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The Anti-Immigrant "New Mediascape": Analyzing Nativist Discourse on the Web

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The Anti-Immigrant The Anti-Immigrant "New Mediascape": Analyzing Nativist Discourse on the Web Item Type text; Electronic Dissertation Authors Costley, William F. Publisher The University of Arizona. Rights Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. Download date 27/09/2021 01:14:26 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10150/332850 THE ANTI-IMMIGRANT “NEW MEDIASCAPE”: ANALYZING NATIVIST DISCOURSE ON THE WEB by William Costley ____________________________ A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of the DEPARTMENT OF SPANISH AND PORTUGUESE In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY WITH A MAJOR IN SPANISH In the Graduate College THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA 2014 2 THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA GRADUATE COLLEGE As members of the Dissertation Committee, we certify that we have read the dissertation prepared by William F. Costley, titled The Anti-Immigrant “New Mediascape”: Analyzing Nativist Discourse on the Web and recommend that it be accepted as fulfilling the dissertation requirement for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. _____________________________________________________ Date: July 24, 2014 Dr. Javier D. Duran _____________________________________________________ Date: July 24, 2014 Dr. Laura Gutiérrez _____________________________________________________ Date: July 24, 2014 Dr. Melissa A. Fitch Final approval and acceptance of this dissertation is contingent upon the candidate’s submission of the final copies of the dissertation to the Graduate College. I hereby certify that I have read this dissertation prepared under my direction and recommend that it be accepted as fulfilling the dissertation requirement. _____________________________________________________ Date: July 24, 2014 Dissertation Director: Dr. Javier D. Duran 3 STATEMENT BY AUTHOR This dissertation has been submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for an advanced degree at the University of Arizona and is deposited in the University Library to be made available to borrowers under rules of the Library. Brief quotations from this dissertation are allowable without special permission, provided that an accurate acknowledgement of the source is made. Requests for permission for extended quotation from or reproduction of this manuscript in whole or in part may be granted by the head of the major department or the Dean of the Graduate College when in his or her judgment the proposed use of the material is in the interests of scholarship. In all other instances, however, permission must be obtained from the author. SIGNED: William Costley 4 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS My graduate career at the University of Arizona has lasted nearly a decade—much longer than I expected. But the people I had the pleasure to meet, and with whom I would become close colleagues and friends, has made it more than worthwhile. I am exceedingly grateful to Javier Duran, my dissertation director, scholarly mentor, supervisor, and friend. You encouraged me to boldly go where I never would otherwise. Your crackling intellect and effervescent curiosity about all things “border,” and your unique perspective on all things, never ceases to inspire me. I am deeply appreciative of the gainful employment you provided at the Confluencenter for Creative Inquiry. It was my sheer delight to be a jack-of-all-trades, work with many wonderful people, and interact with cutting-edge scholars. I will miss the end-of-the-semester asadas and bacanora. I will also miss Lyn and Francesca, who graciously shared you with me for many years. I give a heartfelt abrazotón to Maria Telles for your unreserved support, both personal and professional. We were co-workers for two years, but our friendship will last much longer. Jamie Wilson, Andrés Guzmán, and Alejandrina Barajas, my closest colleagues and friends among the “Borderólogos,” deserve a million thanks. You have all been endlessly insightful, unceasingly generous, and delightful travel companions. I am indebted to “original” Borderólogos Elise DuBord and Gabi Moreno for accepting me into the fold. I would also like to thank Errol King, Lucy Blaney-Laible, Eva Romero, Olimpia Rosenthal, and Daniela Johannes for your collegiality and friendship. I express my gratitude to Malcolm Compitello for the chance to teach in the first place, and also for being available throughout my time at the UA whenever I needed advice about anything at all. I would be remiss not to acknowledge the entire staff of the Spanish Department: Isela Gonzales-Cook, Mary Portillo, and Mercy Valente, and Nichole Guard. If they were ever impatient with my endless requests for help, they never once let on. I’d like to thank my dissertation readers, Laura Gutiérrez and Melissa Fitch, for their patience and contributions to my work over the years. You were all consummately accommodating and sent me in scholarly directions I hadn’t anticipated, and I will continue to seek your guidance. A heartfelt note of thanks to Bram Acosta, who catalyzed me to transform what I thought was a “final draft” of my dissertation into something much better. I also credit Eithne Luibhéid—even though I took one class from you seven years ago, our lively discussion and your written work has influenced me more than you know. I must also recognize Sara Beaudrie for coaxing me into teaching in the heritage language program and encouraging me to step out of my comfort zone, both in the classroom and in my research. I owe a sincere debt of gratitude to my colleagues at Centre College, especially Mary Daniels, Jason Doroga, Daniel Arbino, and Núria Sabaté-Llobera for your unconditional 5 support for my work and my new career. You inspire hope for the profession and humanity in general. Thanks to my brother for being there whenever I needed it; and to my nephews, Conner and Ian, for distracting me when I didn’t know I needed it. I also offer my sincere thanks to my oldest and dearest friend, John Benedict—you have been there for me much more than I have ever deserved. 6 To Dad, who always pushed but was never pushy. To Peri, who always helped me unconditionally and spent many nights alone, and who was sometimes the only bright spot on otherwise dark days. To Mom, who inspired me to go further than I ever thought possible. To Gramma, who never failed to ask how things were going and always encouraged me regardless of my response. And to Otis, who made sure my lap and my heart were never cold. 7 TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................ 11 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 13 1. MOTIVATION FOR THIS STUDY ...................................................................................... 13 2. STRUCTURE OF THE DISSERTATION................................................................................ 16 CHAPTER 1: NATIVIST DISCOURSE IN THE U.S., 1790-2000 ........................................ 27 1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................ 27 2. CHAPTER OBJECTIVES .................................................................................................. 30 3. NATIVISM: A SIGNIFIER WITH MANY SIGNIFIEDS ............................................................ 31 4. THREE RECURRING NATIVIST DISCOURSES ..................................................................... 35 5. THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY: NATIVISM’S INCEPTION ..................................................... 39 6. THE NINETEENTH CENTURY: THE IRISH QUESTION ......................................................... 41 7. FROM THE EAST TO THE WEST: CHINESE PROSTITUTES AND WHITE SLAVERY ................. 46 8. JAPANESE IMMIGRATION AND HYPERFERTILITY HYSTERIA ............................................. 50 9. “RECONQUISTA,” OR BROWN TIDE RISING ...................................................................... 51 10. LATINO IMMIGRANTS AS AN ECONOMIC BURDEN AND “NATIVISM OF THE LEFT” .............. 53 11. FILTHY HABITS, VIOLENT CRIMINALS, AND THREATS TO PUBLIC HEALTH ........................ 59 12. CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................... 63 CHAPTER 2: NATIVISM ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB.................................................. 65 1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................ 65 2. MOTHERS AGAINST ILLEGAL ALIENS: REVOKING THE 14TH AMENDMENT ....................... 68 3. MAIA AND MMP: ANCHOR BABIES AS A DRAIN ON THE NATIVE ECONOMY ..................... 71 4. AMERICAN PATROL /AMERICAN BORDER PATROL ......................................................... 74 5. MINUTEMAN PROJECT (INTRODUCTION) ........................................................................ 84 8 6. THE IMMINENT RECONQUISTA ...................................................................................... 85 7. MINUTEMANHQ (FORMERLY KNOWN AS MINUTEMAN CIVIL DEFENSE CORPS) ................ 87 8. BORDER GUARDIANS: “ANOTHER ILLEGAL KILLS AN AMERICAN” ................................. 90 9. DISINTERMEDIATION: THE MISINFORMATION SUPERHIGHWAY .....................................
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