Immigration
The recent demonstrations in Dallas over new legislation about immigration (running the gamut from a general amnesty to "guest-worker" status to stricter enforcement of already existant laws) come right when we're discussing immigration in my French culture class.
After Algerian independence in the 1960s, and after a civil war there, and after a return to fundamental Islam, and after another civil war (and maybe another one after that, I get lost), 1 in 3,000 people leave the country every year (net migration rate: CIA WorldFactbook), which is 11,000 people total every year (I think, my math is none too good). That's not that many, but the influx into France from Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, and the other former colonial countries in the Middle East and subsaharan Africa adds up to something of a deluge of people coming in. This wouldn't be such a problem if France assimilated people as America does, inviting people to come as they are, bring their culture with them, and learn English and engage in our culture. Unfortunately, France seems to shuffle immigrants (especially those of Middle Eastern background) into the HLMs (habitations a loyer modere - low rent housing) that surround Paris and other large cities. In a film entitled "La Haine" (The Hate) the film-maker takes you into this world of poverty and oppression and shows the dark reality of France's inability to assimilate its immigrants.
The inhabitants of these high-rise villages speak Arabic at home, a Franco-Arab dialect with each other, and French at school. They go to secular schools where the veil is not worn and laicite (secularism) is taught as the norm and civilized way of life; they go home to fundamental Islam. Because they don't speak proper French, they are not viewed as truly French people. Many were born in France to immigrant parents. They are the amphibian people, living somewhere between North Africa and France, but not in either of them. As France's unemployment is at 10% in the country and even higher in these areas, the HLM districts are full of young men, full of confusion and frustration, with nothing to do. Thus, cars get burned and neighborhoods riot, as happened last fall.
It is amazing to me that we don't have the same problem here. The recent demonstrations have been peaceful, with the American and Mexican flags flying together during the marches. I'm not completely up on all that is behind the marches or what exactly they're protesting. But it is very telling to me that even my French French teacher (meaning that he teaches French and is from France) thinks that France assimilates immigrants poorly and Americans do it well (he also thinks Americans are very hospitable and nice, which may play into that as well).
My personal thoughts: laws concerning immigration should probably be reformed. Illegal immigrants should be encouraged to self-identify and be processed, in this country, to obtain legal status. The borders should have tighter control now and we should insist that those not already illegal in country should go through 'proper' channels to obtain a license to live here. Economic arguments, etc., don't interest me (ask Norman why).
Has anyone else been thinking about this topic or just the poor French students?
After Algerian independence in the 1960s, and after a civil war there, and after a return to fundamental Islam, and after another civil war (and maybe another one after that, I get lost), 1 in 3,000 people leave the country every year (net migration rate: CIA WorldFactbook), which is 11,000 people total every year (I think, my math is none too good). That's not that many, but the influx into France from Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, and the other former colonial countries in the Middle East and subsaharan Africa adds up to something of a deluge of people coming in. This wouldn't be such a problem if France assimilated people as America does, inviting people to come as they are, bring their culture with them, and learn English and engage in our culture. Unfortunately, France seems to shuffle immigrants (especially those of Middle Eastern background) into the HLMs (habitations a loyer modere - low rent housing) that surround Paris and other large cities. In a film entitled "La Haine" (The Hate) the film-maker takes you into this world of poverty and oppression and shows the dark reality of France's inability to assimilate its immigrants.
The inhabitants of these high-rise villages speak Arabic at home, a Franco-Arab dialect with each other, and French at school. They go to secular schools where the veil is not worn and laicite (secularism) is taught as the norm and civilized way of life; they go home to fundamental Islam. Because they don't speak proper French, they are not viewed as truly French people. Many were born in France to immigrant parents. They are the amphibian people, living somewhere between North Africa and France, but not in either of them. As France's unemployment is at 10% in the country and even higher in these areas, the HLM districts are full of young men, full of confusion and frustration, with nothing to do. Thus, cars get burned and neighborhoods riot, as happened last fall.
It is amazing to me that we don't have the same problem here. The recent demonstrations have been peaceful, with the American and Mexican flags flying together during the marches. I'm not completely up on all that is behind the marches or what exactly they're protesting. But it is very telling to me that even my French French teacher (meaning that he teaches French and is from France) thinks that France assimilates immigrants poorly and Americans do it well (he also thinks Americans are very hospitable and nice, which may play into that as well).
My personal thoughts: laws concerning immigration should probably be reformed. Illegal immigrants should be encouraged to self-identify and be processed, in this country, to obtain legal status. The borders should have tighter control now and we should insist that those not already illegal in country should go through 'proper' channels to obtain a license to live here. Economic arguments, etc., don't interest me (ask Norman why).
Has anyone else been thinking about this topic or just the poor French students?
posted by Annie @ 1:07 PM
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