Someone had done their homework. One of the most generous welfare benefit areas happened to be Lewiston, Maine. It also happened to have one of the lowest number of recipients. When the number of newcomers got to 1,600 persons. the then mayor pleaded with the Somali community (so called) in Georgia, not to send anymore persons. He said their resources were strained to the limit. He was called a racist.
I noted at the time, that city had then employed a Canadian lady, who was a sort of multi-cultural assimilation expert in Canada. I knew what was coming. I have heard this type of person ad nauseum, in Canada. Look sideways and one is a racist. Now I learn that
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another aspect here is that the Refugee Resettlement Non profit was going out of business and needed more refugees to justify its existence.
another aspect here is that the Resettlement Non Profit was going out of business and needed more refugees to justify its existence. I was surprised at the revival of this two month old thread and appreciate my contribution being quoted.
All this lead me to do some research on the Somali presence in Canada. After all it would seem a little smug or insular to cast some judgmental eye on the United States. I learn that there are 80,000 Somalis in the City of Toronto. So far so good, for it is over 400 miles away from Great Lakes country at the Michigan border.
Now the call for employment in the booming economy of Alberta has brought a few thousand young Somali men to Edmonton. We learn that lack of employable skills and work ethics that differ, have doomed many to the streets. Gang murders have erupted. Dismay has been expressed.
Excuse the ramble but the affliction that pervades Canada, seems to afflict America too (for some). For when I came to Canada many years ago, I was told to forget what I figured was what. "You are in Canada now". I had to adapt or return to the United Kingdom. I searched until I found the right place and stayed.
Now the whole attitude seems to have changed, except for some brave souls. As in Edmonton, Alberta, monies are being poured in to agencies. Social workers and others exhort the Somalis to try to be nice. Few dare tell them to "shape up or ship out".
Sad it is.