THERE has been migration since mankind evolved and humanity first began its journey out of Africa. Sometimes this caused conflict as tribes arrived, more often people assimilated peacefully. How it was viewed depended on whether or not you were the one doing the settling.
A right-wing US commentator has come out with weasel words about being descended from settlers not migrants, and Donald Trump’s blitzkrieg tour of Europe, where he wreaked havoc wherever he went, also saw him inject poison into the debate by referring to culture – as if those who landed in America, the Amish or Pilgrim Fathers, Jews fleeing pogroms or Catholics escaping starvation were part of some homogeneous society. Many left their lands after being persecuted as minorities and to this day many seek to avoid assimilation or remain proudly distinct.
Mr Trump’s comments weren’t just a selective interpretation of history but a deliberate demeaning of emigrants who aren’t white or Christian; unbridled racism, distorting reality, denying history and seeking to generate hate and fear.
Migration is something that has moulded modern Scotland as whole communities, whether from Ireland or Italy, arrived. It even forms part of the national psyche with endemic emigration over centuries creating feelings of ennui and loss, as well as pride in their achievements. Yet, it’s strange how, as with Mr Trump, some Scots can boast of emigrant kinfolk but be hostile to migrants.
Of course, selective interpretation is easily made. Suggestions that they went legally apply to some, but many more travelled at a time when rejection was simply due to fever or some other dreadful malady. Checks on £10 Poms or other such emigrants were few as the countries were open and welcoming. Five million Europeans left for the Americas and Antipodes in the 1950s, which puts current African migration in perspective. My own Grandmother departed a generation before for Canada along with hundreds of other Hebrideans, facing limited checks and met by friendly officials.
They were economic migrants as have been most Scots down through the years, the vast majority choosing to leave for better prospects rather than the few shamefully driven from their land. Now for some, and shamefully Scots included, “economic migrants” has become a dirty word. Oh how short our memories are.
It has affected not just how these people are seen but even compassion displayed towards them. Drownings in the Mediterranean are increasing at a scandalous and shameful rate, from one in 38 in the first six months of 2017, through one in 19 in the first six months of this year and now standing at 1 in 7.
These are men women and children sometimes seeking to escape conflict or disasters we’ve caused but always seeking to improve their dreadful lives. Are our memories also so short that we aren’t haunted by the tear-face stained of the father cuddling his drowned infant child, only a year ago?
Generations before, the journey hadn’t easy been for those departing our shores. On the sands at Vatersay there’s a memorial facing forlornly out to the wide Atlantic, commemorating the Annie Jane that sank in 1853 sailing from Liverpool to Quebec. There were many Scots on board but of the 450 passengers and crew only 102 made it ashore. Few Scots wouldn’t shed a tear for the plight of those heading for a new and better life but who tragically drowned at sea. The islanders bravely sought to save who they could from tempestuous waters, which only puts the actions of Italy and other European nations in the dock. To fail to try to help is bad enough but to thwart good people seeking to help’s an utter scandal, and a crime perpetrated by modern political populism.
Migration is complex and not easy for democratic governments to deal with, as fears are whipped up by Mr Trump and the likes of Nigel Farage. Not just social democratic governments in Sweden but of the right in Germany are feeling pressure but to their great credit are seeking to hold a line. Angela Merkel has put British politicians to shame.
Perhaps it’s because its within her memory that at the end of the Second World War Germany had a greater population than at its outset. For despite millions lost on the battlefield and in bombed cities the expulsion of ethnic Germans from all across Europe outweighed it. Many were badly treated, fleeing revenge sought for horrendous Nazis crimes, but they themselves were innocent and many arrived not even knowing German. Sounds familiar.
In the more complex world in which we live every nation needs an immigration policy and not everyone who wants to can come. I remember as Justice Secretary being rightly lectured by my Irish counterpart for naivety in comments on it. But, there must be humanity displayed to those fleeing just as the people of Vatersay and Barra showed all those years ago. Steps must be taken to provide sanctuary, a word those who profess to be Christian should know. Many others will have to be returned but they should be treated decently and most importantly of all we must try to solve the problems that make them embark in the first place. That requires co-operation on a European and even global scale, which is what again Mrs Merkel has been seeking to do but Britain opposes or undermines.
As global warming worsens numbers are only going to increase. Building a wall or creating a European fortress won’t work, not against the great march of desperate people. So far in Scotland Nicola Sturgeon has shown great leadership and courage in supporting migration, not just as an economic necessity but through common decency. Other parties here have mainly been likewise, unlike their southern leaders who more often have either implemented or pandered to populism.
It’s not easy but it’s time to stand behind politicians like Ms Sturgeon and Mrs Merkel seeking to do the right thing and oppose populism. It mightn’t be possible to hold the tide here as recent shameful incidents have shown. Sadly, some Scots don’t view us all as Jock Tamson’s Bairns but echo Mr Trump.
But, if that happens I want none of it. I won’t be able to emigrate like my Granny but it won’t be in my name, for this isn’t about migration, but humanity.
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