|
Refugees, Exiles and Immigrants
North Miami Beach, FL August 24, 2001 Aaron H.
Schectman
THINKING ALLOWED
Essays on issues, ideas and reflections on the times. Published now and
then, Opinions pro or con are welcome.
REFUGEES, EXILES AND IMMIGRANTS
It is true that the American democratic system allows for a wide range of
opinion and work to achieve ideological programs. It is also true that most
have opinions and work to achieve their ideological goals with respect for
the American democratic system. Three groups have taken advantage of our
system. These are refugees, exiles and immigrants.
It takes a great deal of courage and despair for people in a far country to
seek to become citizens of another. The United States has been the goal for
many who no longer identify themselves with their native countries and want
to become one of us. Differences of language, culture, beliefs and behavior
have to be overcome and while most immigrants choose to do this some do not
really become Americans. Some may become citizens but still remain rooted
in the language, customs and are clustered into "Little" Roumanias or
Senegals or Chinatowns and "Moscow on the Hudson." Most may hanker after a
visit to the "old" country, but are committed to becoming American and
contribute to what the majority has established over time.
There is another group who are refugees from persecution or from efforts of
ethnic cleansing with their liquidation as the impulse to leave their home
countries. America has a history of welcoming such people. In return many
have made America their homes and they remain, become citizens and
contribute to the "salad bowl" (not the "melting pot") that is the mingling
of differences from around the world. These vote and use their experiences
to try to change the bad things that happened in their original homes to
better their homes here in America.
And then, there are the EXILES. I first became aware that it was the
exiles who persuaded the operators of "Emmy" awards for "Latin" entertainers
to leave Miami and go elsewhere - perhaps Los Angeles. This decision did not
resonate with me. I am more concerned with the conflict in the Middle East
and the resurgence of HATE groups in our country. But the news about this
event caused me to think about EXILE.
Socrates was offered exile from Athens because he got the younger citizens
of that city-state to question authority. Instead of leaving his country he
chose to sip a cup of hemlock poison and die at home. I think that exiles
want to return home and do not identify with the place they came to for
refuge. It is interesting to note that everyone as well as the exiles
themselves label them as EXILES. They are not Americans. They do not wish to
be citizens (although they may have become citizens for selfish reasons) and
by their numbers and by their education and wealth try to enforce their will
on what takes place in this, not their native country.
An analogy can be made with the position of the "Palestinian" groups in
various refuges they went to when they fled their homes at the urging of
their Arab neighbors. Some went to camps where they licked their wounds and
prepared for war to return home. Others went to other countries and were
enlisted as disposable weapons against the State of Israel. Still others
went to other countries and became good and loyal citizens of those nations.
EXILES want to go home.
What do you think?
Carol's Evaluation: 10 out of 10.
|
 |
|