Are we as a society basically broken?

hethmar

mewbie, are you in Norfolk? Yes, that was another awful incident involving locals and Portugese immigrants - this demonstrates what I am trying to say for gawds sake. The tension is here now - saying it shouldnt be here doesnt make it go away.

Anyway, Ive got a living to make - see you later.

carolt

hethmar wrote: »

I feel you have taken a stand which has blinkered you and its that sort of blinkered thinking which will cause the problems to get worse.

I don't think we have a problem with immigration, I think we have a problem with PEOPLE'S ATTITUDES towards immigration.

It is THAT blinkered thinking which is causing problems, IMHO.

The immigrants are not to blame for being attacked - the attackers are, self-evidently, to blame.

Until you admit that, hethmar, I find your claims to not be racist, a little bit hard to swallow, sorry.

hethmar

You showed clearly that you chose to misinterpret my posting. Everything I said was clearly not a condemnation of immigrants per se but you chose to believe it was. Just read it through again and read your response. Where on earth have I ever said the immigrant was to blame for being attacked??

That shows blinkered thinking carolt.

If you want to change peoples attitudes, join a group to help do so - as my own inlaws were immigrants, I dont think I need to

Must earn some money now.

neverdespairgirl

SingleSue wrote: »

So I have no respite, no breaks and can't even get out to the pub or meet up with friends even once a month (just about manage once a year) without the children being present..

Does their father not have contact, do you not get a break then?

neverdespairgirl

carolt wrote: »

I don't think we have a problem with immigration, I think we have a problem with PEOPLE'S ATTITUDES towards immigration.

Immigration does cause problems, though, I think that is undeniable.

carolt

hethmar wrote: »

If you want to change peoples attitudes, join a group to help do so - as my own inlaws were immigrants, I dont think I need to

Q - How many psycho-analysts does it take to change a lightbulb?
A - it will only change if it WANTS to change.

Don't think my joining a 'group' - is there such a group? :rolleyes: - is going to do much, frankly.

Othersdeciding not to jump into the stereotypical position of blaming immigrants for everything, would do a lot though.

And yes, I'm sure some of your best friends are immigrants.

neverdespairgirl

carolt wrote: »

Othersdeciding not to jump into the stereotypical position of blaming immigrants for everything, would do a lot though.

While blaming immigratns for everything is clearly wrong and silly, I do think it's right to recognise the difficulties immigration can cause. There's nothing racist about that.

carolt

neverdespairgirl wrote: »

While blaming immigratns for everything is clearly wrong and silly, I do think it's right to recognise the difficulties immigration can cause. There's nothing racist about that.

Agreed. I think the two key words there are 'can' and immigration NOT immigrants.

Immigration, if well-handled, need not cause problems.

And the immigrants themselves are not to blame for the situation - they came because they were invited. Obviously, 'bad' groups of immigrants, like those who attacked hethmar's son, clearly are to blame - but it is just unfair to say that her experience means any kind of immigration is wrong.

I do agree it is important that adequate resources are given to areas where immigrants settle, and that immigration should be planned/monitored to prevent numbers building up in certain areas unsustainably. I certainly don't think the govt planned the current high levels of immigration from Eastern Europe well, and the numbers clearly took them by surprise.

But the solution, given it now can't be undone, is to look at how better to manage the situation, not just shrugging soldiers when locals beat up immigrants (or the reverse).

hethmar

Gawd, this is really getting me behind with my work. BUT

"Obviously, 'bad' groups of immigrants, like those who attacked hethmar's son, clearly are to blame - but it is just unfair to say that her experience means any kind of immigration is wrong."

NEVER have I blamed immigrants for being here - I have consistently blamed the government for not having sensible policies re immigration. As much as my sons probs, I again said that I did not blame immigrants. Of course Id want to go to a country to better myself. It is not their fault that the whole thing has been handled badly and is causing all these tensions and problems.

And yes, I do have a lot of friends from other countries and to be frank they say the same as me!! Do you have many foreign friends - have you spoken to them about the situation here? My own family members who were immigrants also feel the same way - that the current explosion of immigration has been badly handled and that there will be a backlash. They deplore the situation as much as I do.

PLEASE read my postings - you seem to ignore everything and then just go on about racism without taking onboard anything that has been said.

And yes there are groups to join. Ive belonged to a number over the years. Do a bit of googling and Im sure you will find some near you where you can perhaps learn and evolve.

MUST GO.

neverdespairgirl

carolt wrote: »

And the immigrants themselves are not to blame for the situation - they came because they were invited.

For quite a lot of immigratns, they invited themselves (-: