Seeking Refuge (Assessment)

Photo taken by Takver on July 27, 2013

Dear Denmark,

Yesterday I flipped open the news to see this article in the newspaper. I was shocked to find that there are those who live in your wonderful land who oppose the welcoming of refugees and those seeking asylum. Just last year, you accepted the sixth higher number of asylum seekers in the EU! But has it all changed? Martin Henriksen, leader of the Danish People’s Party said that he would like to see “no refugees whatsoever”. And the leaders from the Liberal Alliance say that “refugees... should be turned around at the airport”. In 2014, approximately 20,000 refugees arrived in your country. The statisticians say that soon, the number may increase to 50,000. What will happen to these 50,000 people if they are rejected at your borders?  How could you turn away those in conflict, those in need?

I guess coming from a multicultural city like Melbourne has deeply influenced my point of view. I’m so used to seeing people of every race and gender, speaking different languages, eating different foods. It makes some question what it means to be Australian, nervous that this will dilute their own distinct culture. But I think it teaches us to embrace one another, to learn about societies and ways of life so unlike our own. To become more open-minded. More accepting.

I’d like to travel to a Denmark that is full of Danes, whether they have ancestors from Denmark or from Syria. I’d like to hope that those that I meet are welcoming and friendly towards me no matter what my race is. Perhaps this recent revelation will deter tourists. Or perhaps some tourists like the idea that Denmark is the picture of Nordic bliss that they’ve always imagined? Either way, I know that you Denmark must adapt to a world that is constantly ever changing and that it is humanity that binds us all as one world.

Much love,

Helen