In Pursuit of Nativism: Is it in Arizona?

Abstract

Threading together Blackian analysis and comparative history, this study seeks to determine whether there is a resurgence of nativism in modern day Arizona. At the center of this study is Arizona Senate Bill 1070. Its anti-immigration laws, when coupled with involvement by privatized prison corporations in its formation, most notably the Corrections Corporation of America, is implicated in fostering and maintaining an atmosphere of nativism. Blackian analysis will show that it is almost inevitable that the Arizona law will be abused by law enforcement because its very nature is discriminatory. American history will be examined for major occurrences of nativism from 1826-1957 to allow for a comparison between them and modern day Arizonans. To aid understanding, a breakdown of Senate Bill 1070 will be performed