PATCHWORK HERITAGE
Millions of people in the world watched the inauguration of Barrack Obama on Tuesday, 20Th January. He has given a wonderful speech and every statement was delicately evaluated by God knows how many critics, but for me this statement was the most interesting :
"For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness."
I don't have to explain more, it is simple and clear. But probably I could tell why it attracted my attention.
First of all because I am attracted to the word 'heritage' itself, everywhere and anytime. I know it sounds crazy but nothing to be ashamed I guess.
Second, being in the Netherlands, I was encountered with a lot and a lot of discussions about multicultural society. The Dutch people is known of being open minded and friendly to newcomers but then in 2002 the politician Pim Fortuyn and in 2004 the film director Theo van Gogh were assassinated due to their concern about Islam in the Netherlands. Since then multiculturalism is in question until now. I personally didn't feel any discrimination so far but looking at the intensity of the discussions in the media, other group of newcomers must have different experiences. But on the other hand, I could imagine also why the Dutch acted defensively to the immigrants after those assassinations. They are threaten to the freedom of speech and thinking which are highly valued by the Dutch society.
Take this illustration, if you are a guest in someone's house, you are expected to behave and to follow the rules of your host. If you want to apply your own rules then you can do it at your own house. Forcing the host to accept your rules in his/her house is not natural and nobody is willing to accept it. The Dutch values the freedom of speech and everyone is free to express their thoughts; someone may not agree about it but that is the fact. As an immigrant, you adjust into it, no choice. As blunt as this : take it or leave it. What happens now is the tension that every group would like to force and prioritize their own values, customs and cultures. Everyone thinks they deserves to be the first and foremost in the society. Multiculturalism is a threat instead of a strength. (source : www.patchworkpassion.co.nz)
"For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness."
I don't have to explain more, it is simple and clear. But probably I could tell why it attracted my attention.
First of all because I am attracted to the word 'heritage' itself, everywhere and anytime. I know it sounds crazy but nothing to be ashamed I guess.
Second, being in the Netherlands, I was encountered with a lot and a lot of discussions about multicultural society. The Dutch people is known of being open minded and friendly to newcomers but then in 2002 the politician Pim Fortuyn and in 2004 the film director Theo van Gogh were assassinated due to their concern about Islam in the Netherlands. Since then multiculturalism is in question until now. I personally didn't feel any discrimination so far but looking at the intensity of the discussions in the media, other group of newcomers must have different experiences. But on the other hand, I could imagine also why the Dutch acted defensively to the immigrants after those assassinations. They are threaten to the freedom of speech and thinking which are highly valued by the Dutch society.
Take this illustration, if you are a guest in someone's house, you are expected to behave and to follow the rules of your host. If you want to apply your own rules then you can do it at your own house. Forcing the host to accept your rules in his/her house is not natural and nobody is willing to accept it. The Dutch values the freedom of speech and everyone is free to express their thoughts; someone may not agree about it but that is the fact. As an immigrant, you adjust into it, no choice. As blunt as this : take it or leave it. What happens now is the tension that every group would like to force and prioritize their own values, customs and cultures. Everyone thinks they deserves to be the first and foremost in the society. Multiculturalism is a threat instead of a strength. (source : www.patchworkpassion.co.nz)
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