Some comments that were made on my last post about immigrants and temporary status got me thinking about the broader issue.
I'll go at this in order. Well, from when people first came to North America. Aboriginals came across the Bering Strait and spread across North America. They were here first so have first rights.
Thousands of years later, Europeans showed up in America. At first it was very few. For hundreds of years there were no governments so no recognition of immigrant status. I believe most of the immigration occurred in the 1800. It wasn't long before they began fighting with each other.
Millions of immigrants came to North America. My family were immigrants. Mennonites who came later suffered extreme violence. Most of them lost everything. Mennonites here found them and paid to get them to Canada. They were here for economic reasons and to enjoy peace and freedom.
Now there are many many people around the world who find themselves in economic conditions where they cannot survive. Others do not have peace and freedom. They come to Europe in small leaky boats. Many of them perish. They leave family behind. The pressure is on them to support their families back home. Europeans are unhappy about the migrants. Europeans were in the same situation many times. After the second war many immigrants came here and it was with permanent status. They had nothing left back in Europe.
Globalization has made it easier for people to move around the world.
So here we are again with people who just want security, peace and freedom.
Very true Red. That's why so many immigrants try to enter other countries as they as escaping economic hardships. They will even gamble on getting to stay though they might come illegally. They really have nothing to lose. Now of course, there are always bad apples that spoil the whole bunch but many of the people arriving just want to work and gain something. The reality sets in after they've been paying taxes and not able to afford a house.
ReplyDeleteYou've got it right . They are desperate.
DeleteIt's too easy to forget and too hard to imagine ourselves in another's shoes.
ReplyDeleteYou're absolutely right. we have no idea of what hardships some people have.
DeleteWe are all immigrants here. Even the indigenous people can be classified that way in a sense although we don’t.
ReplyDeleteBTW I was listening to a YouTube podcast, I think done in an AI voice. They called it the Bering Detroit and pronounced it like we pronounce the city. I found it odd.
Since I got on this topic, I'm wondering if my family were legal or illegal. What was legal and what was illegal.
DeleteExactly right, Red.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteAmerica would not be where we are without immigrants.
I just want peace, security and freedom just everyone else.
Take care, have a wonderful week!
Immigrants have contributed greatly to our country.
DeleteI didn't know that about the early Mennonites. Hatred is so sad. Hoping peace can return around the world. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteThe Mennonites who came in the 20's and 30's suffered. Those who came to the US in the 1880's got out without the hardship. Many of the Mennonites from Kansas and Nebraska ended up in Canada.
DeleteMany people suffered It is so sad that people fear 'newcomers.'
DeleteWell said -Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteRed,
ReplyDeleteAcross the ice, across the sea,
They came with dreams of being free.
From ancient steps to modern flight,
Each journey born of hope and fright.
Today they seek what others won—
A peaceful place, a warmer sun.
May we recall, through every tide,
We too were once on the other side.
John 😊
John, I'm always impressed with your poetic comments. I hope you are putting them in a book.
DeleteRed, thank you for expressing your appreciation. Most of my blogging friends appreciate verse and some even come to my blog to say so. On the other hand, I do have at least one blog friend who doesn’t seem to like verse, so I want to make sure it’s appreciated before spending my time putting something together that isn’t even wanted. Now, as to a book … well, all of your comments, including the poetic, will be here as long as your blog is here. I am going to think about putting together a print-out of several of the ones I’ve left for you and mailing that to you. Not a promise … just a possibility. Otherwise, take care and have a good day. John
DeleteSo true. History repeats again and again.
ReplyDeleteThings change and people have to look for another home.
DeleteToo much "I'm alright Jack, pull up the ladder"....
ReplyDeleteWe just do not think about the other guy as long as we're Ok.
DeleteYou are right, Red. Probably will continue like this forever.
ReplyDeleteYou're right as conditions change.
DeleteAs long as they come legally!!
ReplyDeleteYou've got me thinking if our family came here legally. What was legal status in those days.
ReplyDeleteAll my ancestors were immigrants in their time, from Scotland and Germany.
ReplyDeleteAnd diversity is a strength, not a weakness.
ReplyDeleteIt is really thoughtful how you explore the history of people moving and finding new homes, from the very first people in North America to today. It is true that many groups, like your Mennonite family, experienced really hard times and were looking for peace and freedom. It makes you think about how we treat people who are in similar situations now.
ReplyDeleteImmigrants used to just come, and be welcome. Then they became "illegals". Now we are arresting them off the streets and shipping them to lands not even their own.
ReplyDeleteWhy?
Well said, Red. My father's side of our family came to North America in the early 1600's. But my mother's side only emigrated from Norway in her grandparents' day.
ReplyDeleteIt is strange how people think of immigrants. I can remember talking to a friend in Toronto (where Neil Young was born😀). My friend was born in Toronto but his parents were both from Estonia. At that time I had been in Canada for five years. We were talking about immigrants and their treatment. I disagreed with my friend on something and he said “you don’t understand because you aren’t an immigrant”. I pointed out that I was but he wasn’t.
ReplyDeleteKay of Musings: I guess the words on the Statue of Liberty no longer holds true,
ReplyDelete"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
This is thoughtful dear Red👍
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate the empathy your words hold for such unfortunate migrants.
My country isn’t the exception, so many youngsters try to migrate to Europe so they can live a normal life with basic rights as human. I agree many of them lost and drown in the way and their families back home suffer all life for their loss!
I wish people can find their basic human necessities in their homelands so they don’t have to risk their precious lives.