John Coopey

THE LADDER

Saturday 11th December 2021 12:34 pm

I watched a recent programme on Nazi Germany. It made the point that the persecution of the Jews started (and always starts) with language.

You approach The Ladder.

Your neighbour stands on the first rung. “They don’t belong here”, he says.

“I’ve nothing against genuine refugees but these are just economic migrants”.

On the rung above a man is saying, “We should send them back. They are spongers”.

Above him a young woman is watching the news. An item about a guide dog ends and is followed by pictures of bodies on a beach.

The story loses her interest.

On the 4th rung small boys are taunting another in a playground. “Terrorist. Taliban Terrorist pig”, they call him.

Higher still youths are calling out “Lice” “ Vermin” “Untermensch”.

They all started on the first rung.

🌷 (5)

◄ COME ON OVER TO MY PLACE

SCARBADOS ►

Comments

kJ Walker

Tue 14th Dec 2021 17:12

John.
Sadly, we are all somewhere on that ladder. I like to think of myself as being politically correct, but I'm sure that I'm on the ladder somewhere. (Hopefully towards the bottom)

John Coopey

Mon 13th Dec 2021 20:25

How does that square with all the vacancies in haulage, hospitality and retail, MC?
In any event, while ever we have the quality of life we have and they don’t, they will continue to come. And in increasing numbers.
So what do you suggest we do about it? 2nd rung?

M.C. Newberry

Mon 13th Dec 2021 18:58

There is also the suspicion that will not go away - that we are
now vastly over-populated for the size of the UK (France, for example, is nearly 3 times greater in land mass with a similar level of population) and that we are being "targeted" as a
country of convenience, with no mind to long-held customs,
social/religious history or indeed our laws. Check the huge
rise in all major crimes here in London during recent years, and
the parallel involvement of those who originate from outside these shores. Debates don't seem to suit certain mindsets who
find it easier to cast aspersions on the character of one of the
most tolerant and long-suffering peoples anywhere in this
world. But debates are vital for making sense of what is
happening and why - and how to deal with it.

John Coopey

Mon 13th Dec 2021 10:42

We’ll all be housing them in our streets, Leon. Or else we “concentrate” them out of site.
You’re right to some extent, Greg. But I think also there was a positive spin-off to Imperialism (cue left wing outrage) that there was a moral obligation on the “mother country” eg Ugandan Asians, Hong Kongers, even to some degree, Windrush.
And we were more neighbourly.
The bottom line is that it won’t go away.
In truth, I don’t know what the answer is; but I know what the problem is.
And thanks for the Like, Moonlight.

Greg Freeman

Mon 13th Dec 2021 10:22

In the past we did not have tabloid newspapers inciting the British public to hate all newcomers. Or indeed social media. Those two pernicious influences have made quite a difference today.

<Deleted User> (30611)

Mon 13th Dec 2021 10:00

You'll be housing a few in your boat then John!

John Coopey

Mon 13th Dec 2021 08:36

I think welcoming goes beyond paying off a debt, Leon.
And, make no mistake, this is a trickle compared with the tsunami of immigration we more privileged nations will see when climate change renders many parts of the world uninhabitable through rising sea levels, desertification.

<Deleted User> (30611)

Sun 12th Dec 2021 23:25

I get the point of this piece John, who wouldn't? But my feeling is that folk generally in the UK are reasonable and though they may get to rung 1 possibly 2, they don't go beyond it. Obviously there are extremists...there are on both sides.

There has been widespread acceptance of those Afghanis who worked with our forces out there, as there was with Gurkhas a few years back. We know a worthy cause when we see one.

John Coopey

Sun 12th Dec 2021 19:18

Thanks for your thoughts, all.
I suspect we were more welcoming in the past, MC, because we had a greater sense of injustice and a will to address it.
We should all ask ourselves “Which ring of the ladder do I stand on?”

M.C. Newberry

Sun 12th Dec 2021 16:21

JC - if "we are far less welcoming of refugees than we once were"
it begs the question why? To borrow from Harold Macmillan -
"events" perhaps - and the manipulation of language.

Stephen Gospage

Sun 12th Dec 2021 16:04

This hierarchy of abuse and persecution is fascinating, John. It is frightening how whole populations can turn against minorities, even ones which are apparently well 'integrated' in society. Witness the acts of violence against Italian shopkeepers and café owners in the UK at the start of WW2 or the mistreatment of Asian Americans at the start of the Covid crisis.

Greg Freeman

Sun 12th Dec 2021 11:25

Keep making these points, JC. Most people's ignorance of modern history is breathtaking.

John Botterill

Sun 12th Dec 2021 11:24

We never seem to learn the lessons of history until it is too late,, John I like the metaphor but the implications are scary.
We all all need to stop scapegoating the weak and vulnerable.
Thanks John.
John Botterill

John Coopey

Sat 11th Dec 2021 19:33

I’m afraid we are far less welcoming of refugees than we once were, MC.
Thanks for the Like, Stephen, Holden and Pete.

M.C. Newberry

Sat 11th Dec 2021 14:23

The analogy reaches numerous countries in history. The Nazi
scenario arose when financial hardships after a disastrous
WW1 defeat saw political extremists looking for scapegoats
to boost policies aimed at securing long-term power. In Russia, the pogroms had targeted the Jewish population to
such a degree that America saw a marked influx via Ellis Island
that brought much to enrich the country as those grateful
arrivals determined to integrate and contribute. These words
were vital in the assimilation that was required. From a
personal perspective, a very obvious example of its
success was Izzy Baline who became Irving Berlin, Wish
we could think a similar story could emerge here now but the
signs aren't too hopeful on current evidence..

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