About the book
Epilepsy. Heart disease. Varicose veins. “Feeble-mindedness.” In 1891, Congress unambiguously codified the popular sentiment that “defects” like these should preclude admission to the United States. Expanding the eugenics-rooted restrictions of the 1882 Immigration Act, the new law conflated illness, poverty, and disability with criminality and “moral turpitude,” starkly revealing Congress’s vision of the “ideal” American. Simultaneously, American Jews sought security and acceptance in the United States. In confronting this American culture of exclusion, they boldly asserted that they too had the right, knowledge, and ability to shape the meaning of American national belonging and, indeed, the fabric of the country itself.
Able to Be American explores this tension, revealing how eugenic theories about illness and disability fundamentally shaped American society, government, and everyday life. As Jewish communal leaders contested the thorny relationship between perceived able-bodiedness and the ability to become American, they strove to reform federal immigration law and its implementation according to their own visions for what the United States could become. Hannah E. Zaves-Greene’s groundbreaking and richly sourced analysis weaves together archival documents, government records, and captivating case studies to expose enduring truths about exclusion, belonging, democracy, and citizenship at this watershed moment in US history.
Editions of Able to Be American
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781469697765
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781469697772
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469686479
- PDF
- ISBN 9781469697789
Read an Excerpt
Epilepsy. Heart disease. Varicose veins. “Feeble-mindedness.” In 1891, Congress unambiguously codified the popular sentiment that “defects” like these should preclude admission to the United States. Expanding the eugenics-rooted restrictions of the 1882 Immigration Act, the new law conflated illness, poverty, and disability with criminality and “moral turpitude,” starkly revealing Congress’s vision of the “ideal” American. Simultaneously, American Jews sought security and acceptance in the United States. In confronting this American culture of exclusion, they boldly asserted that they too had the right, knowledge, and ability to shape the meaning of American national belonging and, indeed, the fabric of the country itself.
Able to Be American explores this tension, revealing how eugenic theories about illness and disability fundamentally shaped American society, government, and everyday life. As Jewish communal leaders contested the thorny relationship between perceived able-bodiedness and the ability to become American, they strove to reform federal immigration law and its implementation according to their own visions for what the United States could become. Hannah E. Zaves-Greene’s groundbreaking and richly sourced analysis weaves together archival documents, government records, and captivating case studies to expose enduring truths about exclusion, belonging, democracy, and citizenship at this watershed moment in US history.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Able to Be American about?
Epilepsy. Heart disease. Varicose veins. “Feeble-mindedness.” In 1891, Congress unambiguously codified the popular sentiment that “defects” like these should preclude admission to the United States. Expanding the eugenics-rooted restrictions of the 1882 Immigration Act, the new law conflated illness, poverty, and disability with criminality and “moral turpitude,” starkly revealing Congress’s vision of the “ideal” American. Simultaneously, American Jews sought security and acceptance in the United States. In confronting this American culture of exclusion, they boldly asserted that they too had the right, knowledge, and ability to shape the meaning of American national belonging and, indeed, the fabric of the country itself.
Able to Be American explores this tension, revealing how eugenic theories about illness and disability fundamentally shaped American society, government, and everyday life. As Jewish communal leaders contested the thorny relationship between perceived able-bodiedness and the ability to become American, they strove to reform federal immigration law and its implementation according to their own visions for what the United States could become. Hannah E. Zaves-Greene’s groundbreaking and richly sourced analysis weaves together archival documents, government records, and captivating case studies to expose enduring truths about exclusion, belonging, democracy, and citizenship at this watershed moment in US history.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Able to Be American?
Society and Social Sciences > Society and culture: general > Social and ethical issues > Disability: social aspects
Where can I read a sample of Able to Be American?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781469697765
How long is Able to Be American and how many pages does it have?
Able to Be American has 304 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Able to Be American?
Hannah E. Zaves-Greene
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Able to Be American is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781469697765) and paperback(ISBN 9781469697772) and ebook(ISBN 9781469686479) and pdf(ISBN 9781469697789)
Where can I buy Able to Be American online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Able to Be American from below
Where can I buy Able to Be American?