arabic classes in denmark

[mike47]

Good point! Makes one wonder what those imams were thinking, or why muslims in the West wrote hate mail and death threats against the cartoonists. I mean, if something is going to cause trouble why not just avoid it?

Oh, I forgot: we all know that - according to your logic and Sam's as well - muslims are only reactors. They cannot act of their own accord, or according to their own will.

The same is never true of anyone else, of course.

You are WRONG .
You are misunderstanding my position .
I do not talk for minorities or the Muslims . I see things as I see them depending from one issue to another . But from 9/11 untill now, the media, most politicians....and people have been bashing Muslims like nuts . You can not kill Muslims in Iraq and Afghanistan like mosquitoes and then come and talk non sense about justice, freedom, liberty and all the good values around noble and decent folks .

[Mrs.Lucysnow]

Quite so. Then again, Sam does believe pretty fervently in monoculturalism. Is education the answer?

Education is the answer in terms of integrating new immigrants over time. Its important that in a diverse society that there are common national goals and a sense of national identity and this cannot happen without integration. If you look at irish americans or any of the hyphenated groups they really have little in common with what they assert they are, at the end of the day they are american through and through.

[iceaura]

Yeah, but the depiction was of Mohammed as a terrorist. Thats what they think a terrorist looks like.

No.

In the first place, the "they" is bigotry.

In the second, it's how you might draw that cartoon of Mohammad to make that point.

It's like those Joker cartoons of Obama - they aren't likenesses. A turban makes a good bomb, is all. You'll see plenty of Danish cartoons of Mohammed wearing the more Arab looking stuff - and then sitting on a camel, or something like that.

I think we can all agree that having Arabic classes will only enhance mutual understanding.

I doubt that very much. But good luck to them - I don't think I've ever seen that kind of insularity produce greater mutual understanding, but there's always a first time.

[S.A.M.]

No it won't. Not if there are immigrants with attitudes like yours then it doesn't matter what the Danes do or do not do.

Thats what you believe. However, I have seen that association with Arabs tends to change their image in westerners. And learning a new language is good for any society. It helps them to think in new ways/

[mike47]

Integration in what sense ?.
Do they expect them to change their religion and their customs ?.
Of course not .
Education is necessary but not to kill my culture and nourish yours .

[Enmos]

And learning a new language is good for any society. It helps them to think in new ways/

But then the immigrants can't bitch about the western country they moved into anymore..

[Mrs.Lucysnow]

Thats what you believe. However, I have seen that association with Arabs tends to change their image in the west. And learning a new language is good for any society. It helps them to think in new ways/

This will not change the attitude of immigrants who refuse to integrate and accept the host nation's culture and ways. It only means Danes will have another language to the other three they already learn in school, a plus for the Danes but as I said its still up to the immigrants and not the host nation to make changes.

[S.A.M.]

But then the immigrants can't bitch about the western country they moved into anymore..

And the Danish can understand the people in the countries they invade.

[Mrs.Lucysnow]

And the Danish can understand the people in the countries they invade.

When will some of these immigrants try and learn the language of the nation they are living in I wonder?

[S.A.M.]

Maybe they won't and you'll have a bilingual nation, like Hispanic groups have created in the US.

Thats how languages and cultures survive and change.

[mike47]

But then the immigrants can't bitch about the western country they moved into anymore..

When Immigrants move to another country and make it a permanent home they become citizens of that country . So the government and its people should look at them as their owns and try to help them solve their problems . In multiculturalism societies millions of dollars are spent to help nurture the new citizens .

[Mrs.Lucysnow]

Maybe they won't and you'll have a bilingual nation, like Hispanic groups have created in the US.

No the Danes have already changed their ways in terms of immigrants who are a nuisance. Those who cannot integrate will simply have to leave and I think this is a good thing. What good would come from having people who mirror your bigoted ethnocentric attitude? None whatsoever as they can only bring division and animosity.

[S.A.M.]

Thats one way of looking at it. Another is that freedom of expression should be extended to people who wish to retain their culture and langguage. Its how Jews lived in India for 2000 years. Extending this kind of freedom generally encourages assimilation better than being aggressive against it.

[mike47]

This will not change the attitude of immigrants who refuse to integrate and accept the host nation's culture and ways. It only means Danes will have another language to the other three they already learn in school, a plus for the Danes but as I said its still up to the immigrants and not the host nation to make changes.

Do NOT expect immigrants to throw their religion, culture.....etc just to please you.

[Mrs.Lucysnow]

Thats one way of looking at it. Another is that freedom of expression should be extended to people who wish to retain their culture and langguage. Its how Jews lived in India for 2000 years.

Denmark isn't India. As far as the new rules are concerned it will take a long time before citizen is granted and they will have to integrate into Danish society in terms of language and understanding the values and lifestyle if they want to become Danish citizens.

[iceaura]

And learning a new language is good for any society. It helps them to think in new ways/

Danish society is not learning a new language, here. The question is whether the immigrants will use this situation to delay or deflect their own changes, and isolate themselves from Danish society. That's how it seems to work in other places - the English language schools in various countries, for visiting diplomats and executives, for example.

[S.A.M.]

If they don't like it, they will fight or move. Or assimilate. But I am glad the Danes are taking an initiative to assimilate.

Danish society is not learning a new language, here. The question is whether the immigrants will use this situation to delay or deflect their own changes, and isolate themselves from Danish society. That's how it seems to work in other places - the English language schools in various countries, for visiting diplomats and executives, for example.

I'd say Danish society has an opportunity to learn a new language here

A Copenhagen municipality is planning to introduce Arabic classes in all the capital’s schools

Its how I learned French.

[Mrs.Lucysnow]

If they don't like it, they will fight or move. Or assimilate. But I am glad the Danes are taking an initiative to assimilate.

Oh I get it, a few people come over with their chickens and its the Danes who have o assimilate towards them. It is this attitude that has brought the nationalist party into parliament in Denmark, congratulations.

What was it in that cartoon and the ticking time bomb?

[mike47]

Thats one way of looking at it. Another is that freedom of expression should be extended to people who wish to retain their culture and langguage. Its how Jews lived in India for 2000 years. Extending this kind of freedom generally encourages assimilation better than being aggressive against it.

The Jews are a huge success when it comes to keeping their language, religion, culture and unity .

[iceaura]

If they don't like it, they will fight or move. Or assimilate. But I am glad the Danes are taking an initiative to assimilate.

Assimilate? Looks more like acceptance of fragmentation and permanent "foreigner" status for the Arabic speakers.