on it; you’re welcome here, because you’re one of us. Capice?
And what, exactly, defines or passes for “assimilation”? Can one “assimilate” with a less-than-perfect grasp of English? Must one renounce their culture and heritage for the pure American joy of Burger King, Coca-Cola, the New York Yankees, and WalMart? Must one attend church on Sundays, even if one is not and never has been a Christian? Must one pepper one’s speech with “Praise God”? Must one vote Republican?
This is not Switzerland, where applying for citizenship means demonstrating that you are sufficiently and reliably Swiss, from the food you eat, to the music you listen to, to the clothes you wear and the books you read. This is America, and we’ve always valued the differences that immigrants bring to our shores. Of course, Pat Buchanan might disagree with you on that point.
Is this not just about the silliest, most offensive debate imaginable? And Pat Buchanan is going to make a TON of money off of it.
Welcome to America…where prejudice, racial hatred, and nativism, if marketed probably, can be a wise career move….
KING: Fairly provocative book here, Pat. I want to begin with something you say near the end of the book, where you call for a moratorium on immigration so that the government can think about what we should have as a policy. You say this: “The first imperative is an immediate moratorium on all immigration…. While it lasts, we should debate and decide whom we wish to come and whether we wish to alter or preserve the ethnic-religious composition of America. After all, America belongs to us, not the world.” There are some who would say: “Pat Buchanan wants to set a government policy where the white english-speaking people, they can come to America, others are left out.”
BUCHANAN: Pat would say the American people should decide who comes, John. We have 36 million immigrants in this country. 12 million folks here illegally. More illegal aliens than all the Jews, Irish and English who ever came. The American people want the border secured, and I think they support a time-out. But if you want a time out you have to have a certain number. As John F. Kennedy said 150,000 to 250,000. Who should decide who comes and what are the criteria? I do believe we should favor folks from cultures and civilization that have been assimilated before. But the purpose of the moratorium is like the moratorium we had from 1924 to 1965 — to assimilate, americanize and introduce all these folks to our language and culture, and history and heroes, and make ‘em Americans.
Again…just what the Hell IS an “American”? Is not the mere fact of legal citizenship sufficient? Must one also subscribe to the dominant religion, the dominant political ideology, and the dominant culture? Is there some sort of master list containing the criteria by which one can be considered “American”? And just what does “assimilate” mean? Why is it so important that Americans be “assimilated”?
SIlly me; I’d always thought that one of the great things about this country is its “melting pot” aspect. The fact that so many Americans come from so many other countries and cultures is, from where I sit, perhaps the greatest strength and attribute of America. We’re a nation of immigrants; how, exactly, do we determine when someone has “assimilated”? If Pat Bucanan has his way, America will become one large AmeriKKKan version of Star Trek’s Borg Collective- open only to White Christians who look, think, act, and believe as we do. All others need not bother applying.
What truly scares me is that this Neanderthal actually ran for President- twice, if I remember correctly. President Buchanan? Yikes….
