His Panic: Why Americans Fear Hispanics in the U.S.

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Author: Geraldo Rivera

Genre: Nonfiction

Rating: **** (4 Stars)

Summary:

His Panic is, as the title suggests, about immigration, immigration reform, and the prevalent negative attitude of Americans toward Hispanic immigrants.  Geraldo Rivera sets out to to address many of those perceptions and make a case for a more liberal immigration policy.

The author compares the current wave of central and south American immigrants to the past migrations of Europeans, including the Irish after the Potato Famine.  He cites the example of violence toward Irish immigrants in New York City, and suggests that current attitudes are simply history repeating itself with the hatred focusing on a different group.

Geraldo addresses a number of negative perceptions surrounding Hispanic immigrants, asserting that most immigrants are law-abiding, hardworking, patriotic and benefit the United States by their presence here.  He also accuses certain radio and TV commentators of spreading misinformation to sway public opinion against immigration reform, citing and refuting several examples.

My Thoughts:

Sneakyreader.com is not a political site, and I thought long and hard about reviewing a book on such a hot-button political issue.  I can’t elaborate my opinions without violating the boundaries I’ve set for this blog, but I will say that His Panic challenged my assumptions about Hispanic immigrants.  I found it both interesting and compelling.  His Panic is a persuasive exposition of the arguments in favor of immigration, and I highly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in the debate.

Potentially Offensive Content:

Any political book has the potential to offend people who disagree with its conclusions.  I thought, however, that Mr. Rivera’s style was congenial, respectful, and positive, and I think most people will appreciate that whether or not they agree with him.

Have you read this book?  Share your opinion by posting a comment below.

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