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They Who Knock at Our Gates

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By: (1881-1949)

"They Who Knock at Our Gates" by Mary Antin is a powerful and thought-provoking book that delves into the immigrant experience in America at the turn of the 20th century. Antin beautifully captures the struggles and triumphs of those who came to America seeking a better life, shedding light on the challenges they faced and the resilience they displayed in the face of adversity.

The author's writing is poignant and heartfelt, giving readers a glimpse into the hopes and dreams of immigrants who left everything behind in search of a brighter future. Antin's prose is both lyrical and insightful, painting a vivid picture of the immigrant experience and the impact it has had on American society.

While the book is a century old, its themes still ring true today, making it a timeless and relevant read for anyone interested in understanding the immigrant experience in America. Overall, "They Who Knock at Our Gates" is a moving and important work that sheds light on a crucial chapter in American history, leaving a lasting impact on readers long after they have finished the book.

Book Description:
In 1914, over one million immigrants arrived in the United States, following in the footsteps of approximately ten million others who had arrived in the preceding decade. Faced with so many newcomers, many of them from backgrounds new to the American mix, voices in government and in the press had begun arguing in favor of more severely restrictionist immigration policies. In They Who Knock at Our Gates, Mary Antin broke down the discussion into three basic questions. First, the ethical question -- Where do we discover a right to restrict new arrivals, in light of all men's equal natural rights as declared by our founding documents? Second, the factual questions -- Who are these new immigrants, what sorts of gifts and qualities do they possess, what are their strengths and weaknesses, and what biases do we bring to our assessment of them? And third, the slippery question of individual interpretation -- How shall we decide without prejudice whether immigration is good for us, as a nation and as individual citizens? Written a century ago, Mary Antin's analysis of the "immigration question" still speaks to current readers.


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