Immigrants and those on benefits get blamed whenever there's an economic slump. They are an easy and 'visible' target to be derided. Yet the truth lies elsewhere.
Most economic slumps follow greed-based booms. This one is no exception. To put that right, you need to sort out tax-evasion and similar behaviour. It seems odd to me - though I'm no economist - that at a time when there are are more billion and millionaires, the country is apparently struggling. Clearly, most of these rich people must be 'stealing' from, rather than 'stimulating' the economy.
As an immigrant who has been here for more than 3 decades, I'm used to my demographic being blamed for most things. No worries though. In a few years, when I can get my pension, I may just go back to where I came from. I don't think I want to be the cause of economic distress, lack of jobs, extremism or rising crime. With unbelievable advances in technology, I can just as easily be a nuisance to family and friends via skype on a huge, web-ready tv.
It's puzzling why those who are highly educated - and work on projects in areas with a high immigrant population - would subscribe to such a view. Perplexing when attempts at discovering that are met with:"...... I am requesting that you never contact me again. If you do I will be forced to consider other options which I do not intend to spell out here."
More worrying was a comment from Thames Valley Police officer Adam Ellis - who calls himself 'David Smith' on Facebook - which suggested that "all immigrants and spongers should leave and shut the door behind them." I'm guessing the Thames valley area has immigrants, unemployed and people receiving benefits. Looks like they've just got themselves another challenge.... but hopefully, not one like this...
Related:
Thames Valley Police: Policing to stereotype? metro.co.uk
What Kinds of Immigrants Come or Stay? Illegality and UK Tabloid Portrayal of Immigrants
Will Allen, Research Officer, Migration Observatory, University of Oxford
Immigration is a messy human story Kiri Kankhwende theguardian.com
Minister dismisses fears of new year tide of Romanians and Bulgarians migrants - independent.co.uk
We may not like Britain, but you will love Romania gandul.info campaign. huffingtonpost.co.uk
Iranian disabled immigrant, victim of British police deliberate failure IRIB World Sevice
Police Officers deny racially aggravated assault autistic Asian man BBC News
Police accused of ‘institutional racism’ towards Romanies independent.co.uk
Immigration: Could we – should we – stop migrants coming to Britain? theguardian.com
8 comments:
However, there is a lesson and an attitude to be learnt from the immigrants; WORK!
Most indigenous people are too lazy to go to work as was found by a recent survey, given that their earnings from working will be not much more than the 'cushy' benefits they get for doing no work. So why work, when you can have more or less the same income but with no responsibilities. The survey found that quite a number of people did not want to work because they could not be 'bothered' to get up in the morning!!!! So it is not surprising that employers would have to employ an immigrant.
Typical of a Police Officer to have this attitude, pretty much sums up the Police as a whole. You would have thought with all the recent negative publicity surrounding the Police e.g. Plebgate, Hillsborough etc they'd be more careful in what they say!
Thank you for comments. People have a right to express views - it's the price of democracy - and that should always be defended. But, when they blame immigrants for lack of decent pensions, then it seems prejudiced, specially as the truth is different.
Britain ranks amongst the world's 10 richest countries. If there is a shortfall in its welfare budget for pensions, the most likely cause is failure to collect taxes. Examples of that are many.
As for the Police, guess they reflect society they are in. I agree though that making comments like these hardly helps. It gives an impression - coupled with recent events and revelations - that the police consider themselves above any law. Sometime back, a Thames Valley Police traffic officer said to me that he thought "Pakistanis couldn't drive." These are only 2 comments, but may well be an indication of widespread views within Thames Valley Police.
what did you say to Dr Lorna Rixon and what was her response?
Hi, Thanks for your Comment. I asked Dr Rixon if she believed in the content of what she shared publicly via Facebook. She hasn't commented further.
Wow! So she actually believes that rubbish.
So she hasn't denied it..I thought she may have explained because I saw that your blog was promoting her run for charity?
Dr Rixon hasn't made further comments or given explanations on the subject.
I supported her charity run as I felt it was an inspiring and worthwhile thing she was doing. However, I can't support a view that blames immigrants for shortfalls in UK pension provision.
There is a wider issue of how these attitudes may affect health services research in diverse communities.
Of more concern to me were comments made by Thames Valley Police Officer Adam Ellis. Data supplied by Thames Valley Police show a high number of complaints regarding police racist behaviour. It also shows low numbers of minority ethnic officers in the force.
A high number of complaints doesn't necessarily mean that police are racist. Combining that with the low number of officers from minority communities, hints at a possibility of institutionalised racism.
I feel it's in the public interest to look further at these attitudes.
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