Posted on 03/09/2011 5:31:30 PM PST by Graybeard58
How many times have you heard someone — typically, an educator whose brain has been switched off for the moment — say, "Diversity is our strength!" It's not. Belatedly, perhaps too late, Europeans are starting to figure this out. It's not to late for America, however.
Leaders of Europe's Big Three powers, the United Kingdom, Germany and France, all have risen up against the multicultural claptrap that is teaming up with a native birth dearth to destroy their culture.
Most recently, British Prime Minister David Cameron said: "Under the doctrine of state multiculturalism, we have encouraged different cultures to live separate lives, apart from each other and apart form the mainstream. We've failed to provide a vision of society to which they feel they want to belong. We've even tolerated these segregated communities behaving in ways that run completely counter to our values."
Thus have we seen British doctors engage in an Islamist plot to bring down airliners. Thus have we seen unemployed, dissatisfied Muslim immigrants living in French ghettos set fire to hundreds of cars from time to time, only to be referred to in the U.S. news media as "youths" — as if mere youth were sufficient to explain such destructive hooliganism, and as if these youths were legitimately French. Even the United States has bred its share of violently disaffected citizens, such as Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, the Fort Hood mass murderer, and the would-be terrorists known as "Jihad Jane" and "Jihad Johnny."
The diversity-is-our-strength crowd should take a cue from the world of genetics. Incrementally diverse genes result in stronger, smarter, healthier offspring. But diversity, like everything else, requires moderation. Genetic couplings that are too diverse produce nothing.
The same is true in matters of national makeup. The United States, a "melting pot" of many nationalities, races and religions, was viewed as a "mongrel" nation by the likes of Adolf Hitler. But it repeatedly proved itself stronger and more vital than more insular societies such as Japan and Germany during the 20th century.
But there is no strength, no vitality, in a culture that deliberately shunts minorities into ghettos and denies them full membership, as has happened in Europe. Nor is there strength in a culture that is so unsure of itself, it declines to insist newcomers learn the language and adopt the ways of their new home, as has happened in the United States.
Today, many view as quaint the words former President Theodore Roosevelt wrote in 1919, shortly before his death:
"In the first place we should insist that the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equity with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace or origin. But this is predicated upon the man's becoming an American and nothing but an American. There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag. ... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language ... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."
That's quite a contrast to the "apology tour" of the world America's current president took after winning the 2008 election, the "sanctuary" designations in New Haven, San Francisco and a number of other cities, and federal policy that actually seeks to thwart efforts by states such as Arizona to block illegal immigration.
The Germans, the French and now the British have figured out their assimilation (or, more accurately, non-assimilation) policies aren't working.
They want to restore pride in their respective national heritages; to make citizenship a point of honor for native and immigrant alike. As Mr. Cameron put it in a recent speech: "I believe a genuinely liberal country ... believes in certain values and actively promotes them. ... It says to its citizens, 'This is what defines us as a society: To belong here is to believe in these things.'"
It's the least Americans can ask of the millions who still view the United States as the land of opportunity, as did those who flooded Ellis Island and other ports of entry in previous centuries.
And it is sheer madness, bordering on delusion, for Americans to imagine their ways and their laws are somehow inferior to those of the countries those millions are so anxious to leave.
Ping to a Republican-American Editorial.
If you want on or off this ping list, let me know.
Drive the Libs nutz!
Big 'ol BUMP on this article.
A BTT. This particularly silly slogan would have been as passe as “23 skidoo” long ago were it not so central to liberal sanctimony. The equally trite usage “sustainable” appears to have displaced it in that role.
We used to call these ghettoes, didn't we? And didn't we consider this bad?
But... we must “respect” cultures that consider raping a 12 year old as a “mating ritual” and guys that cut their wives heads off because she DARED threaten divorce. And stoning to death a woman who bared her ankle. All cultures are equal, right?
Immigrants these days treat the US as one large, rich, refugee camp.
Good one. Thanks for the ping Graybeard.
These European nations aren’t condemning multi-culturalism. No, quite the opposite. They’re concerned the average Joe in Europe isn’t swallowing the diversity pill in lethal doses. So they’re re-calibrating their multi-culti propaganda tactics.
It’s not too late for America, however.
Yes it is.
Anybody who thinks diversity adds strength or is an asset never owned a British sports car with three different sizes of fasteners. Or saw a part made of aluminum and steel components exposed to salt.
Why can’t the Brits make a decent car? My Land Rover cost 22K used, but I’ve put 13K into it in repairs. I keep telling myself it’s cheaper to keep it and pay for the stupid things that break, but I’m at my wit’s end. Just picked my car up at the repair shop. Another $600 repair.
These European nations aren’t condemning multi-culturalism. No, quite the opposite. They’re concerned the average Joe in Europe isn’t swallowing the diversity pill in lethal doses. So they’re re-calibrating their multi-culti propaganda tactics.I'm afraid you're right. I can't help thinking, when reading about how the British PM is "standing up to multi-culturalism" that the British themselves are the same sheep who allow the government to tell them that it's illegal to defend themselves in their own homes. And I'm not even talking about guns (though the lack of gun rights certainly does make them sheep) but any kind of defense. If you injure a home-invader you can be arrested.
So spare me the optimism on Britain. I'll believe it when I see the British standing up and acting like free human beings.
I believe the Germans and the French are realizing their mistake in pushing multiculturalism, but the British are a different story. The island is infected with it. A few places in the Cotswolds and around the western shores seem less affected, but that won’t last. It’s too late for Britain. And if we don’t do something soon to turn this around it will be too late for us.
How many of you caught the recent riff from the new Danish immigrration minister? It was like the guy is a Danish Minuteman.
“These European nations aren’t condemning multi-culturalism. No, quite the opposite. They’re concerned the average Joe in Europe isn’t swallowing the diversity pill in lethal doses. So they’re re-calibrating their multi-culti propaganda tactics.”
What you said. Plus Bozo and Holder continue to worship it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.