Some people seem to have the idea that, if you are an immigrant, you should be grateful to your adoptive country & never criticise its government, politics or culture. As a Parsi, I'm familiar with this argument. How can I put this politely? It's bollocks. 1/
Everyone—immigrant or not—should strive to make their country a better place, in large ways or small. Some people will be mistaken over how that can be achieved; some will have bad or pernicious ideas. But the problem is the ideas, not the fact that they are immigrants. 2/
We can't have a two-tier system, in which some people can voice their criticisms freely & others can't because of a difference in where they were born. Outsiders can be more clear-sighted about a country's failings that those from the establishment. 3/
The people who live among you must be treated as your equals. Of course, they should try to be good citizens—because EVERYONE should. But they don't owe uncritical allegiance to any political leaning or aspect of national culture. 4/
Immigrants should not be above criticism. There are some very serious problems that are much more widespread in minority communities. Yes, I'm thinking of regressive Muslim practices in particular. But the problem with such practices is not that they're not "British." 5/
The problem is that some practices & beliefs are inherently misogynistic, homophobic, racist, etc. & are therefore inimical to human flourishing wherever they are found. But this doesn't mean that a first gen Muslim Brit can't also criticise what she sees as faulty. 6/
We need to assess each person's views on their own merits. Not on where they are from. Not on what other people who share their skin colour, country of origin, parentage etc. say or do. Not on their immigration status. 7/
Do immigrants owe gratitude to their host countries? Yes and no. Yes, because we ALL owe gratitude to the universe for the good fortune we have been granted. No because no one chooses her parentage or place of birth & in a truly just, an ideal world there would be no borders. 8/
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