In this episode of The Bigfoot Manifesto, we explore why the United States has always been obsessed with “the Other.” From UFO invasion stories to political fear campaigns about migrants, the narrative rarely changes—only the target does.
To help break it down, Dave sits down with Dr. Nandita Sharma, Professor of Sociology at the University of Hawai’i and author of Home Rule. Her work challenges the foundations of borders, nationalism, and the dangerous myth that some people are “native” while others are perpetual outsiders.
Together, we discuss:
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Why “alien” and “invasion” metaphors dominate immigration discourse
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How governments, media, and private industry profit from immigration fear
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The political invention of borders and the illusion of national belonging
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What a post-national, human-centered world might look like
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Why migration isn’t a crisis but humanity’s oldest survival strategy
Dr. Sharma offers a powerful reframing of migration—one rooted in history, sociology, and a vision beyond fear.
Learn More About Dr. Nandita Sharma
Home Rule: National Sovereignty and the Separation of Natives and Migrants https://www.dukeupress.edu/home-rule
Official Website https://nanditasharma.ca/
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