Newcomers

       As in Sweden, Germany is debating immigrant and refugee policies.  Here in the    streets of what was once walled-in East Berlin, demonstrations on behalf of Sea-Eye whose mission is to make ocean rescues of refugees…..as a humanitarian imperative, not a political statement.

It took us longer than a full week in Sweden before we had eaten what one might call a typical Swedish meal. Indian, Middle Eastern, Asian twice, “international,” but never a dinner with a classic Swedish theme and menu, whatever that means today, Never saw a meatball, for example.

Some on Sweden’s political right wing might say this is but one of many signs that Sweden is losing its national identity under the weight of hundreds of thousands more immigrants and refugees than the country can assimilate and an attitude predominant among the country’s liberal wing that a receiving country which restricts the numbers of newcomers, or requests their assimilation, is bigoted and intolerant.

If it ever was, Sweden is no longer a place where one sees only tall, blue-eyed blonds. It is, if not a melting pot, a full box of crayons. It is this way in both large cities and small towns.

All across Europe debate escalates regarding each country’s role and responsibility to provide a safe place and basic services to immigrants and refugees. Even those countries with the most accepting reputations and most generous support of the world’s displaced and persecuted people — countries like Sweden — are soul searching…..

……As we are in the USA, or should be, and with much more nuance of feeling and intellect than our current Administration demonstrates.

JER