The Language of the Immigration Issue

Fri31Mar2006

The Language of the Immigration Issue

When you hear the word "Alien", do you think little green men from mars or do you think of Mexicans and other Latinos? According to the National Association of Hispanic Journalist (NAHJ), the language being used in the mainstream media to detail the current immigration debate dehumanizes and stereotypes. NAHJ, a 2,300-member organization of reporters, editors and other journalists, is calling the mainstream media out on their use of language and the impact it has in framing the immigration. The NAHJ is giving a historical context for the words being used in the media and offering alternative word choices. Their Resource Guide for Journalists states for example :

While Webster's first definition of the term "alien" is in accordance with the government's interpretation, the dictionary also includes other, darker, meanings for the word, such as “a non-terrestrial being," "strange," "not belonging to one," "adverse," "hostile." And the Encyclopedia Britannica points out that "in early times, the tendency was to look upon the alien as an enemy and to treat him as a criminal or an outlaw." It is not surprising then that in 1798, in anticipation of a possible war with France, the U.S. Congress passed the Alien and Sedition Acts, which restricted "aliens" and curtailed press freedoms. By 1800 the laws had been repealed or had expired but they still cast a negative shadow over the word. In modern times, with science-fiction growing in popularity, "alien" has come to mean a creature from outer space, and is considered pejorative by most immigrants.

Via / NAHJ