Thursday, August 18, 2005
Back from Oz
As an extension of my immigration post, the questions arose as to whether it is sometimes better for people to stay in countries with emerging economies, especially if they are educated. If they can wait out the current situation, they stand to make a decent amount of money when it's over and have the honor of helping to build their country's economy. My husband's family is from Colombia. Every Colombian I know who is in the U.S. is only waiting for the war to end and the government to stabilize so that they can go home and help rebuild their country. Even my husband and I plan on having a hand in rebuilding, and my husband was born (legally) in the United States. I wonder what makes people from some countries come here and never want to leave while those from others are only trying to take advantage of the economic opportunities America provides for a short period of time. Why do people who flee their country for safety reasons or economic reasons not go back home when the problems have been resolved? I know America is a wonderful place, but what happened to, "There's no place like home? ©
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13 comments:
My husband is from Cuba, and he longs to return some day, but to what?
Columbia is a great place.
Well, there is no place like America. That's why everyone wants to be here.
I like to be in America
Ok by me in America
Everything free in America
For a small fee in America
Ha ha. Wonder if anyone here knows what that's from? Crap, now I got that stupid song going through my head. :p
Westside story!
And I think it has to do with
a) identity
b) family
c) opportunities
For some, we love to long for our birthplace more than we actually want to miss it. But of course, there's a huge difference between growing up in Columbia, Missouri and growing up in Colombia.
my father was born in thailand but came to kansas city when he was 19. (he had gotten kicked out of three schools and my grandfather bought him a ticket to america, hoping that would set him straight.) anyway, it was tough cause he didn't have money and the vietnam war was going on. (at that time, every asian was a "gook.") he made it through, married my mom, and then returned to thailand after an eight-year absence. he hated it. no one lined up for anything you're supposed to line up for. it was hot and dirty. people were lazy. the problem?--he was used to american ways.
anyway, my family finally decided to come back a year and a half after i was born. they moved to seattle, which was a lot less racist.
just thought i'd share a real-life experience.
Hey PC, off topic. Here are your questions!
1. If you were suddenly appointed Secretary of Education in the US and given carte blanche and unlimited funds what three problems in our public education system would you address first?
2. What is the funniest scene you remember seeing in a movie?
3. Is the human species meant to be monogamous?
4. Is there any one person dead or alive that you would like to befriend?
5. What is your favorite time of year and why?
Barbara - When Castro dies, I really belive Cuba will be a much better place. PS, and please don't take offense, my husband's pet peeve is people spelling the name of his native country wrong. It's spelled with an "O" - Colombia. We've had to correct several museums in the states, and two history books.
Zombie, it's from West Side Story.
TS - I can understand that with countries with such different cultures, so I guess taht pretty much answers my question as to why people would stay away. I wonder if his experience would have been differentt if he hadn't been forced to leave.
There are some comforts we would miss if we moved to Colombia, but I think the trade-off might be worth it to raise my kids in the culture they are from. Visiting Ireland when we can is something we'd like to do as well, but we're pretty broke and will be for a while. One side of my family migrated from Norway to Ireland sometime during the time of Eric the Red and then from Ireland to America during the Famine. The other side came over on the Mayflower and is directly related to President Zachary Taylor. I don't know I will incorporate these different heritages into my children's lives, but I think it's worth doing the best I can so that they don't feel the intense separation from their roots that my husband and I experience.
NSC - I am thrilled to see you again. I was really afraid that I had offended you beyond repair. Again, I want to apologize for not being clear. Also, I really want you to know that I am sincere and not apologizing because I think you can get me a job. People are ALWAYS more important to me, the job will take care of itself when the time is right. Like I said before, I'm not always polite and I'm NEVER perfect. I rely on the grace of others to accept and forgive my faults.
As to why my family didn't return, I don't know. Part of me wishes they had. I think Ireland is only just recovering from the famine and we've been talking about what we could do personally if we lived there to further Ireland's economic and educational development. We really want to run a school for orphans - that's the school I talk about opening. I guess we'll have to have one in Colombia, one in the US, and one in Ireland.
I've seen some news reports and documentaries about how well Ireland is doing now, but it's hasn't always been that way. I think I am the first generation of my family who could go back and do well. I am proud of the Irish!
For me the US is a nation of immigrants and refugees and people looking for a new life and that is what makes it what it is, a great nation.
But I get the feeling that like all nations the US is starting to blame more and more stuff of immigrants; like all other nations end up doing.
Its so predictable and unsightly.
I don't think we're balming things on all immigrants, just the ILLEGAL ones.
polanco: i think you misunderstood me. i meant that my father hated it back in thailand cause he had gotten used to american ways, such as standing in line. after eight years here, he was already americanized! america is a great place. i've driven pretty much the length of thailand and malaysia, and have driven across the u.s. a couple times ... in my opinion, america is the most beautiful and majestic country by far.
also, i totally agree with what the daniel brit guy said about immigration issues in the u.s.
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