How much
individual and collective responsibility do we have towards immigrants (whose
legal status is likely still in question)?
Is providing rescue, food, shelter and clothing a moral imperative
or does this encourage more immigrants to come?
How do you think Slovak attitudes compare to British ones on this issue?
Thursday, January 6, 2022
Don't be so welcoming
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There are two opposing sides in the narrative which this article puts forward. On one hand, there is the government of the UK, which tries to make life for migrants “as hard as possible” by introducing harsh bills. On the other, there are people who accept their “moral and legal responsibility” to help migrants. The author mostly talks about the former side and suggests that the standpoint of the UK government is worrisome.
ReplyDeleteIn an attempt to convince the reader, Laurence tells a story about migrants, which to some extent is simply playing on the reader’s heartstrings. However, the story allows the author to discuss the possible impact of the problematic bill in a concrete way, which makes it easier to understand. Thus the story fulfils its purpose.
However, while convincing the reader, Laurence goes too far. There is a lack of balanced points in the article. The negative implications of the new bill are discussed in great detail but the positives are never mentioned. It makes the intentions of the UK government seem evil, which is a bit far-fetched.
The issue of immigration is a complex and intricate problem. On one side, we have the moral responsibility as fellow humans to help and welcome those who run from war, prosecution and even torture. On the other, the immigrants that come into the UK in illegal ways have to taken care of. It can prove to be of high cost to the country as they have to provide food, shelter and preferably other basic needs. Additionally, all the immigrants are to be integrated into the society and culture. This can often times prove to be difficult as they may have different believes about how things should be and even contrasting moral code to our own. These are just one of few reasons why it's not an easy task to welcome immigrants.
ReplyDeleteRachel Lowden is a supporter of aiding refugees. While it is not easy and its highly admirable to risk being sentenced and even spent time in jail for helping other’s who have no option but to illegally enter another state due to war, some may argue its not so admirable to break the law and maybe even instigate a next wave of immigrants to come to the UK. However, in most cases breaking the law for the well being of others is a noble and selfless act. Personally, I believe it is quite unreasonable to sentence someone for providing the cold, the hungry and the scared with appropriate food, clothing and with something to drink. In my opinion, it is a duty to help those in unimaginably horrible circumstances and exceptionally those who can’t fight against these circumstances such as children. All in all, we should all as one big group focus upon trying to be more open to help others and maybe then helping the immigrants won’t be such a difficult and complicated problem to deal with as it is now.