They're not refugees, we're being invaded

[goonthenflameme]

I admit, the Syrians have got it bad. There is a war and those boys who haven't been shot by ISIL are being conscripted by the President.

But if life is that bad, why do they only want to go to Germany and if they can't go then then they'll go back to Syria.

Why are we now seeing people from Kazakstan joining the throngs?

I agree that people from Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria need help. But the thougsands and thousands of people coming through can't all be refugees in dire need of help if they are so picky as to where they will live.

They're invading Europe. And we are letting them. What's going to happen in 20 years? Will Christianity and western ways be swept under the carpet?

I'm aghast at the sexist apprentices and HR allowing it FFS, is this really happening in 2015

Yes, I'm afraid it is; unfortunately I also experienced the same attitudes as Sovery when working in recruitment

The sector I was in involved asians being massively in the majority, and sadly the prevalence of deeply misogynistic attitudes is something I'd prefer not to have experienced. This included a male candidate demanding that a female trainer be removed, young female candidates being unable to attend courses unless chaperoned, ceaseless reports to the EHRC when men didn't get exactly their own way and much, much more

It goes without saying (or at least it should) that I had wonderful asian male candidates too, but among those already mentioned, perhaps the most worrying thing was this: they sincerely believed they were behaving in a manner which was beyond challenge and could become very aggressive in defending that viewpoint

what I also find notable is that this is one of the great migrations in human history that we are viewing

My mother pointed out that it's just like Exodus. It is - even the causes are fundamentally the same. So, it seems, are the bigotry and rejection they faced anywhere they went :(

We also discussed anti-semitism. The term 'Semitic' doesn't only applies to Jews; it describes everyone of Middle Eastern and Arabic appearance & cultural provenance. I tend to feel it's relevant in this mass rejection of human beings from the region.

there are plenty of controlling men here already - I'm glad PP have pointed out that misogyny's alive and kicking in all cultures and societies. Trying to reject a whole people because they're patriarchal won't wash. The damn thing's everywhere, in all disguises.

Puzzled, my last boss liked to announce loudly that women are only for fucking and cooking. He was British. So was my father, who wouldn't even let Mum go to an evening class or learn to drive. He certainly made sure she'd never be invited to represent our country in any capacity, except as his wife. Perhaps I need to add that he was British, too.

The thing is though Garrick, if your mum had decided to divorce his sorry arse, she could have, although I know that's easier said than done). It's harder for women when their lack of equal rights are enshrined in their country's laws.

I cannot see the sense in bringing in men who think they are superior to women and have had that view supported legally in the places they come from. They are not going to change. We should only bring people here who are going to improve our society, not make it harder for us.

beaucoupdemojo and her ild would much rather let them drown or what is more bomb the shite out of them, because they clearly as race deserve it.

Here are some extracts from a feminist woman who migrated to London:

"I have a common identity with other emigrants. We are forced to emigrate to another country - England - which dominates and colonises our country. I thought it would be another home, and I would be welcomed. I was wrong.

"... to remedy the situation they would bring me on a tour of London! Slowly it sank in. I was supposed to adapt and become part of their movement, culture, politics. I was never asked about what was happening at home, whether things were different or the same. It didn't matter.

"That English feminists have access to resources that are a million miles away from my countrywomen's reach is not a fluke. We are impoverished because Britain was enriched through colonial power; by our produce, land and people."

The author is Roisin Boyd, an Irish journalist writing about joining Spare Rib in 1980.

Her fantastic article highlights just some of the ingrained bigotry holding back immigrants of any description other than white English or American. As she disturbingly points out, this is our 'normal' and anyone else is deemed inferior. Which is just what posters are still doing here: labelling (potential) immigrants inferior and unwanted, unless they're white and American.

Meanwhile, our national dish is a curry and we treat ourselves to a Chinese takeaway. We brag about loving sushi and Thai food; our patron saint was a Syrian; we guzzle wine, vodka and tea; we eat tofu; our language is a mashup of other languages. Are you quite sure you know what it means to be English?

Haven't RTFT (yeah I know, shoot me) - only just got in. Basing response entirely on OP:

PISS OFF.

Jack. I reckon you can guess what the other 531 posts say

I am not a racist, I was raised by parents who taught me to respect and embrace humanity. I do not judge people based on their colour, ethnicity, gender, age, etc.

I have two teenage daughters and am quite frankly terrified of the potential for this country to tip the balance in favour of a Muslim dominated culture. That doesn't make me a racist, it means I have a choice and a voice and my daughters have a choice and a voice, which under Sharia law they wouldn't. I don't see anything in the Islamic faith that is enticing, and cannot understand why any western woman would want to willingly convert to Islam, but some do. Hey ho. That is their CHOICE because we are lucky to live in a democratic society where they can make that choice. I respect their choice, even if I don't understand it, and even though I would not make that choice myself. Doesn't make me a racist.

We already have pockets of totally Muslim/Islamic culture in the UK. I feel threatened if I have reason to visit or travel through such areas. Not because I am a racist. Because I am a woman. I don't want to add millions more Muslims to our population, not because I am a racist, but because I am afraid of what this country will look like in 20, 30, 40, 50 years time, for my daughters and their daughters. I am already wondering if we might one day need to leave and where we could flee to, if it comes to it, and whether I should be planning, resourcing for that possible eventuality.

Those do-gooders who very correctly bring to our attention the unbelievable suffering and plight of the Syrian refugees have my support, I agree we should do much to help them. I don't agree that Europe flings wide its doors and accepts as many as want to come. That is madness, chaos, anarchy. There has to be a process, there has to be a quota, there has to be a limit. I fear that those who want to fling open our doors and accept as many refugees / migrants who want to come here don't understand the fragile balance of our society, the political system we have and take for granted that nothing will change that. So so dangerous, I thank god they are not in charge, but am truly fearful that one day they might. I don't want to leave the UK but guess we will if it means protecting my DD's from a Muslim state.

While I really don't want to live in a country that is inherently sexist and in general dismissive of human rights, it's not refugees that would bring it about.
If you're worried about how a Muslim majority would change the country, you should worry more about all the immigrants that go in the UK regularly. In addition, many come from sexist cultures and aren't even Muslim. So, yes, there may some racism there.

Then, what was so offensive about the op is ignoring the plight of the people who are fleeing death and disease and dressing it up as an invasion. When Europe and the US have happily contributed to this state of affairs and have done virtually fuck all to improve their lives in their homes or in the countries they have first arrived in.

If you're worried about how a Muslim majority would change the country, you should worry more about all the immigrants that go in the UK regularly. In addition, many come from sexist cultures and aren't even Muslim. So, yes, there may some racism there

I do worry about all the immigration into the UK and how it is changng our society. But the Muslim contingent is the biggest, and the one I worry about the most. It seems you cannot say "I am concerned about the levels of Islamic immigration to the UK and how that may change the society we live in, and that I dont believe it will be a change for the better" without being called a racist. I am not a racist. I can visualise a future where the dynamic changes in the UK and I, or my DD's, are forced to convert to Islam. Don't tell me that can't happen - you only have to look at the mess the ME is in to see that a forceful minority can savage countries.

There is vanishingly little likelihood of the UK becoming a Muslim-dominated culture given that Muslims in the last census accounted for around 4% of the population. It may not be racist to fear a Muslim takeover, but it's fair to say that you are either ill informed or bigoted.

That's not to say that I disagree that religion and religiously-propagated norms are a threat to young women. Many attempts to limit women's reproductive and professional lives are rooted in religion - usually Christianity as it happens. I would love to see a move to make key parts of the UK state secular, starting with education.

Garrick, England does not dominate Ireland. That women there have fewer rights and freedoms than women here, is down to the Catholic church and their own governments refusal to separate church and state. Not England's fault! I'm surprised that as a journalist and clearly an intelligent person, it came as a shock to Roisin Boyd that she would have to fit in here. No shit Sherlock! The rest of the country was probably too busy getting on with the rest of their lives to worry overmuch about asking her what was going on in a country she had chosen to leave. And if she wasn't happy with this one, she had options!

I refuse to feel guilt about Britain's colonial past. It's been many years since we had an empire. When we did, not everything that happened in it was bad and we are not the only ones who had one. It all happened long before I was born and if some of those countries are not good places to live then their own governments have to take responsibility for it.

Like I said, immigrants come from many countries and many from cultures that are sexist. So, yes, singling out Muslims can be considered racist.

Many immigrants into the UK in recent years have come from countries where Catholicism is the majority religion.

So yes, it's certainly true to say that many immigrants come from a sexist, or at least anti-feminist, religious culture ;) - it's just that it's one that is shared by many of the people who spout nonsense about immigration.

the most worrying thing was this: they sincerely believed they were behaving in a manner which was beyond challenge and could become very aggressive in defending that viewpoint

and they can get away with it by making accusations of religious discrimination, racism and cultural insensitivity when they perceive that their 'needs' are not met, and God forbid that anyone in a position of authority should ever been seen as a culturally insensitive racist.

Garrick "... to remedy the situation they would bring me on a tour of London! Slowly it sank in. I was supposed to adapt and become part of their movement, culture, politics. I was never asked about what was happening at home, whether things were different or the same. It didn't matter. "That English feminists have access to resources that are a million miles away from my countrywomen's reach is not a fluke. We are impoverished because Britain was enriched through colonial power; by our produce, land and people." The author is Roisin Boyd, an Irish journalist writing

So she was welcomed and treated as part of her new country? My goodness, how terrible! People didn't ask her all about Ireland - um maybe because its our neighbour and in the news all the time? Maybe they assumed she left Ireland because she wanted to live in England, not talk about Ireland? Maybe those people living here aren't all British either, but simply have lives of their own and don't have time to give someone the attention she thinks she deserves, talking about herself all the time.

Is she a bit self-obsessed? When I moved to Germany, I learned the language (a barrier Roisin Boyd never had to deal with), joined a local sports club and made friends. I got invited on things like walking trips in the German Alps by my new German friends. They didn't ask me all about the UK. We were too busy making conversation. I can't say I blamed it on the war or anything!

People move abroad all the time, blaming it on colonialism or the British is pathetic. Theres also a tendency when you live abroad for long enough to begin to be very negative about things that are different about your new country; its important to recognise that and maintain a balance. I don't think Roisin Boyd did.

BusyWorkingMum I have two teenage daughters and am quite frankly terrified of the potential for this country to tip the balance in favour of a Muslim dominated culture...We already have pockets of totally Muslim/Islamic culture in the UK. I feel threatened if I have reason to visit or travel through such areas. Not because I am a racist. Because I am a woman. I don't want to add millions more Muslims to our population, not because I am a racist, but because I am afraid of what this country will look like in 20, 30, 40, 50 years time, for my daughters and their daughters.

I think these are relevant concerns to have, but many would dismiss them as hysterical or racist. But I actually think that addressing these concerns now and working out what sort of ways we can aid integration is sensible to avoid future problems. Recent history tells us that simply housing large numbers of immigrants in pockets of cities leads to ghettoism and racial tensions. I can see a future where certain cities become Muslim dominated due to population, and we need to take steps to prevent that now.

We also need to work out a way that women will not be sidelined due to the slightest hint of possible racism. I think we need to bring protection from sexually aggravated crimes up to a level footing with racially aggravated crimes. At the moment, very mild forms of racially aggravated crimes (a heated insult for instance) result, quite rightly, in criminalisation of the behaviour and it is taken very seriously, the police will respond and charges may be brought.

However, women are expected to simply put up with much more vile sexually aggravated insults all the time, minor assaults such as groping and so on, and rates of conviction for rape etc are terrible. Yet its all swept under the carpet, and all we hear about constantly is racism. And worse, some people try to label every tiny comment about someone's race as being akin to racism. e.g. even mentioning a person's nationality.

In the West, we have great protections against racism and for human rights, but it is on the assumption that everyone is going to behave and play nicely. And men from a male-dominated, money-obsessed culture simply don't always do that. It is shocking that women are now worrying about potential detriments to their everyday lives due to increasing Muslim-isation of British and European culture, and concerned about losing freedom now and in the future. Its completely unacceptable.

We are forced to emigrate to another country - England - which dominates and colonises our country ... The author is Roisin Boyd, an Irish journalist

Err - slight credibility problem there, perhaps? Roisin's urge to paint herself as a victim is all too obvious, but at least in her lifetime nobody has been forced to emigrate to England

By the way, I'm the first to agree we have plenty of sexist fools here already - and perhaps this is another reason to resist importing yet more, especially from anywhere where that sexism is deeply ingrained both culturally and legally, rather than being a purely "individual view" IYSWIM

And leavemywings you're sadly correct in referring to spurious claims of discrimination from those who haven't got quite their own way. I've wasted far too many business hours on such things ... they didn't get the job, so the process must be racist ... the training involved a woman, who should have been removed ... their driving conviction should be disregarded because it wasn't compatible with sharia law ... their spoken English was inadequate so the teaching should have been in Urdu ... and so on and so on. Maybe worth mentioning, too, that none of these allegations - not a single one - was ever supported by the agencies to whom they complained; odd, that

I agree that we need more active protection of women. But not just from one community.
At the moment the spooks are Muslim but poor treatment of women is not by all means restricted to that religion. Nor is that religion necessarily associated with poor treatment of women. Certainly not threatening.
I have to say that I worry more about some white yobs groups than Muslim men.

But why do we protect racial minorities more than women Lweji? Why do we consider the protection of women's rights less important than those of racial minorities? Why do we continue to do nothing about the poor rates of conviction for rape? To tolerate horrifically misogynistic comments about women online, in the press, etc.. But the slightest negative comments about racial origin are jumped on?

Double standards.

At the moment the spooks are Muslim but poor treatment of women is not by all means restricted to that religion

Nobody suggested it was - but the thread is about the current mass movement of people, and since the vast majority seem to be muslim it's perhaps understandable that this is where the focus lies?

But annual immigration to the UK, for example, is much more massive than the refugees the UK has accepted and probably more than the Muslims that would go in.

It's disingenuous to think it's the Muslims that could come in that are the problem for women in the UK.

When they are granted asylum in a safe country, they can send for their dependents (wife & children) who are then able to travel safely and legally to their new home.

Genuine question here-if a man is granted asylum, what actually happens next?

Which members of his family can he send for? Wife and children only? Or parents, siblings, cousins, grandparents etc?

How are they transported so that its safe and legal? Plane? Boat? What money do they live off? Where do they live?

Lewji they're a problem for some girls and women.
I wouldn't have thought so myself, until I read about women and children being raped/sexually assaulted in refugee camps. If they can do that to fellow Muslim women, women who are supposed to be their 'sisters', it doesn't really bode well for us non muslim women, does it.
Yes, I know it is (hopefully) a very small minority, but TBH one rapist is more than enough.