This Letter to the Editor appeared in our local paper yesterday:
Refugees such as was I, from communist Czechoslovakia in 1948 had to wait two and a half years in refugee camps before we were allowed to come to this legendary Land of Liberty.
My father received a death sentence (in absentia) from the Stalinist regime. Yet even with family history of pro-American political and journalistic activity, there was no fast track for me to come to America.
For me to come to the United States I needed a sponsor of good moral character who would vouch for me that I also was a child with a value system compatible with “The American Way”.
Why, pray tell, should not “refugees” from traditions which are hostile to our Constitution be given preferential treatment and a fast track to immigration?
—Petr Jandacek
Do you think Jandacek makes a valid point? Do you think he’s making some unwarranted assumptions?
December 11, 2015
If we let that happen in India, we will have floods of applicants from at least two hostile neighbours!
It’s a tricky business. Easier for India because it’s clear you already have your hands full. America has plenty of problems too, and we’re not handling them very well.
Obviously I feel sorry for the writer’s experience, however, I think his argument misguided. Times change, circumstances change. I don’t like it when people say that just because they had it hard (in comparable situations) everyone else should too. Why? I find that sentiment so mean spirited (possibly borne out of an understandable bitterness). I am no saint but I firmly believe that if, and enlightened by times gone by, we can make life more bearable for each other it’s a reason to rejoice not to begrudge their lot being better than ours.
As to your second question whether the writer makes “some unwarranted assumptions”, yes, absolutely. Who knows how many of these people seeking entry are “hostile to the States’ Constitution”? This sentiment is dangerously close to Trump’s lunatic quest to refuse all Muslims, equating those of Muslim faith with latent potential to turn into fanatics. It’s an outrage. Nothing new though. History shows that when one group in a community is singled out as sinister and responsible for all ills that may have befallen that society then it’ll all go sour. For everyone.
What’s your own take, Jean, on both counts?
U
I think the U.S. was too hard on his family, but clearly some vetting is a good idea. I obviously don’t think you can say that all immigrants from Syria, Iraq, etc. have traditions that are hostile to our constitution.
I do think it’s a good idea to know the immigrants will be able to create a decent life for themselves. Sweden is swamped right now by sheer numbers. They’re having trouble even providing beds and shelter. Good intentions aren’t enough, you have to be able to follow through.
I entirely agree Ursula
The argument seems to be that past injustice and cruelty should be perpetuated. I don’t think much of this line of argument.
The value system envisaged was Native American was it? After all, we wouldn’t want people bringing foreign value systems now would we?
How much diversity is there in Australia? I remember when we visited years ago. Before they let us in we had to prove that we had a ticket out. I get the impression Australia still doesn’t welcome immigrants with open arms. If that’s true I assume you object to the policy? What would you propose?
Australia is very weird at the moment.
Over the last couple of decades racism has increased – due to a past PM called John Howard capitalising on this for his electoral purposes (disgusting).
The hostility is mostly directed at those by arriving by boat. And at Muslim’s. And when both it is especially vile.
Australia is one of the most ethnically diverse societies on earth – it tends to be a competition between us and Israel. And Australia is quite peaceful. There is little religious violence, although there have been some attempts at jihadi fuelled violence.
Our attitudes to refugees are far worse than those in the US from what I can gather. Both our major parties have a policy that is basically child torture to deter people from fleeing for their lives. (We incarcerate refugees including women and children, in indefinite detention, have sent them back to the country they fled in violation of international law. All justified by the lie that they needn’t flee. I could go on.) The disgust and contempt I have for our major parties at the moment defies expression – or perhaps polite expression.
I’m afraid more countries will end up being harsh as there are more and more mass migrations because of all the changes in the world. It’s sad.
I agree that just because someone had to suffer through injustice and hardships, that everyone else who follows shouldn’t be made to endure the same fate. No one said that life is fair. It’s definitely not.
I agree with you that there needs to be some vetting and not blindly let someone have refuge that has questionable ties.
Honestly, I am surrounded by people who think that NO ONE should be allowed in this country. They say that we need to take care of the people already here who are poor and hungry . They also think that everyone wants to do our country harm. Sometimes I feel like they think that I’m naive and a bleeding heart because I see those poor people arriving in little boats with their little ones clinging to them terrified…. How can we not help?
How can people see that and turn them away?
The trouble is there are humanitarian disasters occurring all over the world, it’s not just the refugees from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. But as I understand it, they’re the only ones that will be offered asylum. Then there’s the question of how many refugees a country is able to provide for. If you’re in a lifeboat and a lot of people are drowning around you, how many can you save without sinking the boat, and how do you choose which ones? It will be interesting to see how it plays out in Germany and Sweden, they’re the countries who are being swamped because of their open arms. I’m wishing them all the best. They deserve it.
we have quotas [in New Zealand] but I don’t really know much about it all – we have a wide range of ethnic groups here…
I just read a bit about ethnic diversity in NZ. In 2004 the Minister of Ethnic Affairs said,
Good for NZ!