--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Immigrants have been coming here for a…" description: "\"Immigrants have been coming here for a long time. The Americans that are afraid of others coming were immigrants once themselves, so they have a lot of..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba1/godfrey-18355_country_immigrants-have-been-coming-here-for-a-l_2271234.jpg" --- # Immigrants have been coming here for a long time. The… ![“Immigrants have been coming here for a long time. The Americans that are afraid of others coming were immigrants once themselves, so they have a lot of nerve. We have a lot of nerve as a country. The only people that should have xenophobia are Native Americans. Everyone else should shut up.” quote by Godfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba1/godfrey-18355_country_immigrants-have-been-coming-here-for-a-l_2271234.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba1/godfrey-18355_country_immigrants-have-been-coming-here-for-a-l_2271234.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ba1/godfrey-18355_country_immigrants-have-been-coming-here-for-a-l_2271234.jpg) > “Immigrants have been coming here for a long time. The Americans that are afraid of others coming were immigrants once themselves, so they have a lot of nerve. We have a lot of nerve as a country. The only people that should have xenophobia are Native Americans. Everyone else should shut up.” [Godfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/godfrey/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker argues that xenophobia is hypocritical because many Americans are themselves descendants of immigrants, suggesting only indigenous peoples have a right to fear outsiders. **In simple terms:** Xenophobia is hypocritical; only natives should fear newcomers. Key Takeaway Recognize shared immigrant roots and challenge xenophobic attitudes. Themes identity immigration xenophobia history nationalism Mood defiant critical reflective Type political social commentary When to use this quote - political debates - social media discussions - education curricula - community integration - policy making Key Concepts colonialism in-group bias historical irony Questions to Reflect On - How does personal ancestry affect your view on immigration? - What policies can reduce fear of newcomers? A Different Perspective Xenophobia can also stem from economic insecurity, not just historical hypocrisy. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Americans Afraid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/americans-afraid-403523/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Has beens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/has-beens/) [Immigrants](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/immigrants/) [Immigration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/immigration/) [Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long/) [Long time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-time/) [Native](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/native/) [Native american](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/native-american/) [Native americans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/native-americans/) [Nerves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nerves/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [People Xenophobia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-xenophobia-5264665/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Should have](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should-have/) [Shut up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shut-up/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Xenophobia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/xenophobia/) [Xenophobia Native](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/xenophobia-native-5264666/) ## Related quotes > [It's interesting to think about the history of Israel in relation to the history of the U.S.. 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We’re the people, we’re the human beings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-trudell/we-re-not-indians-and-we-re-not-native-americans-we-re-older-than/) [John Trudell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-trudell/) > [The Navajo Generating Station in Page, for example, employs hundreds of people, mostly Native Americans, and provides nearly all of the power for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-kirkpatrick/the-navajo-generating-station-in-page-for-example-employs-hundreds-of/) [Ann Kirkpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-kirkpatrick/) > [I think most Native American literature is unreadable by the vast majority of Native Americans. Generally speaking Indians don't read books. It's not a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherman-alexie/i-think-most-native-american-literature-is-unreadable-by-the-vast/) [Sherman Alexie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherman-alexie/) > [I have had vegan Thanksgiving of tofurkey and soy gravy. 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But I always had good grades, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/godfrey/i-was-always-the-class-clown-although-many-teachers-view-the-class/) [Godfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/godfrey/) > [If Mandela were a comedian, I bet he would never get mad at a heckler, he'd give him or her a hug.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/godfrey/if-mandela-were-a-comedian-i-bet-he-would-never-get-mad-at-a-heckler/) [Godfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/godfrey/) > [Customs is punishment for those who travel. This will teach you for traveling to our country!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/godfrey/customs-is-punishment-for-those-who-travel-this-will-teach-you-for/) [Godfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/godfrey/) > [I think that sometimes I've been a little too nice. I think you have to have a balance. 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