Culture and Immigrants

There have been many emails circulating regarding immigrants and acceptance of the home country's culture, efforts to support diversity, tolerance and other similar concepts. One of the recent emails I read attribute statements to Australia and the Prime Minister. Upon searching Snopes the email has mis-attributed the statement and associated quotes, thereby undermining the content.

We expect accuracy and the practice of sending the message with misleading attributions has overshadowed the message itself.

I have included the contents of the message…... 

.....Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out, as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks.

.... Quote: 'IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT... Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on  Bali, we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians.'

'This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom.'

'We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society, learn the language!'

'Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.'

'We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.'

'This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom, 'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'.'

'If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted.'........

We have seen similar positions and statements.  Many are threatened by change and on initial reading I readily accepted the message. Who invited them and how dare they force our culture to change?

We all want to welcome immigrants. The assumption is they want to benefit from our economy which is a direct beneficiary of our culture.  The problem comes not when they want to celebrate their home culture here; it is when they expect us to change our culture to accommodate theirs. 

We can accommodate other cultures however; it must be a reciprocal arrangement. We must be allowed keep our culture. 

This is the challenge all for us.