About Immigration
Last week we received at our English Class the visit of Louis, a Belgian young man that came to Poli as an exchange student. He told us about the immigration life in Belgium.
An interesting fact I learned from the interview was about the multilingualism of Belgium. This country is divided in three Communities or three Regions where the local population speaks different languages. So someone that is thinking of immigrating to this country has to think about this. In the Flemish Region (Flanders), for example, the main language is Dutch. Wallon Region (Wallonia) is a German-speaking Region and at the Brussels-Capital Region the official language is French. Although these three languages are official languages at these Regions, Belgium has also different local dialects.
Our interviewee spoke to us in English. As it is usual in European countries, in spite of a mother local language, English is the academic and business language, so the most recent young population speaks English as a second language. As our interviewee came from the Belgian Region where French is the official language, he has an English with a French accent.
Louis was invited to visit our English Class because we had studied a lesson about the Patel brothers whose family immigrated from an Asia country to Kenya – Africa. So the family had a native spoken language and at the new country they had to speak the local dialect or the Swahili and English, because Kenya is a multilingual country. When the two Patel brothers, Vijay and Bhikhu were young they had another immigration experience. They moved to the UK. In this new country they made fortune.
As a subject of our English Class we listened to a tape with the Patel brothers answering about their immigration experience in the UK. As Louis they speak English with an accent, but differently from Louis’s their accent is not a French accent. I suppose they have an Asian or African accent.
When a person is thinking about immigrating to another country there are several important questions to think about, as local rules about immigration, for example. Nowadays, the European countries are becoming increasingly xenophobic countries, probably due to economical reasons. This is a serious question to consider when someone is planning to immigrate. The most secure way to immigrate is to have legal papers. Someone with no legal papers living at another country has to survive with a psychological strain every day - What can happen to me if I’m caught without papers?
Louis spoke to us about the liberal immigrant context that they have in Belgium. The immigrants, even those who live there without legal papers have no problems with the authorities. He gave us an example of this. His Brazilian Portuguese teacher lives there without papers. When the authorities ask for her papers and she can’t prove that she is in a legal situation in Belgium, the authorities by their turn don’t take her to prison, she is not deported. She is advised to get official papers or to move. Louis told us when this happens, she would move to another place and continues to live in the country.
I don’t think of immigrating to another country, but I would like to have another experience abroad. I lived one year in London where I started my English language studies. Although I had this experience I don’t have fluency in English. Now I would like to live at least one more year abroad in an English speaking country, to finally improve my English and to have an academic experience too. For this I’m having English classes at IME-Jr.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Suzan - Tabloid Article
The big revelation
Jeconias Guimarães, 28, is a physicist that affirms to have discovered a bigfoot community on the USA west coast. The discovery happened during a scientific trip when he was looking for flying saucer wrecks that would have fallen in the area.
Although many “bigfoot hunters” had explored the area for decades and never managed to register the animal, Guimarães was so lucky that not only did he document the animal’s existence but also affirms to have fallen in love with a female.
Asked about the attraction that he would have found on the “Beautiful girl” he describes her as one warm body and shiny hair! He is very happy although he did not find any UFO.
Love is in the air! Have a good weekend people…
photo by Suzan and Jeconias
Nivaldo - Essay on immigration
IMMIGRATION
The suburbs of Grenoble, France, were the center of the attention when unemployed teens attacked some policemen in July. They were burning cars and transforming the neighborhood in a battlefield. The state of Arizona, USA, recently enacted a law that allows policemen to inquire citizens about the regularity of their situation of immigrants and to take action if they are illegal.
So there are a lot of physical and psychological walls that try to serve as barriers to immigration. Would they work?
I don’t think so; not at all. My thesis is that people try to survive better where they can, and if to live better they have to leave behind a poor and low-expectation country and then they live on the crumbs that the developed country provides, they will do that. The current development model enables such differences. So for a long-term solution of the problem, it is necessary to change the model, that is, to change the expectations of the people that live in the countries which are origin of such movement.
Nowadays the economic crisis exacerbated the felling against immigration. In general, the majority of people are against it and even the moderate political parties are at least in silence to avoid losing votes.
On the other hand, the number of immigrants and descendants are growing.
As we can see in the following table, taking the USA as example, in the last three decades there was an effective growing of immigration.
Immigration numbers
* Projections and graph courtesy Population Environment Balance, Sources: U.S. Census Bureau2; Statistical Yearbook40, Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services
Average 195,000 per year from 1921-1970
It is interesting to see how this plays out in the real world. According to journalist Roy Beck, in California it is necessary to construct a new classroom every hour of the day, 24 hours per day 365 days of the year to accommodate immigrant children. The financial cost is borne by native households, who according to a National Academy of Science report, pay an additional $1200 per year in taxes because of mass immigration. Even so, the primary concern to environmentalists and Sierra Club members is the tremendous environmental impact that will be incurred as a consequence of continued U.S. population growth. (Source: Wikipedia)
Yes, it is impossible to absorb the number of excluded on the world through immigration.
80% of the natural resources are spent by 20% of population of the world, and not to mention the shame of exploitation of resources of less developed countries.
In conclusion, we need a new economic order. A new economy that solves the existing economical inequalities and correlated problems such as waste of energy and pollution
It is very difficult to think how to make it. Perhaps the poor countries together outside of the arranged game of UN will take some kind of action.
For sure the design of new solutions with the Capitalism as we know it today is impossible. A lesson that has to be taken from developed countries. Something new has to be thought and put to work changing selfishness for sharing and death for life.
The suburbs of Grenoble, France, were the center of the attention when unemployed teens attacked some policemen in July. They were burning cars and transforming the neighborhood in a battlefield. The state of Arizona, USA, recently enacted a law that allows policemen to inquire citizens about the regularity of their situation of immigrants and to take action if they are illegal.
So there are a lot of physical and psychological walls that try to serve as barriers to immigration. Would they work?
I don’t think so; not at all. My thesis is that people try to survive better where they can, and if to live better they have to leave behind a poor and low-expectation country and then they live on the crumbs that the developed country provides, they will do that. The current development model enables such differences. So for a long-term solution of the problem, it is necessary to change the model, that is, to change the expectations of the people that live in the countries which are origin of such movement.
Nowadays the economic crisis exacerbated the felling against immigration. In general, the majority of people are against it and even the moderate political parties are at least in silence to avoid losing votes.
On the other hand, the number of immigrants and descendants are growing.
As we can see in the following table, taking the USA as example, in the last three decades there was an effective growing of immigration.
Immigration numbers
* Projections and graph courtesy Population Environment Balance, Sources: U.S. Census Bureau2; Statistical Yearbook40, Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services
Average 195,000 per year from 1921-1970
It is interesting to see how this plays out in the real world. According to journalist Roy Beck, in California it is necessary to construct a new classroom every hour of the day, 24 hours per day 365 days of the year to accommodate immigrant children. The financial cost is borne by native households, who according to a National Academy of Science report, pay an additional $1200 per year in taxes because of mass immigration. Even so, the primary concern to environmentalists and Sierra Club members is the tremendous environmental impact that will be incurred as a consequence of continued U.S. population growth. (Source: Wikipedia)
Yes, it is impossible to absorb the number of excluded on the world through immigration.
80% of the natural resources are spent by 20% of population of the world, and not to mention the shame of exploitation of resources of less developed countries.
In conclusion, we need a new economic order. A new economy that solves the existing economical inequalities and correlated problems such as waste of energy and pollution
It is very difficult to think how to make it. Perhaps the poor countries together outside of the arranged game of UN will take some kind of action.
For sure the design of new solutions with the Capitalism as we know it today is impossible. A lesson that has to be taken from developed countries. Something new has to be thought and put to work changing selfishness for sharing and death for life.
Mateus - Essay on immigration
IMMIGRATION IN OUR SOCIETY
Millions of immigrants have helped in the making of the history and development of many countries. In the United States, for example, the economic development has been supported by those who have given their lives for being part of the labor force. Countries in Europe, such as France opened their borders to a diversity of workers in order to rebuild the country after the Second World War. The more immigrants stay in a country the more its level of multiculturalism will increase. However, the lack of integration between different cultures and the increasing number of illegal foreigners have made a controversial stereotype of the immigrants.
According to BBC, 60% of Spaniards link immigrants to crime. In Italy, newcomers can be deported promptly. Many countries also moved up the agenda and even considered changes in their immigration laws, e.g., France and the US. The latter encourages local police to check the immigration status of people and the former proposed new rules that would allow immediately expulsion of foreigners.
The resentment against immigrants is rising, but how far can it go? Are the politicians being guided by the atmosphere of intolerance? Or do they rely on the selfishness of their people? If Europe or the US still depends on the immigrants because of ageing populations and falling birth rates, why are they kicking out (or avoiding the entrance of) many people? The answers to these questions might be unknown, but there is a chance they are related to the attitude of not being open for integration, since this is always difficult due to the existence of different beliefs.
Another point of view is the consequences for a nation of loosening the visa laws, i.e., opening the country for newcomers rather than restricting the entrance. If illegal immigrants find out about such a place, it will turn out to be a magnet for people who want to stay and live without paying taxes. Additionally, the increasing population of foreigners can make a region develop a unique culture, apart from the rest of a country, as in the Canadian province of Quebéc, where the French-speaking majority have influenced a separatist movement.
In many countries, from colonial times in the past through the early 21st century, people from around the world have migrated to different places, including the now so-called under-developing nations as Brazil. Despite their different languages and cultures, they arrived to build new lives and find new perspectives for their family. As a result, they have contributed to the countries they have adopted and are part of the frustrations and accomplishments of those nations.
Millions of immigrants have helped in the making of the history and development of many countries. In the United States, for example, the economic development has been supported by those who have given their lives for being part of the labor force. Countries in Europe, such as France opened their borders to a diversity of workers in order to rebuild the country after the Second World War. The more immigrants stay in a country the more its level of multiculturalism will increase. However, the lack of integration between different cultures and the increasing number of illegal foreigners have made a controversial stereotype of the immigrants.
According to BBC, 60% of Spaniards link immigrants to crime. In Italy, newcomers can be deported promptly. Many countries also moved up the agenda and even considered changes in their immigration laws, e.g., France and the US. The latter encourages local police to check the immigration status of people and the former proposed new rules that would allow immediately expulsion of foreigners.
The resentment against immigrants is rising, but how far can it go? Are the politicians being guided by the atmosphere of intolerance? Or do they rely on the selfishness of their people? If Europe or the US still depends on the immigrants because of ageing populations and falling birth rates, why are they kicking out (or avoiding the entrance of) many people? The answers to these questions might be unknown, but there is a chance they are related to the attitude of not being open for integration, since this is always difficult due to the existence of different beliefs.
Another point of view is the consequences for a nation of loosening the visa laws, i.e., opening the country for newcomers rather than restricting the entrance. If illegal immigrants find out about such a place, it will turn out to be a magnet for people who want to stay and live without paying taxes. Additionally, the increasing population of foreigners can make a region develop a unique culture, apart from the rest of a country, as in the Canadian province of Quebéc, where the French-speaking majority have influenced a separatist movement.
In many countries, from colonial times in the past through the early 21st century, people from around the world have migrated to different places, including the now so-called under-developing nations as Brazil. Despite their different languages and cultures, they arrived to build new lives and find new perspectives for their family. As a result, they have contributed to the countries they have adopted and are part of the frustrations and accomplishments of those nations.
Marcos - Essay on immigration
Historical approach of the immigration in Brazil.
The history of immigration in Brazil began in the early 19th century with the end of slavery. The Slaves (Africans who had to work without salary) didn’t have to be forced to work in farms, and the farmers had to search for other workers to their farms. The Portuguese were the first that came, to work in the coffee plantations in the countryside of São Paulo State, from that time on, many other people around the world also came.
The most expressive number of immigrants that arrived in Brazil was undoubtedly the European, mainly Portuguese, Italians and Germans. Europe was going through the World War I and many people fleeing from the war came to Brazil, especially to work in the aforementioned coffee plantations in São Paulo and Minas Gerais States and in the agriculture of the South of Brazil, such as in Santa Catarina State.
Arriving in the seaport of Santos, the Italians and Portuguese moved toward the countryside of São Paulo and Minas Gerais and the Germans to South, Santa Catarina State. They started by finding work and building their homes there, and bringing the remaining of their families that were still living in Europe.
From the last decade of 19th century to nowadays, it has been clearly observed another kind of immigrants in Brazil, coming from Asia, especially the Japanese and Chinese. These other immigrants have decided to settle down in the city of São Paulo, and have been working with trade market, e.g. selling a great variety of thing, including technologic equipment, clothes, food etc.
Around the world immigrants have not been very approving toward immigartion, but here in Brazil, immigrants are seen as people who help us to build our country and culture and who bring us a little bit of each nation.
The history of immigration in Brazil began in the early 19th century with the end of slavery. The Slaves (Africans who had to work without salary) didn’t have to be forced to work in farms, and the farmers had to search for other workers to their farms. The Portuguese were the first that came, to work in the coffee plantations in the countryside of São Paulo State, from that time on, many other people around the world also came.
The most expressive number of immigrants that arrived in Brazil was undoubtedly the European, mainly Portuguese, Italians and Germans. Europe was going through the World War I and many people fleeing from the war came to Brazil, especially to work in the aforementioned coffee plantations in São Paulo and Minas Gerais States and in the agriculture of the South of Brazil, such as in Santa Catarina State.
Arriving in the seaport of Santos, the Italians and Portuguese moved toward the countryside of São Paulo and Minas Gerais and the Germans to South, Santa Catarina State. They started by finding work and building their homes there, and bringing the remaining of their families that were still living in Europe.
From the last decade of 19th century to nowadays, it has been clearly observed another kind of immigrants in Brazil, coming from Asia, especially the Japanese and Chinese. These other immigrants have decided to settle down in the city of São Paulo, and have been working with trade market, e.g. selling a great variety of thing, including technologic equipment, clothes, food etc.
Around the world immigrants have not been very approving toward immigartion, but here in Brazil, immigrants are seen as people who help us to build our country and culture and who bring us a little bit of each nation.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Roseli - Tabloid Article
The next Adriana’s husband.
Adriana is a famous Brazilian actress, who had many husbands. The last was
A fireman with wonderful physical attributes. He was younger than she. They were always on the beach, where people paid a lot of attention to them.
Then when he died, she had a surprise, he was involved with drugs and another woman.
She has been single since this event. Now she is making a trip to Europe by ship.
Adriana says her next husband will be older but not very much, prettier and richer than the others, a real prince for her. She intends to give a big party to introduce him to society.
Adriana is a famous Brazilian actress, who had many husbands. The last was
A fireman with wonderful physical attributes. He was younger than she. They were always on the beach, where people paid a lot of attention to them.
Then when he died, she had a surprise, he was involved with drugs and another woman.
She has been single since this event. Now she is making a trip to Europe by ship.
Adriana says her next husband will be older but not very much, prettier and richer than the others, a real prince for her. She intends to give a big party to introduce him to society.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Mariane Rodrigues - Tabloid Article
Scandal at ECA
Today ECA (Communication and Arts School) woke up shocked like we had never seen before.
Last night, September 20, one event happened much awaited in the last months: the costume party Melindrosa. Everything was going well at the party until the arrival of the great character of night: Clayton.
Clayton Silva, 20 years old, is a student of journalism very known at ECA. Being one of the most popular directors of the athletics, he surprised everyone by showing his “new side”.
Since the beginning of night when the party began, Clayton was seen very excited and drinking a lot. After a few hours – and many beers, vodka, jurupinga and other drinks –at the sound of Madonna he was excited and….took off his clothes! shirt to one side of the room, pants thrown into the crowd and underwear .... well, nobody saw where the underwear ended up
Some people said that his dignity was lost amid the mess. For two hours the success of the dance floor was the "naked dance" until the organization of the party had to interfere to end the "attraction".
It was really a scandal in University and everyone at USP has heard about what happened.
Poor Clayton, after the party his popularity has been shaken and will decrease…or not? Only time will tell…
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