To those who are far from chez eux
One of the things I will take away from France is an unconditional respect for people who leave their home country to look for a better life. Seeking a better life is the most human of motivations.
Such people fall into many different categories. Legal, illegal, black, white, with contacts, jobs and family, or without. Some have it easier than others.
Our family have had it fairly easy. We are lucky enough be white, 'invisible' immigrants, with papers. When I hear criticism of people who 'do not want to integrate', who 'don't speak French at home', I know that although they could be talking about my family, they don't really mean us. French society is racist to an extent that the UK simply is not.
If anyone wants to disagree with me, here's an example. When I was looking for our current flat, I was struck dumb when the estate agent, finding himself with a fellow white person (that he'd met 10 minutes before) remarked that I shouldn't bother looking in a certain part of town because 'il y a beaucoup d'Arabes'. Such a comment would be totally inadmissable in the UK.
The test of my optimism, of course, will be bringing my Eastern European husband back to the UK to make a new life. If I ever encounter racism of any kind, towards him or my children, you can be sure to read about it here.
Attitudes in the UK are hardening towards foreigners, with the help of the tabloid press. I find it hard to get worked up about immigration, because having been an immigrant (I see myself more as an immigrant than an expatriate), I think I understand it a little better than the average Daily Mail reader. What people who have lived in one place their whole life find hard to grasp is that living in a foreign country long term is tough and draining. With the exception of a few career drifters, most people dream of returning home one day, if conditions permit. I could laugh at the way hubski insists on watching the St Petersburg local television news via satellite every day, but I don't. Even though he hasn't lived there for 15 years, and will likely never live there again, he needs to know what's happening 'back home'. I read the British press every day for the same reason.
Such people fall into many different categories. Legal, illegal, black, white, with contacts, jobs and family, or without. Some have it easier than others.
Our family have had it fairly easy. We are lucky enough be white, 'invisible' immigrants, with papers. When I hear criticism of people who 'do not want to integrate', who 'don't speak French at home', I know that although they could be talking about my family, they don't really mean us. French society is racist to an extent that the UK simply is not.
If anyone wants to disagree with me, here's an example. When I was looking for our current flat, I was struck dumb when the estate agent, finding himself with a fellow white person (that he'd met 10 minutes before) remarked that I shouldn't bother looking in a certain part of town because 'il y a beaucoup d'Arabes'. Such a comment would be totally inadmissable in the UK.
The test of my optimism, of course, will be bringing my Eastern European husband back to the UK to make a new life. If I ever encounter racism of any kind, towards him or my children, you can be sure to read about it here.
Attitudes in the UK are hardening towards foreigners, with the help of the tabloid press. I find it hard to get worked up about immigration, because having been an immigrant (I see myself more as an immigrant than an expatriate), I think I understand it a little better than the average Daily Mail reader. What people who have lived in one place their whole life find hard to grasp is that living in a foreign country long term is tough and draining. With the exception of a few career drifters, most people dream of returning home one day, if conditions permit. I could laugh at the way hubski insists on watching the St Petersburg local television news via satellite every day, but I don't. Even though he hasn't lived there for 15 years, and will likely never live there again, he needs to know what's happening 'back home'. I read the British press every day for the same reason.
posted by francesca tereshkova | 6:53 AM
1 Comments:
Hi Francesca,
Elequently written. I too feel more an immigrant tha an expat and yes life in this place is bloody hard indeed.
My father was Polish and fought in the last world war and when it ended he was prevented from returning to his homeland and stayed in the UK. He never had the opportunity to return to visit Poland until the late 70's.
In latter years especially after moving to France I began to comprehend a little of what life must have been for him and although my situation is different in as much as my time in France is volountary, nonetheless it is hard being away from your roots and culture. Particulary in a country like France. I'm not sure what I expected from France and the French when I first moved here but what I do know is that they are a breed appart and not in any positive sense.
So, roll on the 5/6th of July when I go back to Royaume-Uni and start again in a place where I know where the tea, milk and sugar are kept and where, when I walk down the street, I will be able to pick up most if not all of what is being said in the conversations going on around me.
I'm almost beside myself with childlike excitement.
Warm regards,
Ewan
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