Preface
Normally i don’t like to touch sensitive and political topics like these but i have decided to write one since this adversely affects my plans as a “Brown” Traveller.
I hate to make racist sounding statements. I really do.. but the fact that I mentioned myself as a “Brown” Traveller shouldn’t come as a surprise.
Why? Because I AM BROWN. When i travel into a white country, people identify me as a Brown man. If i commit a crime there, people will identify me to police as “tall, probably 220+ pounds, brown man”.. thats part of my identity and i am really not gonna be upset just because someone says or points out that i am brown.
My traveller backpack. I hope to add the flags of Slovakia and Czech Republic to it by this summer
But thats not what this post is about.. This is about few questions that i have been asking myself for sometime now because of the rising hate against immigrants in Western Countries :-
Will I be safe travelling through Europe being a brown man?
Will I be mistaken as an immigrant and be treated as one?
Will I catch a bullet that is intended for immigrants?
Will i come across a situation where i will have to fight my way through a bunch of skin heads?
Is it worth it to burn thousands of dollars to travel to a place where i am not sure i will be safe?”
Rising Hate Against Immigrants
Probably a week ago, an Italian dude shot and wounded 6 people who were all immigrants from African Countries. This horrible act was done few days after the incident whereby an immigrant from an African country brutally murdered and dismembered an Italian teen girl.
Italian Shooter, courtesy : Chicago Tribune This is one of the many many incidents that have been happening for the past few years and with each passing day, the severity and frequency of such incidents have been increasing.
Now, most people have made this thing political saying that the italian guy made a fascist salute and raised a slogan “italy for italians” before police cuffed him.
I am really not concerned about why he performed a fascist salute and why he raised a slogan of “italy for italians” before getting apprehended.. Sure dude, you are a grown ass man.. you can even do a monkey jump and mimick a gorilla voice in public all you want, you can do or say anything as long as you are not physically harming anyone..
What i am actually concerned about that “Why is it happening so frequently these days?"
While most people would answer this as “due to immigrants consuming jobs” or “due to white privilege” or “due to racism”, i tend to disagree with these opinions.
Personally i believe that this is happening due to miscommunication amongst cultures. Both the natives and the immigrants have done nothing to merge to form a peaceful society and mistakes have been made on both sides and now the consequences have blown out of proportion.
Lets talk about immigrants first:-
I will give more value to the mistakes made on part of immigrants because they have an ultimate responsibility to uphold their culture and they have an obligation to be positive and to be at the best of their behaviour at all times while in other country. If you just want to be mean, non-cooperating and want to have no basic manners, its better to stay in your own country.
Following are few points that highlight the mistakes on part of immigrants:-
Immigration of Unskilled / Untalented People
Immigration is not a new concept. Even before the dawn of civilization, many people travelled to and ultimately settled in other countries that suited their personalities the most.
But immigration these days is not about "moving to a place that suits one's personality" anymore..
It has become about easy money.
With the advent of modernization and economy boom in western countries, a lot of people now tend to leave their third world countries to find a comfortable living in first world countries..
My question here is why?
First of all, If God has given you the opportunity to live in a better environment of first world countries, then washing dishes and living on government expenses at all times is all that you can manage? If so, then why can’t you do it in your own country? And as an immigrant, what quality skills have you brought to the country that has given you the immigration?
Honestly speaking, if i were to move to a first world country, i would be aghast with myself if i have nothing to offer them...
I would like to clarify here that I am talking about immigrants and not refugees who are fleeing warzones because that is a seperate case and they do no fit the description
Huge Number of Immigrants
The number game here is another factor which is a big mistake on part of people applying for immigration. You have to accept that nowhere in the world, people will be ready to accommodate thousands of immigrants just for the fun of it.
First world countries are happier and cleaner because they have a limited population. But it doesn't give you a license that you should move to less populated areas in large numbers in a blink of an eye.
Bad Things / Criminal Trends Set by Immigrants
You have to understand that as an immigrant, you have to be more careful than the natives. If you so much so try to steal a matchstick, the burden will not only fall on you but on your community as well.
While you can argue that the natives are treated mildly on same charges as yours but you have been given a rather harsh treatment for the same crime (not matter how small it is), the truth is that you do not get to move to a new place and ask for equality. This is not even about equality.
Let me put it this way with my personal example:-
Have i done drugs in my country :- Yes
Will i ever do drugs in a foreign country :- Nope
A piece of paper / document authorizes you to live and work in another country but it surely doesnt authorize you to go full retard or go on a killing / crime spree. If your priorities are doing / selling drugs, stalking girls / guys, stealing and robbing and not to make an honest living then what the heck are you doing in a foreign land in the first place?
This way, you are creating problems for your other hardworking and good countrymen who are immigrants too and you are bringing a bad name to them as well..
I, sometimes, in a fit of laziness, litter on side of the road in my country (cmon.. who hasn’t), but when I am travelling to another country, I go to extreme lengths not to do even something like this, which will raise eyebrows and bring a bad name to my country..
Applying for Immigration with ill-intentions of Living On Government Expenses
I have known quite many cases where people knowingly move to other developed countries in hopes of getting citizenship and then declaring themselves as bankrupts so that the government will provide for them..
This is absolutely inexcusable. These financial support policies are designed for people who are out of job and have a family to support but somehow many immigrants have seen this as an opportunity to abuse the system to earn easy bucks without having to work.
If you are doing so, then do not be surprised when you are met with fury of natives.
Not Learning the Language / Culture of the Land
This is another big point where immigrants are excited about moving to a place but they don’t even know the language. How are natives supposed to take you in and accomodate you when you can’t even communicate with them? Alot of people want to move to France and Germany and they can’t even utter one word in either French or German languages.
Not just the language, immigrants put little to no effort in learning the culture of the country they are moving in let alone adopting it.
If you don’t know the language, you don’t know the culture, you don’t want to adopt their culture, you don’t want to work hard there, you want to abuse financial support system, you have no skills or talents, you have no manners then geez, i wonder why natives hate you so much..
I am not taking sides of natives here but i can guarantee you that they have a limit too, they are humans too, so if they encounter 80 immigrants out of 100 from one particular country who do either of those things that i have mentioned above, then sure as crap they are not gonna care for the other 20 “good” immigrants.
And the sad part is that most of the time, it is those 20 good immigrants who end up taking the heat.
Now lets talk about the natives...
Unwelcoming Behaviour
This is one of the major flaws i have seen amongst natives that they have sort of an unwelcoming behaviour towards immigrants.
As a traveller, i have seen and met alot of amazing people who were absolutely ecstatic to have me there in their country yet their behaviour towards immigrants is somewhat indifferent.. Unless you welcome them or sit with them or talk to them, they will always appear as a threat to you.
Blame Your Government, Not Immigrants
Seen this quite a lot.. immigration is authorized by the government. So why natives are always blaming immigrants.. Your government has allowed them to be there, please take your government to the task if you are unhappy with their decisions.
It is true that as native citizens you have the right to decide on who gets to come to your country and who doesn’t.
Do not take your anger out on immigrants. They will further distance themselves from the community that they are trying to be part of...
Add Some Politness In Your Stares
This is actually interesting. I know that Eastern European people are not used to having people of colour around them. So everytime they encounter one, they start staring at them in amazement.
But what you don’t realize that your stares are being taken as a rude gesture and it is often understood that you are being racist towards immigrants. So if you have to stare at them, do it with a polite smile so that your stares are not mistaken for something else..
Problems Faced By Travellers
It is easier to point out mistakes and flaws but the hardest part is to rectify those mistakes. I know that nothing will change even after everyone is done reading this post. Those who exploit immigration system will continue to do so and those who are innocent immigrants will continue to be treated badly.
But the real issue is yet to be address and that is the absolute pain that we, the travellers, are experiencing.. From having problems obtaining visit / tourist visas to being treated in a harsh manner while in a foreign country, it is getting messier..
that is still easy.. i can take harsh stares, i can take racist chants because my love for travelling is too much for me to care about small things such as these.
But the situation has dramatically changed from racist chants to shooting.. I dont know how this shooting thing works. I dont know if the shooters do some sort of home work to identify immigrants and keep the travellers out of it.. i dont know if they plan these things or just act on impulse.
The shooting i mentioned in the start of my post is more troubling for me because i plan to go to Greece and Italy next year. I could have easily been a bystander and could have taken a bullet in my head if i were there right now and no one would have cared...
Will i still go? Yup.. because i choose to put my faith in people. Travelling is my life goal.. i earn and save money for travelling... Thats it.. can’t just do my job to pay bills and die.. So lets see if i can safely return from my journeys.. only time will tell.
I know that 99% of the people are good and i have managed to make so many friends abroad, yet one can easily land in a wrong place at wrong time..
Some Excerpts from My Travels To Refresh Your Faith in People
Year 2006, London, England, i was going towards a nearby trash can to throw an empty can of coke when i spotted a brown paper just sitting outside of the trash can. I picked it up and threw it in trash too. An elderly british lady asked me where i was from, i said “Pakistan”. She goes, “I have never seen a Pakistani do that. Are you sure you are from there?”
Year 2015, Limassol, Cyprus, i was taking a walk on the side of the road to look at a beautiful scenic view. A woman passed by and kept staring at me. I ignored her. She then came to me and said, “why don’t you go back to your country?”. I said, “I will.. Once i finish my trip”. She said, “you are not here to sell coffee?” I said, “Not at all. I am here to see the amazing country”. She and I talked for another 10 minutes and when the conversation ended, she apologized for her earlier behaviour and asked me where i was staying. The irony is that we went out for a cup of coffee the next morning.. :D
Year 2016, Budapest, Hungary, I decided to take a trip inside St. Stephen’s Basilica. It was almost closing time and i had only 1 hour to explore the place. It is a custom to give 200 forint tip at the entrance. But i had a bill of 5000 forints. I gave the old keeper at the front gate 5000 bill.
He said, “no change?”
I said, “no change. Thats all i have.”
He goes, “okay go inside. No money for you”.
I was rather pleased with his gesture but it didnt feel right to do that. So the next day i came back to give the old keeper 200 forints.. i cant forget his smile that he had on his face. He said in broken english, “not see anyone come back like this. People cheat. They say no money and still i ask them to go inside. But you came back. What is your country?” I said “Pakistan”. He goes, “I never meet a Pakistani before.. if anyone from your country come here, i will give them free visits”.
This wasn't a rant of self praising. This was just to let everyone know that how to act when in a foriegn country. Your little acts can change the way others think about your countrymen and about you.
It is very easy to get offended on little things but it is actually hard to listen and understand each other..
Conclusion
With the aggravating situation between natives and immigrants, it is becoming harder and harder each day to be a free spirited traveller.
If the immigrants control themselves in a better way and natives show a little more flexibility, this mess can be avoided.
Please learn to understand each other.. and for the love of God, please do not make this earth hell for travellers..
Much blessings
JBN
Images taken from pixabay unless specified in post
By no means i have been paid by a government agency or a community group to write this article. If anyone has felt offended in some way, i truely apologize
Kindly consider to upvote, comment and resteem
Sharing my thoughts @jbn:
Don't worry about Greece or Italy, they are not the Scandinavians countries. Traveling south Italy the skin color becomes darker, which is typical of Mediterranean regions. Same applies to Greece, geographically relatively closer to Africa than the rest of Europe. This explains the flux of refugees to Greece and South of Italy (Sicily).
Eastern Europe was isolated from the rest of the world. The Soviet Block countries were heavily under the influence of Communism and Dictatorship. Uneducated about diversity, definately yes, generalizing them as racist it's a definitive no. I think it's important to distinguish west from east Europe. Who wants to immigrate East Europe? Am I not right about that?
We can go back to dark ages caused by impositian of Christianity (romans) and Islam (arabian) expensation. Whites: Northern Europe, Slavic, Celtic, Scandinavians, Germanic. For a broader white you can add the Mediterranean but these countries have mix of genetics influenced by Moors.
Anyway, there are millions of dark skin people around Europe. As you said, when people travel they must respect the visiting country, their culture and rules. Both countries are amazing... thousand years of history, the birth of democracy and the politics still in play today. (I have been to Italy, Greece, Turkey, Albania, Kosovo, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Croatia, Slovenia, so trust me, you will be fine). Enjoy travel!!!
Well first of all, thank you for a rather detailed analysis.. secondly, yes i understand that europe has a mixed culture and they pretty much bond with each other but you know what they say, do a thousand good deeds, and no one shall notice.. do one bad deed and you will become the focus of people.
You said who wants to migrate to eastern europe? Answer : alot of people who now know that western europe has now incorporated strict rules so the next stop of immigrants is eastern europe...
I was in hungary last year. Wonderful place, great ambience and i saw alot of non-hungarian people living there..
its just a matter of time before these places are occupied too.
I plan to visit hungary (again), czech republic and slovakia this summer. Next year would be italy and greece. Lets hope i can have a great time there..
much blessings to you..
It's debatable topic. Every person deserves respect. Respect comes with your behavior and ethics. you provided a better solution by immigrants control themselves in a better way and natives show a little more flexibility but in my 2 opinions is the problem b/w two entities has been increased. Native think in different way they think that immigrants use their resources which is actually their rights to use. immigrants also change the culture of native which native find it objectionable. Beside all these points, immigrants are also helping with the development of country by their skill but it is least acknowledged by native. Difference of opinion will remain b/w immigrants and native however it can be controlled by enforcing the law. Thanks for your worthy post. @jbn
Thank you for your detailed analysis.. but do you believe that enforcing stricter laws will help restore the respect element?
Since the beginning of human race, we have always been in disagreement with one another and that makes us human.. the problem begins when we stop talking and start shooting, thats where it gets wrong..
personally i believe that the people’s own governments should first conduct an interview with a person seeking immigration (to verify that they won’t bring a bad name and to also make sure that they have certain set of skills that they will be taking to the other country). This is the minimum possible solution right now.. rest, we can only hope..
Not at all. Difference of opinion may lie b/w two entities but it's important to respect other views. There is no need to get physical and shout out. Here law comes in to action. If you don't strictly enforce these laws you will be in trouble.
Absolutely right, but unfortunately the matter is worse than that. no one is interested to listen each other
unfortunately immigrants built a bad foot print by involving themselve in bad deeds ( I am not talking about all immigrants, majority are noble person who respect humanity, but my friend only one fish can contaminate the pond and unfortunately they are doing) so majority of native just hate them due to their involvement in bad deeds.
I agree wit you most of the time, but my friend to change the thinking style of people a lot of effort is required. In my honest opinion effort like sufi saints brought in sub-continent to spread "ISLAM"
All the best to your Europe Visit.
Stay Blessed
It was truly a great read! What a clear and unambiguous standpoint! I have been following some of the developments in Europe and North America lately concerning immigrants. The signs are not all positive. Your article must be read by all immigrants and all natives who are bothered by the presence of other nationalities on their soil. It is a great source of education on how to be an immigrant, how to treat immigrants and how not to disturb travelers.
Thank you very much for the compliments bro..
Yeah! it is damn right. Immigrants are thought invaders from the natives. This should not be a approach, everyone should welcome every needy person with open arms and kind heartedly...That's what Islam teaches- brotherhood..
Immigrants are not necessarily needy people.. but i can assure you that those who are not are usurping the rights of those who actually are by maligning the entire community..
I LOLed at that, you should come to America bro!
Actually i was selected to complete my bachelors degree in aeronautical engineering from USAF Acadamy Colarado Springs... but i declined..
For the reasons you already know.. may be i can spare 15 days to visit US, but 4 years is a little too much time to be in US for a Brown Muslim guy.. :D
P.S you are not the same fun bobby from Friends season. Are you? ;)
I'm not actually him but my name is a homage to him! Very few people pick up on my obscure reference to a bit character on that 90s sitcom. We love brown Muslim guys as long as they have your attitude, but I can see not wanting to have the campus photographer stalking you for all the brochure pictures of "diversity".
Well to be fair, we are rare species who have watched the 90s show and loved it to the core..
Diversification looks great on paper... real life is a bit different.. i know a ton of people who went to America and were warmly received by the locals and never had any problems with racism. i think thats what makes America great... but like i said, even in the presence of 99.9% good people, you can easily land in a wrong place at a wrong time..
and i surely would love to visit USA one day and will combine canada with it to cross off both countries in one visit.
I can also speak in southern accent in addition to standard american accent.. i hope my visit to Texas will be great :p
You really dealt with the issue. As a prospective immigrant with African origin, I can relate to the anomaly behaviour on the part of African immigrants.
These immigrants have really jeopardize others chances of seeking greener pastures. Those who even plan on living off government are even considerate what of those who venture fully into crimes. Nigerians have bad reputations of being most corrupt black country in the world due to activities of these unscrupulous elements which have soiled reputation of other hard working Nigerians. It is really a disheartening condition, I can only wish that immigrants generally will have a rethink.
You are absolutely right.. and again the worst part is that bad things never happen to these sort of people.. its always the innocent and hardworking immigrants who end up taking the heat..
The point is that no one from third world countries ever think about their country or countrymen and their image.. everyone acts like a selfish person with no regard to their own respect and the respect of their flag..
I can only hope that this rising hate trend diminishes...
Great post @jbn and the end it’s our ethics that identify us not our color ur doing nice keep this good heart and high ethics👍🏽
Exactly.. have some ethics and then first world countries will actually want you to come over there..
And unfortunately some people need to be learned some ethics and as i can see in ur post u did give a lesson
It is true that as native citizens you have the right to decide.
Yes and so you cannot blame them for everything...
Yah,
This is a current issue to be solved.
You are pointing the exact issue.
Think twice before moving to somewhere to serve them,
If people are not migrating then lot of first countries will be in problem to run their millions of eatablishments.
Then will come a solution. Nice Upvoted
I think they have all the people they need to run their establishments.. and now thousands of immigrants are marching in their countries without having to offer them any services.. and its us who degrade ourselves there with sloppy manners and crude behaviour.. i have personally seen this and it breaks my heart everytime i think about it..
Try to come to our country, Philippines, sir & I would love to see our country's flag on your traveller's backpack, too someday :-)
Po, Philippines is in my list .. i will come there eventually.. i am covering the eastern european part right now because some of my friends are studying there and it would be nice to catch up with them before they move away..
there is a whole lot of things i have planned for Philippines and Thailand. Probably we can meet as well when i am there .. right po??
wow, thank you for this wonderful news, sir. :-) Just let me know when, so that I can prepare, me and my friends, fellow steemians (your solid followers) would love to meet you :-) God bless, po :-)
👍🏼
where can I get one?
pleas like and comments my blog
Please give me a reason why should i? And please dont spam my blog with such comments. You must understand that there are certain ethics being a blogger. How hard it is to read the post and comment on it and then you can drop your own request and i would have definitely come and checked out your blog too..
Your post is very nice @jbn
I upvote your post 100%, keep working.
If the world is beautiful if we support each other, 1% upvote from you is very valuable to me:
https://steemit.com/travel/@mahyul/traveling-to-takengon-indonesia-cold-city-photography-a3427ff12e59c
Please learn how to post comments. If you have to drop the links of your post for curation, at least make a comment about my post first so that i know that you have read it. i see that you joined in september and your reputation should have been more than 50+ but it is 21. Can you tell me why is that?
Nice
Thank you :)
Wow!!! Truthfully u av said the ministry of Migrants... expecially blacks
M sorry but i couldn’t understand what you meant by that. Can you rephrase it?
👌
👍🏼
very nice unity .
go ahead boss