Migrant Voices

Personally, I think some misunderstandings people have about migrants are the challenges they face to adapt to new surroundings and cultures. More so, most people think that all migrants face the same struggles and experiences which is absolutely not the case. Every migrant has a different story to tell. Having said that, there are numerous reasons why people move to a different country. A typical example is being a ‘black’ person. There is the perception of black people being under-educated or poor. This is a myth as recent research by the UK government has proven that there has been a percentage increase of graduates with a first-class or 2:1 degree from 50.8% to 67.1% in the black ethnic group. I believe that it’s about time people start to embrace migrants and see the positive impact they make in the host country.

I was recently part of a conversation where someone spoke of the terms ‘first/second/third generation immigrants’, wondering just how much people have to assimilate before they can be considered British. It’s an interesting
question, one that has stayed with me, and for which I can’t quite decide an answer.
However, I do think this terminology helps us to identify and honour the assimilation and adjustments so many have made to settle here, and to improve the conditions for their children and those still to come. I think of violent movements like ‘Paki-bashing’, and I wonder if younger generations (including myself) truly appreciate how hard this process of integration was. I think people misunderstand just how difficult it still is, because although the threat of physical violence may have decreased, the negative discussions, particularly by politicians, still perpetuate a very hostile environment. This must be especially horrific for those who have had difficult journeys here.

I feel sometimes some people don’t know the difference between someone who was born in the UK and grew up here and knows the culture, and someone who came here whether through life choices like work, or different reasons and has to learn not only the language but also the culture. Some stories can give people different messages and negative understanding about how citizens from so-called developing countries come here to take people’s jobs and make things difficult for people living here. It is also used by politicians to win votes to get to the next stage of their political career or to change people’s opinions to get what they need. But migrants contribute tremendously: economically, socially, culturally, and in everyday life, not only in Scotland but in the UK and around the world.

There are many misunderstandings, many of which are caused by the politicians using migrant communities as scapegoating to distract people, so they are unaware of the fundamental problems and the politicians’ failures to sort them out. Another issue is how generally the media portray migrant communities, mainly from a security, border control and catastrophic perspective, based on politicised and toxic discourses. We don’t know anything about individual experiences; there is a lack of humanity in the coverage. These negative portrayals are creating barriers and dividing communities. We don’t feel connected as fellows. We think we are enemies. People are manipulated to believe in stereotypes, in a narrative that increases bigotry and misinformation. This creates more walls and borders and makes us forget our humanity and solidarity.