Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Canadian Immigrants Forced to Watch Brokeback Mountain?

From a story in The Australian, Gay film to test Dutch migrants, it appears that the Dutch are trying to make sure that new immigrants can accept their 'liberal attitudes.'

Two men kissing in a park and a topless female bather are featured in a film that will be shown to would-be immigrants to The Netherlands.

The reactions of applicants will be examined to see whether they are able to accept the country's liberal attitudes.

....

Those sitting the test will be expected to know which country Crown Princess Maxima comes from (Argentina) and whether hitting women and female circumcision are permitted.

This film isn't supposed to portray the Dutch way of life, i.e., you don't have to kiss a member of the same sex or sunbath topless in order to immigrate there, you just can't start beating people who do this. What is interesting is that the Muslim community in the Netherlands seems to have a big problem with this.

Muslim leaders in Holland say the film is offensive.

"It really is a provocation aimed to limit immigration. It has nothing to do with the rights of homosexuals. Even Dutch people don't want to see that," said Abdou Menebhi, the Moroccan-born director of Emcemo, an organisation that helps immigrants to settle.

I think that if someone wants to immigrate to another country, they should be completely willing to accept the customs and attitudes of that country. They don't have to adopt these customs and attitudes; they just have to accept them and not lash out in a violent or demeaning way when they are confronted by them. If Muslims feel particularly slighted by this, then they should examine their own attitudes and prejudices before attempting to move to a country that has these attitudes and behaviors. Personally, I think that it is a very small portion of the Muslim community that has these violent reactions, but they are afforded every protection by a very activist community leadership which may have ulterior motives.

Should Canada start showing Brokeback Mountain in order to gauge the reaction of new Canadian applicants? I would have no problem with that, I'm just worried that there are a lot of Canadian citizens that would not pass that test either.

2 Comments:

Blogger Ian Hugh Clary said...

Question: if a lot of Canadian citizens wouldn't pass the test, then isn't that an indicator of Canadian values? It could be those who do watch BM with glee that maybe should get the boot.
Just following your logic is all.

1:30 PM  
Blogger "Expert" Tom said...

If you followed my logic, those who watched BM with glee would be perfectly fine as long as they didn't start bombing hetero night clubs or behead anyone who wouldn't kiss a member of the same sex. You can disagree with what our values are, but you can't get upset that we have them.

And my sarcastic comment is not an indicator of what Canadian values are. I think that most Canadians would agree that killing someone because they are gay or because they made fun of your religion is wrong, even if you don't like their religion or homosexuality.

Wow, have I really been that controversial the last few posts?

3:33 PM  

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