Progressive Paradox in Political Rhetoric: The Hart-Celler Immigration Act of 1965

<p>This dissertation investigates the interplay between U.S. norms for inclusion, the embedded role of religion within these norms, and how political rhetoric challenges or sustains them. Using a historical lens, I outline key moments in U.S. history, unravel central ideologies entrenched in U.S. narratives, and illuminate the ideographic function of the key concepts <em>land</em>, <em>family</em>, and <em>work</em>. These terms serve as conduits for conveying complex systems of meaning, which are entrenched in societal assumptions and concretized through political discourse and action.</p> <p>These dynamics are demonstrated in a case study of the discourse surrounding the Hart-Celler Immigration Act of 1965, a landmark bill that claimed to end racial discrimination in immigration policy. Through an analysis of the deployment of the ideographs, I illustrate how ideologies that rank individuals based on perceived worthiness become institutionalized and resistant to change. Moreover, I illuminate the influence of quiet religion embedded in national narratives and political speech as a foundational authoritative source invoked in critical junctures to legitimize actions as morally sanctioned and aligned with divine or natural order. Even in times of significant social upheaval, such as the transformative1960s, overarching norms of inclusion and exclusion persistently evade thorough interrogation, underscoring their ingrained place within the fabric of U.S. society.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Year dc:date.available

2024

Author dc:creator

• Rolston Henderson, Amanda

Contributors dc:contributor

• Andrea Stanton
• Albert Hernandez
• Joshua Hanan

• Christianity
• Family
• Hart-Celler
• Ideograph
• Immigration
• Rhetoric
• Arts and Humanities
• Communication
• Migration Studies
• Religion
• Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion
• Rhetoric and Composition
• Social Influence and Political Communication
• Speech and Rhetorical Studies

Statement dc:rights

• <p>Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.</p>

Language dc:language

English (eng)

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd/2391

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.du.edu:etd-3377