But we must also take the time to acknowledge that there can be a thin line in American society between celebration and condemnation. Sometimes we are quick to praise individuals from various communities that make up the fabric of American life but we can be just as quick to stereotype and stigmatize the communities from which these individuals come from. Immigrant bashing. hate crimes. wholesale characterizations about this or that group are not only hurtful. they are disrespectful and harm our entire society. We are in the midst of a series of charges and countercharges about espionage at the Department of Energy labs. alleged fundraising from foreign sources. and our relationship with the Peoples Republic of China is probably at its lowest point during this decade. We all have a serious responsibility to make clear and understandable distinctions between the activities of foreign agents. criminal spies and the Asian Pacific American communities which help make this country strong and vibrant.
Identified stereotypes
Generalizations about immigrant communities.