Merkel says multi-culturalism has absolutely failed in Germany

jbg · October 19, 2010

They also have a guest worker program. So, people either have the choice of giving up their heritage or coming for only a short period of time to make money while making no connection to their new community. It's an immigration policy, but to call it muti-cultural in the first place is, in my opinion, wrong.

Maybe the "guests" decided to stay, but not "Germinate" themselves.

Pliny · October 19, 2010

Multi-culturalism is a failure in Germany and a failure in Canada. The Federal government should just close down the Department of Multi-Culturalism.

Bonam · October 19, 2010

I like this, although I doubt the emphasis on government's responsibilities is the final say. Here is the true melting pot:

While dropping my kid off at school at lunch, I saw this young South Asian lad attired in what looked to be traditional clothing. It looked nice, all lose and light. Ideal for a tropical climate. But it won't wear well in the winter that's for sure.

We are northern people and sooner or later one must adapt or plan to spend the rest of their life indoors. Our climate - ironically the freezing months - do more for the 'melting pot' than any government narrative is going to. On top of that - where does one go to buy suitable clothing? Well, welcome to The Bay, Sears, Walmart, Zellers... It might be a pretty Sari under that parka, but make no mistake - it is a nice warm parka that overrules it all. And usually mitts or gloves, toques, warm socks... all this stuff has been designed for the climate.

OK, maybe I am emphasising climate too much as a determinant factor of assimilation and acculturation, but it can't be ignored. And as a northern people winter looms large here, we play in it, write about it, walk about in it, bitch about it and generally make do. And we certainly dress for it.

What you are emphasizing too much is what someone wears. So they go out and buy a winter jacket and some gloves... how does that make them assimilated or Canadian exactly? Oh and going to Sears is hardly an assimilating experience, particularly when the other people there, and the cashiers, are also mostly immigrants that have not yet assimilated.

DogOnPorch · October 19, 2010

Multiculturalism...

http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/news-nouvelles/fallen-disparus/index-eng.asp

Bonam · October 19, 2010

Multiculturalism...

http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/news-nouvelles/fallen-disparus/index-eng.asp

Dude there's a black guy on there. Clearly very multicultural!

Saipan · October 19, 2010

Chinese is a "failed" culture? Oh my...

Very much so. It's why they traditionally leaving China. For better life elsewhere. There are Chinese emigrant even in countries like Honduras, not to mention better countries like Thailand.

jbg · October 19, 2010

Very much so. It's why they traditionally leaving China. For better life elsewhere. There are Chinese emigrant even in countries like Honduras, not to mention better countries like Thailand.

And not to mention even some mediocre countries like Indonesia.

Of course, there are large numbers of people clamoring to leave the U.S., Canada and Australia for China. </sarcasm>

Shwa · October 19, 2010

Very much so. It's why they traditionally leaving China. For better life elsewhere. There are Chinese emigrant even in countries like Honduras, not to mention better countries like Thailand.

And yet the billion of them or so who stayed home - the ones currently dominating the world's economy - are enjoying their thousands of year old culture.

Heck even Americans emigrate, even to Honduras. Duh.

nicky10013 · October 19, 2010

And not to mention even some mediocre countries like Indonesia.

Of course, there are large numbers of people clamoring to leave the U.S., Canada and Australia for China. </sarcasm>

Unfortunately for your sarcasm, you're actually right on the last point. A lot of Chinese people who immigrated here are going back simply because the opportunity is much better over there than here. A lot of non-Chinese people are moving from here to China and even India as well. Lots of foreign companies operate overseas.

nicky10013 · October 19, 2010

Multi-culturalism is a failure in Germany and a failure in Canada. The Federal government should just close down the Department of Multi-Culturalism.

You clearly have proof...funny, don't see it anywhere in your post, though!

Jack Weber · October 19, 2010

Five to six thousand Chinese coal miners die per year...that's incredible.

Talk about a segment of Chinese industry ripe for organization and representation...

Saipan · October 19, 2010

And yet the billion of them or so who stayed home - the ones currently dominating the world's economy - are enjoying their thousands of year old culture.

They are "dominating the world's economy" because the western companies gave them the means and jobs.

Same as horses were "dominating" the farming production.

Heck even Americans emigrate, even to Honduras. Duh.

You've seen Americans settling in Honduras? Where exactly was it?

I've seen lot of Americans and Europeans living in Thailand but they keep their citizenship. Not in Honduras.

Sir Bandelot · October 19, 2010

Given almost all our immigrants come from failed cultures I fail to see what we can learn from them - other than how to abandon our failed cultures for a better life elsewhere.

We need to have people that live at all levels of a society, to provide all the necessary functions. We can't all be doctors, lawyers and entrepreneurs. At the end of the day, someone has to mop the floor and clean the john.

waldo · October 19, 2010

Given almost all our immigrants come from failed cultures I fail to see what we can learn from them - other than how to abandon our failed cultures for a better life elsewhere.

Canadian multi-culturalism on display... please ignore those exploding head reactions to Calgary's mayoralty election results. From the center of the western Canadian, right-wing Conservative base, we give you Naheed Nenshi... the son of an immigrant family, an ethnic minority, non-white, an academic, left leaning... and... Canada's first Muslim mayor. Oh my!

A grassroots campaign driven by volunteers has delivered Canada its first Muslim mayor – Mr. Nenshi, who scored a staggering win in Calgary’s mayor’s race Monday.
He defeated two better-funded candidates, including one backed by Stephen Harper’s campaign team, and saw his support surge in the final few weeks. He survived a smear campaign and a telephone failure in the crucial final hours, before running away with what was to be a close vote. His campaign was branded the “Purple Revolution,” named for his campaign colour and one driven by a broad demographic that included strong youth support.

Shwa · October 19, 2010

They are "dominating the world's economy" because the western companies gave them the means and jobs. Same as horses were "dominating" the farming production.

But they are still dominating the world's economy right? :blink:

You've seen Americans settling in Honduras? Where exactly was it?
I've seen lot of Americans and Europeans living in Thailand but they keep their citizenship. Not in Honduras.

I am sure if you do a little search on Google you can derive independent information.

Michael Hardner · October 19, 2010

Canadian multi-culturalism on display... please ignore those exploding head reactions to Calgary's mayoralty election results. From the center of the western Canadian, right-wing Conservative base, we give you Naheed Nenshi... the son of an immigrant family, an ethnic minority, non-white, an academic, left leaning... and... Canada's first Muslim mayor. Oh my!

Nice ! I hadn't heard of this. Good for you, Calgary.

Saipan · October 19, 2010

lot of non-Chinese people are moving from here to China and even India as well. Lots of foreign companies operate overseas.

Operating and living as citizen are two VERY diffrent things.

Saipan · October 19, 2010

But they are still dominating the world's economy right?

Nope. They are totally dependent on North America and Europe. It's where the money comes from.

I am sure if you do a little search on Google you can derive independent information.

I don't have to. I was there and got married there.

Shwa · October 19, 2010

Nope. They are totally dependent on North America and Europe. It's where the money comes from.

Right. Of course that includes all the North American and European markets too.

I don't have to. I was there and got married there.

Where did you learn English? Specifically the phrase "independent information." That doesn't mean I wanted to know about your spouse...

Jerry J. Fortin · October 19, 2010

Nice ! I hadn't heard of this. Good for you, Calgary.

I would have bet against it myself. On the other hand it tells you how much money is in that ethnic community in the land of the "red neck".................this is only the beginning folks. Those folks ALWAYS vote when they get the chance.

William Ashley · October 19, 2010

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/10/17/germany.merkel.multiculturalism/index.html?hpt=T2

MOVE TO INTERNATIONAL POLITICS PLEASE.

nicky10013 · October 19, 2010

Operating and living as citizen are two VERY diffrent things.

When they move back to China, what's the difference? When I was in university I worked at a pizza restaurant. The owners packed up and went back to Hong Kong. Better opportunities. This by the way isn't a new story. Many people have gone back. Try to distinguish it as different as you like, but it's still happening none-the-less.