Quote:
Originally Posted by ken0042
I guess I wasn't being clear that I was being rhetorical. It is for many of those reasons; such as a lack of freedom, that many people come to Canada.
What I am trying to point out is that if immigrants don't make an attempt to embrace being Canadian, they are missing out on not only what it means to be Canadian, but also missing out on shaping what future generations define as being Canadian. What defines us as Canadian has changed in the last 100 years; and I'd even say within the last 50 years. It is that evolution as a society that makes us such a great company.
Case in point; 30 years ago my best friend was Chinese. (He probably still is, now that I think about it.  ) When his family invited my family over for dinner; there was some fumbling with chopsticks before they brought out forks for us. Then last weekend at my sister's house, her whole family started eating Chinese food with chopsticks. It wasn't until partway through that my sister thought to ask if I knew how to use chopsticks; because these days most people I know can use chopsticks. To me; using chopsticks is part of how a Canadian would eat Asian food. It's a tiny example, but it does show how we as a country evolve.
What I really don't understand is how people can say that it is entirely positive that people can maintain each and every part of their culture; including refusing to learn either of our official languages, then turn around and say they don't feel like they are being embraced into Canadian culture. It's like the old joke of the old man complaining to God, saying "Why do you forsake me? Why won't you let me win the lottery just once?" And God responding "Meet me half way- buy a ticket."
Years ago I looked at moving to Finland. The very first thing I did was looked into learning the language; even though I was assured by my Finnish friends that there was no need; as most people spoke English. To me, not learning the native language seemed to be the wrong thing to do. |
I totally agree with what you're saying..in a perfect world..but its not a perfect world, and the majority of humans don't want to leave their comfort zone. If its easier for an immigrant to move to an area where people look and sound like them, most people will do that. Same thing with the majority. If its easier to have a group of "different" people segregate themselves than to make an effort to learn about them and make them feel comfortable in your community, then you will let them stay at a distance.
The only thing I take issue with is that you seem to think its largely the immigrants fault for not wanting to integrate. Well, as a son of minority immigrants (first to Britain then to Canada), I can tell you that sometimes new places aren't the most welcoming and accomodating communities. There is strength in numbers, and if you feel excluded and threatened as a minority, you will automatically gravitate to those who accept and embrace you.