Message-ID: <MAPI.Id.0016.00776562202020203030303430303034@MAPI.to.RFC822> Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 09:43:56 PDT From: uwe <mailto:uweb@MEGALINK.NET.MX> Subject: Re: "citizenship" a circumstantial aspect.. To: mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU
Hi Vladimir (I suppose),the citizenship problem is real and nothing new for me, though I know it from the other side of the fence. I am a former German who naturalized Mexican. Now I am a third class citizen with all the consecuences. And that's not just theory. In practice I have serious problems here, due to my religion (christian, but not mainstream). In 1991 I had to run to Germa y, because some fanatics wanted to kill me. In 1995 I came back, because apparently everything was calm. But just recent y I found out that now they want to "kill me slowly", ruining my little business. They literally want to see me as a beg ar on the street! Now, do you think that the US (or any other rich country) would accept me as an asylant? Forget it; I' only third class!
At the same time, and also because of my religous believes, I'm trying to put together a housing project for homeless. G ess what's the obstacle to get funding...
Uwe
---------- > Those among list members who belong to 'first class' nations will never
> be able to understand this. Only the victims of discrimination (by
> citizenship, that is) are fully aware of the problem. Sadly enough,
> attitudes change with amazing speed when status changes: I have seen
> former victims, only months after obtaining a desired new passport, say
> "you Third World people" to their (former) brethren.
>
> Many in the so-called developed countries may sympathize, but not enough
> for any action (the issue is not a 'burning' one for them).
> Unfortunately, any change of status quo depends precisely on those
> nations.
>
> Still this "circumstantial aspect" has its importance and no one should
> seriously seek to 'abolish' it. It's fine to be a 'citizen of the
> World', but <belonging> to a place, nation, community will always make a
> difference. After all, it's all about identity, individuality,
> character, diversity. There is nothing wrong with being proud of your
> nationality (I pity those who easily trade it for a more 'prestigious'
> one).
>
> The difficulty is to reconcile a healthy patriotism with the unjust
> system of labeling and valuing individual professionals in the
> international arena. IMHO standing firm against discrimination and
> struggling to assert oneself despite prejudices is proving more
> effective than moaning and pleading for someone's global intervention.
>
> Best of luck to all colleagues with other than North American and EU
> passports!
>
> V. Dimitroff