Immigrants....?

For the last 8 months or so, the Australian Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, has been celebrated as a courageous woman; stating her mind in plain words. The reason is how she addressed a limited group of people who reside in Australia.

Her speech is now embraced by many groups of people and individuals all over the world, who instantly take a liking to what was expressed. It is not put dead, as many speeches  and statements are, her words live and thrive by the help of social medias.

Only problem is: This is a statement which is awfully applicable for those who look for reasonable arguments to attack not only those she tried to address, but vulnerable groups which really need the protection a free democracy can provide. Groups which have left their network of family, friends, traditions, culture… everything known and part of their background, to be safe. And they use the words of a respected Prime Minister to do so; Adding credibility and affirmative effect to extreme views. On either side. On every side, in fact.

It is hard not to agree to what is stated, but I find it in many ways speculative. Paragraphs are taken out of context and published as the truth. And it fits their agenda perfectly, as they leave out the background to what was said. And the cause they justify by these extracts are far from friendly minded.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard - Australia
Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia, as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks.
Separately, Gillard angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying she supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques. Quote:

'IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT... Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali , we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians.'
'This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom.'
'We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society, learn the language!'
'Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.'
'We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.

''This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom, 'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'.'

'If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted.'

Australian Prime Minister says immigrants have duty to integrate
http://www.workpermit.com/news/2012-09-20/australian-prime-minister-says-immigrants-have-duty-to-integrate

These days I give lectures about Australia. The curriculum says I am to present social conditions in a selection of English speaking countries.

Knowing what has happened in Australia for two centuries (i.e. to those who had lived in the country for at least 40 000 years), I can’t help but thinking that the bravest thing about her speech was not to be as blunt as she was. The bravest thing was to state what she did, fully knowing Australia and Britain only 7 years ago apologized to the lost and the stolen generations. And they have not reached their goal yet, by far, if their goal is to set things right.

Looking at history, I don’t think any country, with a clear conscience, can talk about immigrants as “them”, because people have moved across borders, clearing way for themselves, bringing their own background with them, for… well, forever, I guess.

Makes me wonder: When do you stop being an immigrant and can fully claim freedom of speech, religion and political view? When the citizenship comes through? Two generations after? Ever?