Lois Rudnick explores, through compelling stories and visuals, the 150 year history of blaming immigrants for systemic economic, political, social, medical, educational, and cultural problems. This has resulted in our nation's inability to create sensible and sustainable immigration reform policies that would acknowledge the fact that, in the words of the usually saturnine Republican president, Calvin Coolidge: "We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now.", coming back home and learning about our local land bases is the central theme that will create a sustainable future.
Lois Rudnick is Professor Emerita of American Studies at the University of Massachusetts Boston, where she chaired the American Studies Department for 26 years and taught courses in American literature, history, and culture, including courses on U. S. multi-ethnic, literature, U.S. immigration, and on "American Identities." She has earned awards for her teaching and has published and lectured widely throughout the U.S. and in Europe.