"You can learn the language and accept our beliefs or get out." At least that's the summary of an email sent to my mom while we were on vacation in Texas, in regard to the Australian Prime Minister. Not sure how to interpret the email, whether it was serious or a hoax, meant to be accepted by my family or appalled. (I have recently read a few articles online that say it is a hoax.) I decided to express my disgust at what was said in this email. My family was taken aback and actually agreed with what she said. I was immediately shot down and didn't feel like I could argue with my elders, especially my grandpa. I now want to voice why this shocks me:
1) In this email, they describe Australia as a Christian nation. They say that it was founded by Christians. That may be so, but it started out as a prison colony for the British.
2) If Australia is a Christian nation, they would not target hate toward a single people group, that is, the Muslims. Please don't interpret this the wrong way. I do not think that Islam is the path to God. However, I do know that as Christians, we are to love the Muslims and accept who they are as people. We should not tell them to leave, just because they don't accept our beliefs. It will only turn them away from Christianity, not bring them to it.
3) As people in the United States, in general, we expect the people around the world to know English. Even when we go to other countries, we expect the people to speak English and understand us. We do not want to learn the language of other people when we go abroad. Is it not hypocritical, then to expect other people to know our language when they come here?
My difference in my opinions from my family may come from my educational background and my exposure to many cultures throughout high school, college, and student teaching. I know that I was not raised to hate other people and tell them to leave because they don't speak my language or believe exactly the same things I do. I was honestly shocked that my family agreed to what the email said. I increasingly become frustrated with many Americans' views toward immigrants, simply because they do not know the language or have the same culture. People are people, no matter what language they speak or which culture they came from.
1 comment:
I have always thought the "if you don't like it, then leave" and comments of that ilk were unintelligent last efforts from people who have no concept of anywhere than their own backyard. Backyards are great, but the mind and spirit need to develop beyond the familiar.
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