Clash of Cultures
Hi once more, all you wannabe benevolent dictators of your imaginary utopian countries! It's been a while since the last time that we had one of our regular hypothetical situations which you, being the awesome ruler of your great fictional nation that you are, as inspired by the NationStates game, will have to be dealing with. Last time Ms Parke, the overworked bureaucrat won by a landslide, arguing that each bill in legislature should have just one topic and purpose. But now the problem is a bit different - and quite timely, might I point out.
The Issue
Conservative commentators have remarked that many foreign immigrants in Insert Country Name are failing to take part in, or even acknowledge, the country's rich and varied culture, traditions, and social mores. This has caused some interethnic strife, and reports of violence in minority-dominated neighbourhoods have been increasing every day.
The Debate
1. "It's disrespectful," says Stacey McSmith, serving traditional eagle-shaped cookies on a tray. "These people talk funny, dress funny, pray to bizarre gods, and cook their smelly food. Food I've never seen on any LOCAL menu. Some of them don't even speak our language very well! If at all! If immigrants want the privilege of living in this country then they should be made to adopt our own traditions! Otherwise our culture will slowly but surely disappear! If they refuse... well, then they can go back to their own country since they love it so much."
2. "I have a right to lead my life the way I want," says Hubbob Habibi, an immigrant, with the help of a translator. "I will not forsake my heritage for your people and I will not dirty my tongue with your heathen language. And if you have a problem with that then tell me this: what have I done wrong? I pay my taxes, I break no laws - and yet you think I should change? Those who don't wish to 'integrate' shouldn't have to."
3. "Oh, there's no need to be like that!" says Miss Ethel Eliot, president of the Multiculturalism Society in a cheery tone. "Insert Country Name should be a more accepting country, open to new experiences! Embrace difference, people, don't reject it! These folk aren't hurting us or our traditions, they are showing us different ways of life and making us wiser and richer beings in the process! It's our responsibility to take the first step towards reparations and remove any ethnic bias from the names of our public holidays - how does Winter Day sound to you? I like it."
4. "We need to stop thinking of 'them' as a problem that needs to be fixed," insists Jennifer Park, an undergraduate in anthropology. "Integration in society is a two-way street, Your Majesty. We can't shun people for not following a major religion or drinking their tea with the wrong hand. That's just silly! No, if we want immigrants to pick up our ways then we should be more willing to learn about theirs! Mandatory education courses should encourage citizens to learn more about other cultures in Insert Country Name."
5. "That's stupid," says Rick Richardson, flatly. "I'm not going to 'bond' with immigrants by learning about their beliefs! For multiculturalism to actually function, everyone needs to actually meet these people and deal with them on a day-to-day basis. Then maybe they'll realise that yeah, they're people too. The only way to do this is to put an end to segregated neighbourhoods - even if it means forcing families to move elsewhere."
6. "Everyone shut up, I have the perfect solution," says Elaine Trax, shouting into a megaphone from a giant soapbox. "How about we kick these ungrateful foreigners out of the nation and never let them come back?! We've all heard what those ethnics are like, I wouldn't be surprised if they ate their own young! Immigration shouldn't be allowed! I won't abide it!"
The legislature of Insert Country Name is preparing to adopt a decision.
Poll Clash of Cultures
You've already realized that there's no perfect pick here, and neither can you cop-out through the "none of the above" or "other" option. Cuz I'm evil like that. Mwahhahaha!
The Issue
Conservative commentators have remarked that many foreign immigrants in Insert Country Name are failing to take part in, or even acknowledge, the country's rich and varied culture, traditions, and social mores. This has caused some interethnic strife, and reports of violence in minority-dominated neighbourhoods have been increasing every day.
The Debate
1. "It's disrespectful," says Stacey McSmith, serving traditional eagle-shaped cookies on a tray. "These people talk funny, dress funny, pray to bizarre gods, and cook their smelly food. Food I've never seen on any LOCAL menu. Some of them don't even speak our language very well! If at all! If immigrants want the privilege of living in this country then they should be made to adopt our own traditions! Otherwise our culture will slowly but surely disappear! If they refuse... well, then they can go back to their own country since they love it so much."
2. "I have a right to lead my life the way I want," says Hubbob Habibi, an immigrant, with the help of a translator. "I will not forsake my heritage for your people and I will not dirty my tongue with your heathen language. And if you have a problem with that then tell me this: what have I done wrong? I pay my taxes, I break no laws - and yet you think I should change? Those who don't wish to 'integrate' shouldn't have to."
3. "Oh, there's no need to be like that!" says Miss Ethel Eliot, president of the Multiculturalism Society in a cheery tone. "Insert Country Name should be a more accepting country, open to new experiences! Embrace difference, people, don't reject it! These folk aren't hurting us or our traditions, they are showing us different ways of life and making us wiser and richer beings in the process! It's our responsibility to take the first step towards reparations and remove any ethnic bias from the names of our public holidays - how does Winter Day sound to you? I like it."
4. "We need to stop thinking of 'them' as a problem that needs to be fixed," insists Jennifer Park, an undergraduate in anthropology. "Integration in society is a two-way street, Your Majesty. We can't shun people for not following a major religion or drinking their tea with the wrong hand. That's just silly! No, if we want immigrants to pick up our ways then we should be more willing to learn about theirs! Mandatory education courses should encourage citizens to learn more about other cultures in Insert Country Name."
5. "That's stupid," says Rick Richardson, flatly. "I'm not going to 'bond' with immigrants by learning about their beliefs! For multiculturalism to actually function, everyone needs to actually meet these people and deal with them on a day-to-day basis. Then maybe they'll realise that yeah, they're people too. The only way to do this is to put an end to segregated neighbourhoods - even if it means forcing families to move elsewhere."
6. "Everyone shut up, I have the perfect solution," says Elaine Trax, shouting into a megaphone from a giant soapbox. "How about we kick these ungrateful foreigners out of the nation and never let them come back?! We've all heard what those ethnics are like, I wouldn't be surprised if they ate their own young! Immigration shouldn't be allowed! I won't abide it!"
The legislature of Insert Country Name is preparing to adopt a decision.
Poll Clash of Cultures
You've already realized that there's no perfect pick here, and neither can you cop-out through the "none of the above" or "other" option. Cuz I'm evil like that. Mwahhahaha!