Incoming immigrant rant.

We had quite a bit of snow here in Norway the past days, so the media decided to highlight videos of local Norwegians skiing to work. (Very Norwegian thing to do).

My friends back home saw the news article and were wowed by it, wondering if winters are so bad here that we have to ski to work. I giggled about it, saying that it’s much less hassle to walk to work. They are just proud of their love of skiing and like to show it off. That’s when all hell broke loose.

I was told that if I am to be truly integrated here, I must learn to love the snow and enjoy skiing. I was practically shamed for not liking the winter, and told I would never be integrated in this society if I didn’t learn to be Norwegian. One even gave me shit because, even after living here for 10 years, I still insist on celebrating Xmas on December 25th (instead of the 24th like they do), and I still make a feast for Thanksgiving and invite the locals to join me. How horrible

On behalf of all immigrants everywhere, let me say this:

Immigrants do not have to enjoy the same things you do, dress like you, celebrate the same things the same way you do, nor have your same views on life or share your same personality, to be properly integrated into your society.

Integration is learning the language of the local people, getting a job, being self-sufficient, paying your taxes, and being an active and productive member of society. Integration is not denying your heritage and changing your entire personality, from the clothes you wear, to things you enjoy doing, or how you choose to get to work in the morning, just to fit in. That’s not integration. That’s assimilation. Two totally different things.

So, please, if you know an immigrant who can speak your language, works hard at their job, pays their taxes, and is socially and/or politically active in society, don’t fucking shame them because they love soccer instead of the NFL, speak their native language to their own children, still prefer their own home cooking to your country’s cuisine, or they still celebrate holidays from their home country. They’ve already had to abandon and/or lose everything and everyone they love just to move to your country. They shouldn’t have to lose their personal identity as well.

/ end rant