Migration policies are failing, migrants are strugling - ‘broken’ national immigration system

I need some serious evidence before I accept the claim that a well-known British journalist (whom I read on a semiregular basis) is a racist. This statement doesn't provide such evidence. Personally, I find racism disgusting. But I don't have the same reaction to a sane analysis of cultural differences, which do exert influence on society, regardless of what the politically correct among us proclaim. If you want to see this statement through some racial paradigm, it's up to you. My standards for what truly constitutes racism are much higher.

 

A non-racist person can state an opinion that is racist.

The actual definition of someone being racist can be tricky. I've used my parents many times in this forum as examples of people that I think are racist. They did not think that they were racist. They said things that convince me that they were though. For example, they believed that blacks were less intelligent than white folks but better athletes. They were disgusted by the idea of white and black people having kids. They didn't seem racist against Hispanic people. It was okay for white and Hispanic folks to get married. Dark skinned folks from the middle east were okay. I'm sure that my parents would whole heartedly agree with the position that immigrants from Mexico are fine but not from sub-Sahara Africa. So were my parents racist? I say yes. But to them they believed that they were not racist because they didn't hate anyone.

 

Yes, but if they become aware it's racist, and the reason why, they'll know better than to do so again, right?

 

The U.S. has a very long history of explicit racial discrimination in our immigration law. We have tended to favor white people from Northern Europe and disfavor those from East Asia. The first official broadening i know of was post Civil War when Congress added "Africans and Persons of African descent" to the desirable category.

None of this was illegal. Applicants for immigrant visas generally have no constitutional rights unless they are actually present in the country.

Over time, we have become ever more diverse through immigration. I see this as a good thing. The food improves if nothing else.

But it ought to be clearly understood that this increased diversity is largely the result of policy set by Congress and not any fundamental rights.

There is one source of pressure, to be sure; other countries can protest against discrimination against their own nationals.

 

Music gets more interesting, too. Anything to counteract the cultural corrosion of Country Western!

 

Zeke: Y'heard whut-all th'man said. ... he wuz talkin' 'bout MAH music! Now, git th' rope, Clem!

Seriously, one country - the USA, holds whole universes of music. Incredible variety, much of which was born outside of America and brought here by immigrants. And much again, that originated here and has spilled over into the rest of the world, where it was enthusiastically received.

I reflect sometimes that a great deal of this American phenomenon owes its basic, primal origins to "Forced Immigration" - Descendants of captured Africans, sent here as slaves; those 12,000,000 people who were shipped here under horrifying conditions - or, more accurately, descendants of the 10,500,000 people who survived the voyage and brought the "seeds" of African music here.The the first planting was fruitful, flourished, and was nurtured and developed. Loving, musical caregivers raised each strain to maturity - and continue to care for it. New, younger caregivers constantly care for new strains.

We - every lover of American music - owe the people who gave us the seeds of this music an incalculable debt.

 

I just spent a lovely day at the Musical Instruments Museum in Phoenix. The influence of African music is strong throughout the Americas.

 

I would hope so! Let's try a different approach. Let's try to go from a dictionary definition type approach.

racist (plural racists)

1. A person who believes in or supports racism; a person who believes that a particular race is superior to others, or who discriminates against other races

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/racist

Sounds simple enough. I think the applicable part for this definition is what comes after the "or". So a racist would be one who discriminates against other races. From my point of view, saying that sub-Saharan Africans shouldn't be allowed to immigrate into this country is discriminating against Blacks. Sure he threw in some statement about because their culture is less similar to USA culture. That makes no real sense to me and seems to really be nothing more than a clumsy transparent cover for blatant racism. USA culture is already a wide ranging Hodge podge of differing cultures. It doesn't seem to have really caused any special problems for any particular culture to assimilate. He's just trying to hide the racism of his statement. At least that is my view.

 

Thanks Bill. Understood and agreed on this. I apologize. I lost track of the overall context here and stuck to that one sentence, about non-racists sometimes saying racist things. Hence my last reply. I was pleasantly lost in those better (pre-demonization) times when being "woke" was a good thing.

 

Douglas Murray’s book: “The War on the West” - taken from the introduction and the chapter on race:

"There is an obvious, observable truth about people in the West. Historically the citizens of Europe and their offspring societies in the Americas and Australasia have been white. Not absolutely everybody has been. But the majority have. The definition is tautological—white means mostly having ancestors from Europe. Just as the majority of people in Africa have been black and the majority of people in the Indian subcontinent have been brown. If for some reason you wished to level an assault on everything to do with Africa, you might well at some point decide to target people for being black. If you wanted to delegitimize everything about Indians, you might at some stage decide to attack its people for the color of their skin. Both would be inhumane and would today be easily identified as such. But in the war on the West, white people are one of the first subjects of attack. A fact that has been steadily normalized and made into the only acceptable form of racism in the societies in which it happens. To delegitimize the West, it appears to be necessary first to demonize the people who still make up the racial majority in the West. It is necessary to demonize white people. Sometimes the results of this play out in front of everybody’s eyes. In August 2021, the results of the US census that had been carried out the previous year were released. One of the headline facts was that the number of white people in America had declined. On his Tonight Show, Jimmy Fallon mentioned this in his lead monologue. “The results of the 2020 census just came out,” he told his studio audience and viewers at home. “And for the first time in American history, the number of white people went down.” In response to this, the studio audience whooped and cheered uproariously. For them, it was not just funny news, but good news. Not that the percentage of whites went down but that the actual number of white people alive went down. And though this might come as a surprise to some people, for many of us, this ugly movement had been growing for years."


[In America] “As in Europe, there were powerful individuals and entities claiming that the only countries that were civilized were those that let the world in. It was the same in Canada. And it was the same on the other side of the world in Australia. Everywhere, societies that counted as “Western” (that is, European countries or countries descended from European civilization) experienced the same pattern of arguments. Nowhere that wasn’t Western got any such treatment. Only the Western countries, spread across three continents, were told constantly that in order to have any legitimacy at all—to be even considered decent—they should swiftly and fundamentally alter their demographic makeup. The vision of the twenty-first century appeared to be that China would be allowed to remain China, the various countries of the Far and Middle East and Africa should be allowed—indeed expected—to remain as they were, or even return to something they may have once been. But the countries identifiable as the countries of “The West” were expected to become something else or lose all legitimacy. Of course, countries and states have the right to change. Over time a certain amount of change is inevitable. But there seemed something loaded in what was going on: something unbalanced and off-kilter. The arguments were being made not out of love for the countries in question but out of a barely disguised loathing for them. In the eyes of many people, not least within their own populations, these countries appeared to have done something wrong. Something for which they must atone. The West was the problem. The dissolving of the West was a solution.”

Murray’s definition of racism:

"That was only a few years ago, but still then, outside of academic circles and racist organizations, it was deemed discourteous to lump people together and dismiss them simply because of the color of their skin. An earlier generation had come to the sensible conclusion that dismissing people, vilifying them, or generalizing about them simply because of the color of their skin was the definition of racism. And racism had become viewed as among the ugliest of human evils. Fail to take people into account as individuals, and we knew where it could lead: to the horrors of the mid-twentieth century, to the nightmares of Rwanda and Bosnia at the end of that century. Closer to home, it led to the racial segregation and occasional racial violence that had scarred America’s past, as it had the past of so many other countries."

 

Well…a couple of centuries of colonialism, exploitation, genocide, and slavery leave a good deal for white people to answer for. The other problem is white people STILL have the power and wealth.

 

I am not necessarily opposed to some form of reparation, as long as it takes into account the specific Western countries that have engaged in exploitation and colonial practice in Africa. They (and not other white-majority countries, which had nothing to do with it) should be held to account. Just as I believe that Germany should pay reparations to Poland for what it has done here. As for power and wealth disparities, you won't fix that by taking millions of Africans into Europe and North America, even though I can fully understand their desire to reach those shores. These people should not be demonized. But they need to build the wealth of their countries, not European-descent ones.

 

No, these people can build the wealth of their own families, instead of being held responsible for fixing problems left by the colonizers. At least they should be the ones making these kinds of decisions for themselves. As should everyone else, and here's the novel concept - regardless of the color of their skin or the continent of origin.

 

https://www.ablison.com/pros-and-cons-of-multiculturalism/
30 Pros and Cons of Multiculturalism

Pros of Multiculturalism

1. Promotes diversity and tolerance: Multiculturalism encourages people to accept and celebrate different cultures, religions, and traditions. This can lead to a more harmonious society and reduce the likelihood of conflicts.
2. Enriches cultural exchange: People from diverse backgrounds can share their customs, languages, and beliefs with one another, leading to new ideas and perspectives.
3. Boosts creativity and innovation: A diverse workforce can inspire new ideas and approaches, leading to better problem-solving and more creative products and services.
4. Improves global relations: Multiculturalism fosters better understanding and cooperation between countries, as people are more likely to appreciate and respect other cultures.
5. Strengthens the economy: A diverse population can lead to increased trade, tourism, and investment opportunities, as well as a broader range of skills and talents in the workforce.
6. Enhances educational experiences: Students in multicultural environments can learn from peers with different backgrounds and perspectives, leading to a well-rounded education.
7. Promotes social justice and equality: Multiculturalism encourages the recognition and appreciation of different cultures, helping to reduce discrimination and social inequalities.
8. Increases adaptability and resilience: Exposure to different cultures can help individuals become more adaptable and resilient, as they learn to navigate and appreciate diversity.
9. Fosters global citizenship: Multiculturalism can help people develop a sense of global citizenship and responsibility, as they gain a greater understanding of the world and its complexities.
10. Encourages language learning: Living in a multicultural society often encourages individuals to learn multiple languages, leading to increased communication skills and better career prospects.
11. Reduces stereotypes and prejudices: By fostering understanding and appreciation for different cultures, multiculturalism can help break down stereotypes and prejudices.
12. Improves problem-solving skills: Exposure to different cultures and perspectives can enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
13. Enhances cultural competence: By interacting with diverse groups, individuals can develop cultural competence, which is essential in today’s globalized world.
14. Increases empathy and understanding: Multiculturalism can help individuals develop empathy and understanding for people from different backgrounds, leading to more compassionate and supportive communities.
15. Enriches the arts and entertainment: A multicultural society can lead to a diverse range of artistic and cultural expressions, providing enrichment and enjoyment for all.

Cons of Multiculturalism

1. Potential for cultural clashes: When people from different backgrounds come together, there can be disagreements and misunderstandings based on cultural differences.
2. Loss of cultural identity: Some people may feel that their cultural identity is threatened or diluted by the presence of other cultures.
3. Language barriers: Communication can be challenging when people speak different languages, which can lead to misunderstandings and frustrations.
4. Increased competition for resources: A diverse population can sometimes lead to increased competition for jobs, housing, and other resources.
5. Integration challenges: Some individuals may struggle to adapt to a new culture, leading to feelings of isolation and alienation.
6. Possible rise in discrimination and racism: In some cases, multiculturalism can lead to increased discrimination and racism, as people may feel threatened by those from different cultural backgrounds.
7. Cultural relativism: Multiculturalism can sometimes lead to cultural relativism, where people may believe that all cultural practices are equally valid, even if they conflict with human rights and values.
8. Segregation and self-segregation: In some multicultural societies, different cultural groups may choose to live separately from one another, leading to segregation and a lack of social cohesion.
9. Difficulty in maintaining traditions: Some people may find it challenging to preserve and maintain their cultural traditions in a diverse society.
10. Strain on social services: An influx of immigrants can sometimes put a strain on social services, such as healthcare and education.
11. Challenges in law enforcement: Different cultural practices and beliefs can sometimes create challenges for law enforcement and the legal system.
12. Difficulty in forming a national identity: A multicultural society may struggle to form a cohesive national identity, leading to a lack of unity and shared values.
13. Potential for extremism: In some cases, individuals may become more radicalized in their beliefs when exposed to other cultures, leading to the rise of extremist ideologies.
14. Loss of social cohesion: A lack of shared values and experiences can sometimes lead to reduced social cohesion and increased division within society.
15. Overemphasis on differences: In some multicultural societies, the focus on celebrating diversity can lead to an overemphasis on differences rather than shared experiences and values.

 

My view is that this reverse racism espoused by Murray's quote is some pretty sinister racism. After reading only one racist quote of his I was reluctant to label him a racist. I'm much more convinced now.

Of course the worst racists by far are the ones that embrace and are proud of their racist views. But folks like my parents that didn't believe that they were racist are far more common. By the way I heard my racist parents make similar comments to some of that last paragraph that Tadj tagged as Murray's definition of of racism.

 

Where's the sinister aspect in his definition, Bill?

 

Honestly, I think the world faces more pressing issues right now. If you want to dissect this author's quote for hidden racism and make parallels to what you heard from your parents, you are welcome to do that ("An earlier generation had come to the sensible conclusion that dismissing people, vilifying them, or generalizing about them simply because of the color of their skin was the definition of racism.") . I am not even concerned about Donald Trump's "racism." But I am seriously wondering about the implications of his statements on NATO, as they do require a lot more consideration and attention: https://archive.is/fD6Vv

 

Trump is trying to capitalize on issues that in the past gave him momentum.
Beating on NATO is one of them. While demanding for members to fulfill their financial obligations is valid, the treats to NATO member states that NATO won't be there for them if they don't pay, sounds to me like a demand for protection money and creating fractures.
An allie would offer to help struggling member but will be critical of one's who can but won't pay, if there are such members.
Former head of Israeli intelligence also responded to latest sayings on Israel walking away 2 days before the execution of the plan eliminating Suleimany..
As to world affairs, the wars, desasters, corrupted crime states, always create refugees who will do what they can to migrate to safer lands.

 

I hope that he's just asking other members to truly contribute to collective security. Hard to tell.