This picture is a picture of EUROPEAN refugees fleeing the war towards Africa . Many eventually traveled to Argentina and Brazil. Now the tables have turned but we forget .
@cierzo: I agree in your points . I always think the immigrants must be ready to fully integrate to the nation/ culture that sponsors them . That includes willingness to work, learn the language and obey the local rules . Refugees however , have very little choice . Their option was possible death and they escape with very little recourses and unexpectedly . Not time for planning . A Syrian refugee never wanted to leave Syria but had no other recourse ( or face death) for instance .
Exactly! Accepting refugees is simply the right thing to do. It saddens me that this is such a political hot point and opposed by so many... I am proud of my country and the lead it has taken regarding Syria. My daughter has a refugee in her Kindergarten class. I have jumped on the opportunity to use this to teach her about kindness and giving back when possible.
@Cierzo- the OP says Africa not America So he is speaking on a different migration.
& you are correct those that came to America were not refugees. we all seem to forget that many of those who came to America were criminals who were sent here as a punishment. Also those who came voluntarily didn't do so without the promise or ideal that they would be able to claim land for their own. Which was many years after this land was "discovered" - notice the quotation marks. The land here didn't have a stable economy to support these immigrants. they didn't embrace the culture that was here when they arrived. They oppressed the natives and took their land, raped their women, and slaughtered many many of their tribes. So they didn't "embrace the culture" more like they imposed theirs.
Since this time period we have evolved and become a more civilized world collectively. At the end of the day we are all people and we should all be looking out for each other.
I don't think it is accurate to call those Europeans who migrated to American refugees, since they were looking for better living conditions, not escaping war. When a country takes migrants, it should be a win/win situation. We must consider 1- Are economic circumstances on the hosting country good enough to take immigrants? 2- Are immigrants ready to work, not looking for living on welfare? 3- Are immigrants ready to integrate in the hosting country culture, or will they try to impose theirs? If the answer to the three questions is yes, they are welcome
