I spotted an interesting exchange under an article about areas and ethnic diversity in our city.
Obviously full of "Get out of Europe" and "There is just too many foreigners" comments. But one took a prize. I will write it in standard English, but the original was in style of "Wot bowt them immergrants living their and huving there nice cars".
Basically an adult woman was wondering about "them Nigerians, Polish" and some other nationality, having 2 (according to her) brand new cars per household at the times when "most of the working people rely on foodbanks". Number of people relying on foodbanks is high and it shouldn't be like that(!) but it's certainly not most.
When someone explained to her that they might be in a good job, because there is lots of highly qualified foreigners (yeah we do have schools and unies abroad) she started questioning why are they living in what is a deprived area if "their so smart with gud jobs" (not quoting, paraphrasing here). People gave up talking to her shortly after that.
I have 3 AIBUs here.
AIBU
- - to worry that lots of people really think that immigrants can't possibly be educated to high level and have good jobs? That people think we just come here with our sticks and then discover that there are things like technology and indoor toilet? I got asked few years back if we had indoor toilets in my native country... It is a central Europe fgs.
- - to think that if some people (I understand for some it's hard or flat out impossible due to learning disabilities however, I know people who still got great jobs, because they use their other skills) like her actually learned at least basics of English language, like "them - insert nationality-" did and went to work and spend extra time on educating themselves and bettering their skills to get higher on career ladder or even do their own thing, they could achieve a good life standard too? People come to UK with minimal English, £500, if that, in their pocket and yet they learn and work themselves up. Majority, not absolutely everyone, of course.
- - to think that it's actually good for a deprived area to get residents like that who tend to care for their houses and area more than a cheapy landlord (and some locals to be frank)? I am one of them. I moved to non desirable postcode (actually same as her deprived area) because I couldn't afford to buy elsewhere, even with a good job, and we have new car (finance and nothing flashy). It's actually lovely here because we all take care of our street and everyone is friendly.
I am sorry if it's bit confused. Typing it on a phone so I can't see the whole text as I type. I hope you understand what I mean. I am very curios what do you all think because there are people from basically every background and from all different walks of life.