Alienation

Cultural and Political Alienation

Cultural and political alienation can be linked together because the laws of a state or country can contribute to cultural alienation. An immigrant— a person who migrates to another country for permanent residence—may be classified as an alien and excluded from certain benefits and rights reserved for citizens. Race, ethnicity, and immigrant status are key factors for cultural and political alienation. The term alien itself suggests difference from societal laws and norms.

In the United States, immigrants who abide by the laws of the United States and meet certain [Page 10]requirements can achieve U.S. citizenship. However, some immigrants who did not comply with U.S. immigration laws when they entered the United States are referred to as “illegal aliens” and often experience more difficulty obtaining U.S. citizenship. Thus, they are alienated from laws and rights that U.S. citizens possess and are excluded from voting and other political activities.

Controversy regarding cultural and political alienation exists because some cultural and ethnic groups have a more difficult time obtaining citizenship than others. For example, of the estimated 8.5 million illegal aliens in the United States, 4.5 million of those individuals are Mexican. Negative stereotypes have developed around this cultural group, and many Mexicans living in the United States often experience ridicule and become targets of discrimination, even after they become citizens. As Mexicans and other immigrants and minorities filter into American society, they may fall victim to other forms of alienation as well, such as educational alienation.

Educational Alienation

There are several examples of alienation in education that link to culture and politics. Racism and lack of social assimilation play key roles in educational alienation. Social assimilation occurs when a person is accepted into a particular group because he or she conforms to certain rules and practices. In a school setting, these groups are referred to as “cliques.” Students who are English as a second language (ESL) speakers, minorities, and/or social outcasts from peers may be alienated by teachers and other students. As the number of immigrants to America continues to increase, the number of ESL students also grows. Some of these students are placed in ESL classes because they need extra help in certain subject areas. However, sometimes these students are placed in ESL classes simply because of their ethnic identity. When schools alienate certain students due to ethnicity and dialect differences, these students are isolated from their fellow classmates and may be deprived of an equal education. Alienation can lead to inadequate education and an achievement gap not only for ESL students but for other groups as well, such as African American students.

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