Should Imigrants adapt to the country, or the country adapt to them?

[-Davo]

I got this in an email from my mum just today, and the e-mail boasts it was originally from a South Australian Newspaper, whether or not this is true, I whole heartedly agree with every word this article says.

I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some
individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali, we have
experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians. However,
the dust from the attacks had barely settled when the "politically
correct" crowd began complaining about the possibility that our patriotism
was offending others. I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a
grudge against anyone who is seeking a better life by coming to Australia.
However, there are a few things that those who have recently come to our
country, and apparently some born here, need to understand.

This idea of Australiabeing a multicultural community has served only to
dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. As Australians, we have
our own culture, our own society, our own language and our own lifestyle

This culture has been developed over centuries of struggles, trials and
victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom. We speak
ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or
any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society,
Learn the language!

"In God We Trust" is our National Motto. This is not some Christian,
right wing, political slogan. We adopted this motto because Christian men
and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is
clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the
walls of our schools . If God offends you, then I suggest you consider
another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our
culture.

If the Southern Cross offends you, or you don't like ' A Fair Go, ' then
you should seriously consider a move to another part of this planet. We
are happy with our culture and have no desire to change, and we really
don't care how you did things where you came from.

This is OUR COUNTRY, Our Land, and Our Lifestyle, and we will allow you
every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining,
whining, and griping about our Flag, Our Pledge, Our National Motto, or
Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great
Australian freedom, "THE RIGHT TO LEAVE".

This can be applied to most countrys where similar laws have been implaced.

[twospirits]

Not that thing again.

Strange how the change some of the wording for Australians, but that was originally an email sent out here in the States. We even have a thread about it a few pages back recently.

You can tell it was originally from the states, because if I am not mistaken Australia does not have a Southern Cross, plus i did not know you Aussies have In God We Trust as your motto. I thought it was something else.

One thing is true though, you Aussies do have a different language. The only time I can understand you folks is when you are typing.
J/k

TS out

[Raz_Kaz]

They believe in women are second to men, they beleieve that a man should work and woman stay home to cook and clean. That's the way of life in their country, why are people so apt to change their lifestyle?

[MikeLee2484]

while i think the article is a bit extreme...and not australian...i feel the original question of should the country or immigrant conform...the answer from me is the immigrant...if i went to spain i should learn the language...if i went to england i should know something about the culture...thats what i expect...and thats what immigrants should expect as well

[T4 Primera]

I believe the answer is both depending on the history of the country.

Immigrants should conform somewhat in a country dominated by the culture of the INDIGENOUS people of that land.

However, in a country born out of colonization and oppression of the indigenous population - when you conform to the indigenous way of life, then you can lecture others about culture - until then .

[RickwithaTbird]

Originally Posted by T4 Primera

I believe the answer is both depending on the history of the country.

Immigrants should conform somewhat in a country dominated by the culture of the INDIGENOUS people of that land.

However, in a country born out of colonization and oppression of the indigenous population - when you conform to the indigenous way of life, then you can lecture others about culture - until then .

bah..

theres like 300 million people here already. In 2005, those 300M are the indigenous culture.

Force change again because it was wrong when it happened the first time 500 years ago?

No.

But that doesn't mean I think the culture shouldn't adapt to the world. The world is connected now, and to say that everybody needs to learn english or stay out is wrong. I don't think everybody from the US who travels elsewhere learns all the languages before they take their trip. I think we should be accomodating to tourism, but that immigrants should adapt to to their new country rather than make its residents adapt to them. Its unfair.



and whoever edited that email to be Australian... flippin idiot, gosh.

[fredjacksonsan]

If you decide to move to another country, you should confom inasmuch as you:
a) Learn the language. It's amazing that someone can live in another country for 40 years and not learn the language.
b) Obey the laws. You are after all in another country and the laws may well be different, but it was your choice.

Fit in.

This is not to say that if you do move to a different culture, you shouldn't keep your own culture and traditions. But to flaunt those traditions/actions in the face of your new "neighbors" is at the least impolite.

The new country, if they allowed certain people to migrate there, should have a bit of tolerance while the N00bs settle in. But that tolerance and patience should go right out the window if/when the new people start giving their new home the finger.

[taranaki]

Originally Posted by RickwithaTbird

bah..

theres like 300 million people here already. In 2005, those 300M are the indigenous culture.

Force change again because it was wrong when it happened the first time 500 years ago?

No.

T4 is referring to Australia, I believe.

24% of all Australians were born overseas. Better get used to that idea,Davo, because I'd guess that there's people in your family who fall into that category.

[Fully_Sick]

I believe the answer is both depending on the history of the country.

Immigrants should conform somewhat in a country dominated by the culture of the INDIGENOUS people of that land.

However, in a country born out of colonization and oppression of the indigenous population - when you conform to the indigenous way of life, then you can lecture others about culture - until then

That is such a good point.

Certain people in Australia (from my experience of living here most of my life) always complain that immigrants arent "aussie" enough. The real question is "aussies" arent "indigenous" enough. It seems history has a way of dissapearing in such arguments.

[Thunda Downunda]

Originally Posted by T4 Primera

I believe the answer is both depending on the history of the country.

Immigrants should conform somewhat in a country dominated by the culture of the INDIGENOUS people of that land.

However, in a country born out of colonization and oppression of the indigenous population - when you conform to the indigenous way of life, then you can lecture others about culture - until then .

Depends on your take of the word indigenous. To some it means 'born of a land' or native to it

Six generations and 205 years ago an ancestor of mine was born here in Australia, and I feel about as damn Australian as it gets thanx very much. Where else do I belong?

Please inform me how long - how many generations and just how many centuries of direct lineage, loyalty and service, praytell, is it adjudged to take by the PC crowd etc (including alien jurists) for a native-born Aussie to acceptably qualify as legitimately belonging to their own country - the land of their birth and heritage?

Not wishing to lecture, mind, but do you conform to the indigenous way of life of your country while you lecture mine? For example, how do you procure food and what is your diet? Does it on rare occasion 'taste like pork'

Do you use a flush-toilet?

[Fully_Sick]

^Imagine if you lived in a country for a few hundred years, then you got murdered, bred out of race, and persecuted for looking different to the new people?

Of course your "aussie" if you've been living there for that many generations. But just think, how many "indigenous" people have died(murdered) or had some really bad shit happen to them(eg lost generation), so you can uphold "direct lineage, loyalty and service" and all that crap.

You cant discount shit like Tasmania? know what happened there mate? too bad CNN wasnt around in those days

[fredjacksonsan]

Same thing happened to the indigenous people of north and south america, when the Europeans came over. It's a shame really, but 500 years later it's difficult if impossible to rectify.

[YogsVR4]

Originally Posted by Fully_Sick

^Imagine if you lived in a country for a few hundred years, then you got murdered, bred out of race, and persecuted for looking different to the new people?

Then I'd have been one of the longest living person ever to walk the earth.


You should also realize that the people that were there a few hundred years ago displaced other people who had been there for hundreds of years who replaced other folks who took over from some others who had overrun the people who were there. Just how far back should this go on?

[drewh4386]

Originally Posted by YogsVR4

Then I'd have been one of the longest living person ever to walk the earth.


You should also realize that the people that were there a few hundred years ago displaced other people who had been there for hundreds of years who replaced other folks who took over from some others who had overrun the people who were there. Just how far back should this go on?

good point. but it "could" go as far back as there were inhabitants of land.
But I do feel like you should adapt to what you are going to. not have them adapt to you.

[Fully_Sick]

Yogs- What Iam basically saying is that there must be some sort of respect for the people who have been there longer. Times have changed since the old invade and conquer days (or have they).

Do you not agree that native American Indians should be respected as being the indigenous people of the land?
Same applies for Australia, if your an immigrant its not just the Anglo Saxon tradition that must be respected but more importantly the people who have been there since the beginning.