Racial Discrimination

Like it or not, we live on a world that is rapidly increasing its rate of demographic change.  Ever since the Big Bang, there has been movement of sentient life forms (Observed by Charles Darwin) throughout the globe for various reasons, least of which was the mighty dollar … until today (This century).

Being a controversial subject, some would state that human movement has taken place for many centuries, but there has always been areas to easily and conveniently absorb that movement because of relatively small numbers … until today (This century).

The difference, today, is that global transportation enables anyone to move to the other side of the Earth in 24 hours, unlike in the past when cultures would take a generation to move across just one continent.  The result being stagnation of cultures within their own respective continents.

Unfortunately, geologically and environmentally, especially on the African continent, some cultures were dealt a poor hand which impeded a useful civilized development.  These people were black skinned.  Equally, the Indian continent suffered similarly and these people were brown.  Many indigenous peoples were also dark skinned, Australia is one example … America, another.

Today, geologically and especially environmentally, the Earth is experiencing rapid change, affecting, at least those cultures who were dealt the poor hand and, with the spread of electronic communication, they may observe the comfortable life of the white cultures who were dealt valuable aces and jokers. 

Thus, we have a situation of envious black and brown races believing it is their time to move again, but in greater numbers … for the mighty dollar.  They are, now, referred to as migrants; economic, illegal, and refugees.  Black, brown (Coloured) and poor … and usually uninvited.

When I, firstly, thought about writing this post, I had a slightly different subject in mind.  The upside down aspect of white Afrikaner people being killed in South Africa.  People who, I believe, according to the U.N., may not be given refugee status to move with the black and brown races to a safer continent.  Should we also be sympathetic to their plight … or is it a kind of karma.

Please comment.

A Piece Of Cardboard

It happened yesterday, and made getting asleep so very difficult that I had to write about it this morning … to someone.

Leaving the local Superstore, I was confronted by a woman sitting on a low wall looking quite sad.  She was colourfully well-dressed, complete with a hijab, and seemed healthy.  I was surprised, not so much by the Islamic dress, but by a an old piece of cardboard that she was holding tightly in front of her, upon which was written, “I AM POOR GIVE ME MONEY”.  I experienced the proverbial ‘double-take’ … and walked away.

That’s why I had difficulty sleeping — not because of the hijab (known to be worn by some Christians also) but because she was a Muslim and, therefore, without a doubt, a refugee … and ... I walked away.

I needed answers.  Why, on a cold November day, did she need to sit outside the Superstore, apparently ignored by most people?  Why didn’t she visit the local mosque and talk to a charitable imam.  The government gives welfare cheques to all refugees, why is it insufficient (It is greater than my pension)?  Does she have a husband who demands more money?

So many embarrassing questions that need to be addressed.

NB.  It must be noted that, personally, I have some acceptance of Canada’s refugee policies … it is illegal immigrants that make me extremely angry (whatever their ethnic origin).  Just saying.

Immigration 3 - Emigrate and Immigrate Amendment

This morning, I have been browsing my dictionary (One may usually be forgiven for spending large chunks of one’s life browsing an encyclopedia ... but browsing through a dictionary?).

I had wondered about the words, ‘emigrate’ and ‘immigrate’ as they could be misunderstood in today’s undercurrent of so-called ‘refugee’ chaos.

It was surprising to learn that both words were indicating an unfortunate status of permanence (“... comes to live permanently ....”)  I wondered at the political significance of this fact, and worried at its’ use for illegal economic migrants or ‘so-called’ temporary immigrants ... obviously, the latter cannot exist without an academic amendment to our dictionaries.

It seems to me that these two words should never be used in the context of refugees and illegal asylum seekers.  Acceptance as immigrants immediately grants them permanence ... until an immigration authority (CIC), following strict guidelines, grants them permanent status.

Therefore, it behooves all immigration authorities to, not only, give permanent status, but equally, expedite tough deportation procedures.

Politics 8 - Refugees

When one feels like discussing something interesting, it often becomes a debate. Then, we are told never to introduce those two dangerous subjects, Politics and Religion. But, try to discuss immigration and avoid an insulting argument, because immigration combines both politics and religion.

I wrote the following, as a comment, in a newspaper this morning.  Then, realized that I had a Blog, a worthy stage for my act.

Enter, stage right (or left).  No one political party in the world can design an equitable immigration policy, and those religions that preach 'Peace on Earth to all men', seem to forget those words when they leave the church or mosque.

Personally, I like to teach many people the difference between an 'immigrant' and a 'refugee'. In the 'ideal' world, immigrants should not cause major problems, but that assumes that immigration departments adhere to the regulations, i.e., no person (s) should be coming into a country without sufficient funds to support themselves for a defined period of time, or be sponsored by a business (or another individual) for a specific period of time, e.g., three years. After three years, they should qualify for resident or even citizen status.

But a refugee usually has no choice. They come, for various reasons, for fear of their lives. Once their case is proven, I am sure that most of us would be sympathetic to their situation. We may say, 'There, but for the grace of God, go I.' Nevertheless, I need to mention a rarely spoken, controversial point; If, and when, the fearful reason for their acceptance as refugees has passed, they must be encouraged to return to their safe country of origin ... and, from there, apply for immigration. A precedent exists, e.g., a tourist arrives in a country, loves it so much, decides to stay, but must return to their country of origin to apply at the embassy ... and prove educational skills, financial sufficiency, and criminal record, etc.

That is not discrimination.