Multiculturalism and Foreigners in the West
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Multiculturalism was becoming more important in Canada in the 1970s (Muhammedi, 81). Trudeau wanted to reduce prejudice by excepting multiculturalism as a part of Canadian culture (Muhammedi, 82). The country was welcoming people from the whole world. The main sources of immigrants were Hong Kong, the Philippines, Jamaica, Trinidad, and India (Muhammedi, 79). Most of them spoke English since they had been colonized by either the British or the Americans. This shows that Canada wanted to welcome people who spoke English and who had already had some sort of contact with western culture. Initially, some Canadian people were against the arrival of Ugandan Asians due to rising unemployment and federal politics (Muhammedi, 83). They were scared that Ugandan Asians would take their jobs. However, other people highlighted the fact that it would be very hard for Ugandan Asians to find work because of the lack of recognition of foreign credentials or work experience (Muhammedi, 84). Eventually, opinions changed, as Canadians wanted to demonstrate compassion for the victims of the situation in Uganda (Muhammedi, 86). Officially, they were not considered as refugees, but rather as an oppressed minority. This was because they would be citizens of other countries and could legally go to India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, or Britain (Muhammedi, 92). The Aga Khan, who was a friend of Trudeau insisted that Canada provide a refuge for the Ugandan expellees (Muhammedi, 94). This influenced Trudeau’s acceptance of the Ugandan Asians.
Historically, American citizenship was based on whiteness (Maghbouleh, 17). Throughout American history, Iranians were considered as white, or non-white, depending on the period. Initially, they were perceived as white (Maghbouleh, 18). Eventually, they were no longer perceived as white because they were Muslim (Maghbouleh, 19). Due to the Iranian revolution and the hostage crisis, they came to be perceived as tyrannical and dangerous. Racist and prejudiced perceptions of Iranians were promoted, especially in Hollywood (Maghbouleh, 21). Many Americans protested as they wanted Iranians to be deported (Maghbouleh, 27). A couple of decades later, 9/11 enhanced this racism, although it was not the first time that Iranians dealt with discrimination (Maghbouleh, 30). Today, they are citizens and have legal whiteness. However, they have been transformed into “forever foreigners”, as they continue to be victims of discrimination, all while being portrayed as terrorist threats (Maghbouleh, 37).
In the song ‘‘Fortress Europe’’, the members of group Asian Dub Foundation promote active resistance, as they did in their song ‘‘TH9’’, which we talked about a couple of classes ago. They say: “Keep banging on the wall of Fortress Europe”. Essentially, they are encouraging people to fight European oppression. By comparing Europe to a fortress, they are illustrating the fact that Europeans do not want to welcome people who are seeking better living conditions. They also say that “safe European homes [were] built on wars’’. Then, they add: ‘‘You don’t like the effect, don’t produce the cause”. Ultimately, they are claiming that Europeans have caused the misery of other people, which they are now being affected by as these people are migrating to Europe. Furthermore, they are stating that European powers are only rich due to the poverty that they have brought to other nations.