Yes, and No, Karen....Don't know where your article was from, but I can't agree here...
Despite right-wing criticism that such policies discourage merit and pander to minorities — shades of the pseudo-secular argument — countries such as Canada, Australia and Britain and persisted with official multiculturalism and declared it by and large successful.
People that come to a new country, should want, AND be expected to follow the customs of the land and it's laws....and should NOT expect their new country to bend over for them just because they "have arrived." When our massive immigration period of the mid 1800's to early 1900's was in full swing, we had people from many nations coming to this relatively new country. They ALL, no matter who they were, learned English, and learned the current laws of the land. Most of these people pitched in and tried to become a productive citizen of their new homeland, both for themselves, and their families, but for the country as a whole.
Personally, I feel that even the US has let our new immigrants down to a degree, by not having those expectations of them. How can they feel like they are responsible and valued citizens without a sense of belonging?
If the immigrants to Europe don't feel they have a stake in the land and customs of their new country, is it any wonder why many of them are feeling discontented? People need to feel the sense they belong, and are valued. |
