First of all know this isn't an anti immigration thread or anything, don't let the title deceive you! More to the point it's a focus on something that I find really troubling and that is the myths that surround immigration. I'm going to use my country as an example, the UK but I'm sure your country can just as easily be applied to the debate.
Anyway onwards to my point. My point is why is there such significant number of people who believe that immigration is rampantly out of control? the whole fear factor also links into this. I will use an example of me and my friends to show you what I mean.
I read the paper every day without fail and from about the age of 15 took a keen interest in politics, I'm also well informed in the area. On the other hand a lot of people I hang around with rarely watch the news and their paper consists of tabloid trash like the sun. Anyway at the pub the other night, all though the scene can be replicated most weekends the topic some how went on to politics, or what I like to call politics, a very watered down drunk version of politics. As the debate moved on to immigration some of the things I was hearing were disgusting. Apart from that it was completely in factual. I then went on to ask my friends how many immigrants they thought there was in the country. The guesses raised from 5 million to as high as 10 million which I had to refrain myself from laughing at. The thing is though my friends aren't stupid, they're just not as clever in the area of politics but the frighting thing is they are probably just like every other person in this country. Well obviously not like everyone but at least a majority.
The point im trying to make is when did the fear and facts about immigration become twisted? I know that immigration has been a sensitive issue for centuries but surely in today's society's we should have the resources to dispel such myths. I personally find it mind boggling that people, and by people I mean a lot of people believe the age old myth that immigrants are here to steel "our jobs". The reality of course is that they're here to do the jobs that no one else wants to do as we consider ourselves to good for those jobs. The myths surrounding immigrant crime also makes me feel mind boggled. At the end of the day who deserves to enjoy the benefits of our country more, A hard working immigrant or a lazy sod who thinks he doesn't have to work leaching of state resources?
Anyway to finish what actions do you think can be taken to educate people on immigration? By educate I don't mean change peoples political ideology, I know some people have genuine concerns about immigration not based on myth but based on facts and concerns within their community.
Basically what can be done to get rid of the false idea in many peoples minds that immigration is some how a terrible thing and that it's all a conspiracy to bring our institutions down as well as bringing mass crime with them and religious brain washing.
By the way also note this is my personnel experience in the area I live. Some people may live in area where there is little tension between immigrant populations. My personnel expereince round here has always been that immigration is a big no no.
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