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BornAfrican
United Kingdom
119 Posts |
 Posted - 18 May 2006 : 02:22:44
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Sitting in the streets of a poverty stricken African village, a young man dreams about a wonder land where streets are paved with gold and streams of milk and honey flow through inhabitants’ backyards. He has been betrayed by his kinsmen, earning a dime to buy bread is his daily struggle. He keeps on dreaming because his hopes are only cocktailed in his dreams. He sold the only plot of land left for him by his dead father and heads towards this “magnificent” land he could only see in his dreams. For the next few months, he put his life on the line by crossing the man-eating sand dunes of the Sahara. Finally, he found himself in a concrete jungle but found no roads paved with gold and no streams of milk and honey. Reality begins to unfold and the story continues….
I believe if many African immigrants to Europe knew what was ahead of them, they would have thought twice before leaving home. Immigration has always been part of humanity’s culture. The human society is an open society whereby we all interact. Ancient empires from Manding to Rome had always established business relations with other empires whereby their business communities interchange ideas which they take to their various lands to benefit their folks. Unfortunately, politicians have distorted this rich history of immigration. It has been replaced by stories of terrorists entering Europe and Africans coming in with diseases, while others come in just to live on state benefits. The present generation is completly brainwashed with regards to the pros of immigration.
Immigration is a big problem for Europeans today. But who are these immigrants who are the main problem(s). Looking at the standards set to dictate immigration in various European countries, one can only see that there is a clear distinction between immigrants who are from Europe and those who are from else where. Black African immigrants for instance are more likely to be deported to their countries of origin for even petty crimes. For instance I once watched a program on TV where a White South African was caught with cannabis on the street by a police man. He was warned not to do it again and the cannabis was seized. If I as a black African was caught in the same situation, there is a high probability that I will be deported back to the Gambia.
This week, we have seen the immigration laws the American congress came up with. Here in England, there is a heated debate on immigration. In fact, foreign doctors who are not from Europe are not to be recruited by the NHS (National Health Service), even if they are educated here in England.
France came up with the most radical laws which are even seen xenophobic.
Amidst all this “immigration madness”, I wonder where our faith is as African immigrants.
The young man sold his only plot of land left for him by his dead father. That’s the only physical reality he can hold on to. He has sold it and came to Europe. He has reached the point of no return. This is the situation for many African immigrants. Failed by our leaders, the world economic playground architected in such a way that some people will remain poor until kingdom come, the poor African man has no choice, but do exactly what his ancestors did when conditions are not favorable, and that is to migrate.
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Edited by - BornAfrican on 18 May 2006 16:40:18 |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2006 : 09:49:53
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Very interesting, I also believe if some of the "gang leaders" were caught there would a few less people travelling. I am appalled when I watch television and here the refugees say how much money they have paid to a "leader" to travel.
If more was to help at home such as education proper training people would not travel. |
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bamba
Sweden
401 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2006 : 11:10:15
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Jambo, what do u mean by your statement in brackets? I dont seem to get u as usaual.
"If more was to help at home such as education proper training people would not travel"
Do u mean national help or the purported type of help u're offering to poor Gambian families? U have some explaining to do here.
I lost my temper two days ago and expressed myself very harshly. I do implore for oversight. Such should be expected. Even VIPs in the so called most civilized societies can loose tempers and and get involved in fisticuffs. No human is perfect.
Jambo, u have to stop falsely impressing upon us that u're helping our needy in Gambia. I will never believe u. Stop being a thorn in the flesh. |
Bamba |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2006 : 11:28:47
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Bamba, what I meant is this, if people had good schools at home or a different infra structure they would not be tempted to leave home. Once again I have typed something that was mis understood and will clarify my mistakes. I just think that unemployment drives people away. maybe that is my perception is this "the gangs prey of the poor, and uneducated". It might be wrong then fine I stand corrected.
Once again you have made it personal.
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serenata
Germany
1400 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2006 : 15:11:03
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BornAfrican, you are right, the situation seems to be hopeless. But do we know how Europe/USA etc. will look like in 50 years? Where is it written that Africa will never have a chance? I am not a prophet, but I think that 'globalization', initially meant as something like a relaunch of colonialism, will bring about changes the 'inventors' didn't dream of.
You are 100% right when you say that migration is as old as mankind. Without migration and intercultural exchange, we had no culture, no economics, no nothing. We Europeans (Asians, Americans, Australians, Oceanians) wouldn't even have ourselves without migration. Africa would be the only continent to be inhabited by homo sapiens if thousands and thousands of years ago people hadn't left Africa and moved to other parts of the world.
But what is also right is the human tendency to defend what they claim as their home. This is what our politicians and the ruling classes of the white society are playing with. Though, I am pretty sure that what we are witnessing now can and will not go on much longer. Europe needs the immigrants, but is not yet ready to admit this. On the other hand: I am confident that as 'globalization' (in a positive sense) proceeds and becomes more of a 'common wealth', more people will be able to make their living in their home countries. It is our task to work on this, isn't it? |
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njucks
Gambia
1131 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2006 : 17:20:07
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Serenata i agree with your first part on cultaural exchanges migration etc. infact 'globalisation'' is illegal in my opinion. it is not improving anything. its aim is to turn everything into a 'product' and standardise it for mass production. hence cultures converge into one, food varieties disappear as we all eat burgers,fries and milkshake and grow imposed GM. which we are told is better and will end hunger.
since it started more and more people are getting poorer precipitating huge population movements as they search for better life etc. globalisation improves 'profits' not necessarily living conditions. for it to work everything has to be produced at the cheapest source and sold at the highest paying market. Enter China
its ok for now, as China is the cheap factory floor of the world, but i'm sure as they get richer their military ambitions will grow. factories are closed in europe to be reopened in China.how do you create jobs for the migrants that you 'need'.
it is because of globalisation that farmers in poor countries can't compete and sink deeper into poverty.its unbelievable. a spoon from China will cost even cheaper than the weight of Steel that made it.
i remember meeting Jose Bove, the french farmer who dumped farm waste at a Mcdonalds when it opened in his hometown. you should talk to him.
globalisation cannot be a 'commonwealth'. the WTO should be dismantled.its trying to give itself powers it doesnt have.
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bamba
Sweden
401 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2006 : 17:29:58
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BornAfrica, your piece "Fortress Europe" is a masterpiece. Such a piece is to be printed out and kept as reference. I wrote a shorter piece on the same subject with the main theme "exodus" somewhere earlier.
The clause that strikes my heart is this one in brackets " the world economic playground architected in such a way that some will remain poor until kingdom come". The world economy is architected, by a minority, in such away that the majority is left to the mercy of all possible horrors. Some wickedness are just genetic, that's what I feel. |
Bamba |
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BornAfrican
United Kingdom
119 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2006 : 20:59:34
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Thanx for ur compliment Bamba.
Just as i said, the history of immigration is as old as humanity itself. the most unfortunate thing about immigration standards today is the double standards involved in it. In England for instance, the governmnt made it clear that you can only migrate to England if you are skilled. if you are not, you are not wanted in England, in otherway round, you have no right(s) to come to England if you are unskilled. What about the unskilled British citizens going round the globe buying properties in other countries? europeans have the rights to migrate to other parts of the world whether skilled or unskilled.
within the past few years, the issue of immigration has givin rise to Nazi parties through out Europe. currently the British government is saying that it does not know the number of illegal immigrants living in the UK, but the way the message is being given gives one the impression that the number of illegal immigrants in this country has equalised Englands population. this monstrous picture of "illegal" immigrants being portrayed by politicians will do all of us no good whether one is legal or illegal. it gives us a common characteristic and we are all hated based on that. |
me |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2006 : 21:37:52
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It is normal that if you want to migrate to a country for permanent settlement you have to have something to offer that that country needs. It is usually a skill, or it can be money.
If I wanted to go to Canada or USA or Australia there are very strict rules that are nothing to do with the colour of your skin.
If you are prepared to work hard, suport yourself and intergrate into society then you will be made very welcome in UK.
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LEMON TIME
Afghanistan
1295 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2006 : 21:59:12
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| NO British needs visa before travelling to The Gambia,why do Gambians have to get visa to come to England. |
There is no god but Allah |
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bamba
Sweden
401 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2006 : 22:06:56
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| Cant agree with u more BornAfrican. Any european trash can travel to Africa and does what he/she likes. France is following suit. |
Bamba |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2006 : 22:24:46
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Lemontime it is because we just go on holiday for one or two weeks........Gambians usually want to stay longer in uk. We can be trusted to return home. Sadly, many Gambians havent returned home on expiry of their visa and this is why it is made more difficult for future Gambians.
Also MOST people from uk are self supporting and arent going to be a burden on Gambian state. This is not true in reverse.
I am very sorry if it seems harsh....but it comes down to money again, as does most things in life sadly. |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2006 : 22:27:38
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European trash is a BIG generalisation Bamba and shows your prejudice. 
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2006 : 22:29:10
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| Can we stop this line of attcak. Mature up guys. I never thought my audience weere very childish. Oops did i say that |
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.” |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2006 : 22:38:28
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| Do you consider us your audience? I thought we were all equal and having a discussion? Not one person being above the rest and doing the teaching.'Audience' is an unfortunate term. |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2006 : 22:40:16
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| I quickly corrected my self. I meant the regggae party already going on. Did you not see my songs. Thats what i meant. |
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.” |
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