Most reactionary white folks I know would rather see white people (as they define it) die off than expand the definition of whiteness. I really don't think you can compare the integration of the Irish to the present conditions for (most) hispanic Americans.
I'll bet you that the anti-Irish/anti-Italian white folks said the same thing at the time, that they'd rather die than let them in.
It's easy to say that when they're still on top, same with the people you're talking about. But eventually, when it stops being theoretical and they're actually looking at the very real possibility of losing their status right in the face, priorites change.
When it comes down to the wire, they'll look the other way and let light-skinned "passing" hispanics into the clubhouse. They'll justify it to themselves however they like.
They might not like it, but they'll do it as they've done before, mark my words.
I actually think this would make an excellent struggle session, so I might just save my thoughts for that. But yeah, I think the guy who looks "white" but has a last name like Chavez will be let into the club. I just think for every one person like that there's 10 who still won't fit the definition.
Admittedly, some of this is just my "gut" feeling, as white person who's been surrounded by a this stuff his whole life. But I also think there's some precedent for the definition getting narrower, not broader. IIRC South African whites got even more narrow in how they defined "white" as they were faced with losing privilege.
I don't think they're largely the people coming to or growing up in the United States though, because whiter people have more privilege in their home countries.
Most reactionary white folks I know would rather see white people (as they define it) die off than expand the definition of whiteness. I really don't think you can compare the integration of the Irish to the present conditions for (most) hispanic Americans.
I'll bet you that the anti-Irish/anti-Italian white folks said the same thing at the time, that they'd rather die than let them in.
It's easy to say that when they're still on top, same with the people you're talking about. But eventually, when it stops being theoretical and they're actually looking at the very real possibility of losing their status right in the face, priorites change.
When it comes down to the wire, they'll look the other way and let light-skinned "passing" hispanics into the clubhouse. They'll justify it to themselves however they like.
They might not like it, but they'll do it as they've done before, mark my words.
I actually think this would make an excellent struggle session, so I might just save my thoughts for that. But yeah, I think the guy who looks "white" but has a last name like Chavez will be let into the club. I just think for every one person like that there's 10 who still won't fit the definition.
Admittedly, some of this is just my "gut" feeling, as white person who's been surrounded by a this stuff his whole life. But I also think there's some precedent for the definition getting narrower, not broader. IIRC South African whites got even more narrow in how they defined "white" as they were faced with losing privilege.
I dunno man, there's a whole lotta hispanic people who look indistinguishable from your average white person unless you ask them their last name.
Louis C.K. is Mexican for fucks sake., and there's plenty where he came from.
I don't think they're largely the people coming to or growing up in the United States though, because whiter people have more privilege in their home countries.