In his speech in Philadelphia on March 18, 2008, Barack Obama said of white Americans: "Their experience is the immigrant experience – as far as they're concerned, no one has handed them anything." Obama's observation points to a complex reality of American culture. Many white Americans know their immigrant origins, and others have only a vague idea of their family's origins. Yet the immigrant narrative – a narrative of success through hard work in the face of hardship – is often invoked by white people regardless of their family history. And many people who see the migrant story in their own history are nevertheless quick to reject new immigrants to this country.

"Most working- and middle-class white Americans don't feel that they have been particularly privileged by their race. Their experience is the immigrant experience - as far as they're concerned, no one's handed them anything, they've built it from scratch."

Questions to help you ponder and brainstorm.

Most white Americans are natural-born citizens and not immigrants -- so what do you think Obama means when he says "their experience is the immigrant experience"?

- Do you think the experience of white Americans is any more an "immigrant experience" than any other ethnic group? Why?

- How is the "immigrant experience" of whites the same as, or different from, the experience of people currently coming to the U.S.? Do the differences matter? Why?

- Much of the talk of race in your textbook – and in American society – revolves around the concept of "white" people. What does this term mean? Who do you think created classifications such as "white," "black" or "Latino?" Why?

Assignment:  You will write a two page response to the following statement made by Barack Obama:

"Their experience is the immigrant experience – as far as they're concerned, no one has handed them anything."

Paper requirements:

            -at least two pages

            -double spaced

            -all margins on both pages 1 inch or less

            -ci-12

            -font-Roman times numeral

Points-40pts

Grading rubric-as used for research paper

            50% mechanics and format

            50% content

Use the link below to see Obama's race speech which will help on this paper

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/18/obama.transcript/index.html