Bye-Bye 2024

In keeping with my tradition of acknowledging the countries (or cultures) in the headlines at the end of each year, I would like to discuss the tensions in Europe with the deportation initiatives, the horrors in the Middle East, and the resurgence of what looks like the initial labor pains associated with the attempt to rebirth the Ottomon Empire.

I met my first Moslem in my high school days, an exchange student from Indonesia with whom I became close friends. At that time, I visited a mosque for the first time and was deeply impressed by the piety of people who were praying. In college, I met more Indonesians, and as time went on, I traveled through Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. I was always impressed by the friendliness of the people, their hospitality towards strangers, and their craftsmanship in everything from cookware to places of worship. Later, I worked in Hyderabad while with the State Department. Many people of Islamic faith chose to stay in India, and some of them became treasured friends.

This video may help some people to understand the richness of the cultures spanning North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and the lands between Istanbul to the numerous stans further to the east.

As someone with a great interest in various cultures, I am acutely aware of differences as well as the underlying unifying factors such as desire to preserve traditions and identity, the hope of acceptance and appreciation, and the motivations to provide safety and opportunity for oneself and one’s family. This said, melting pots often take generations to stabilize and 100% merger is extremely rare. The United States offered residence and opportunities to millions of immigrants from all continents. People have, in general, accepted the most of the rules and rights while retaining some ties to their origins. This was obviously achieved at the expense of the indigenous populations who suffered unjustly and egregiously. I would hate to see something similar happen in Europe or the Middle East so I think it is time to rely on common sense and diplomacy and to put away the weapons and threats that escalate tensions without resolving the underlying challenges.

So, at this time, my inclination is to support deportation as a preventative measure. What Sweden is doing is unusual. As of the latest news to hit my desk, the borders are now closed to immigration and significant compensation is being offered to those who opt to leave, $34,000 more or less, enough for many to rebuild their lives in their home countries. This initiative is more nuanced than what we are hearing from the incoming U.S. administration. In Sweden, the ability to adapt to Swedish culture is factored into the process. This is evaluated based on the immigrant’s attempt to learn a new language, hold a job, and live without committing crimes against the host country and its people. In short, some immigrants will be invited to stay and to become Swedish citizens. In a well-organized country, a process like this is probably manageable, but I do not see it happening in the U.S.

There are other ways to handle immigration issues. For instance, indirect as it is, supporting opportunities in developing countries, desisting from interference in the governance of those countries, and providing start up loans for small enterprises makes the grasses closer to home greener and the distant pastures more questionable. Coveting oil and other natural resources is not the solution. It often comes with threats, inequities, and environmental havoc. A level playing field has to be accepted along with fair compensation offered both for imports and labor. The idea that exploitation will work out in the long-term is flawed. We have seen the plummeting of the standard of living and rise of tensions due to this avarice.

In short, let the world regroup along religious or linguistic or other lines, but cultivate fair and friendly relationships with everyone. Personally, I don’t care if my computer mouse was made in Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Mexico, Brazil, or South Africa. I do care that no one suffered as a consequence of my need for a mouse. As we move into an increasingly complex web of possibilities and relationships, let’s put the emphasis on fellowship with all.

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Copyright by Dr. Ingrid Naiman 2024 || All Rights Reserved

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