Belonging

Assorted Thoughts on Citizenship and Migration, and the Language Thereof

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Ecologists often talk about species that are ‘native’ vs those that are ‘non-native’, ‘exotic’, ‘introduced’, or ‘alien’. The distinction ecologists are trying to make is between those species that occur in a place ‘naturally’ vs those that only occur in a place due to human action (accidental or intentional). Ecologists often talk about non-native species in a negative way – as if they don’t belong, need to be eradicated, etc – especially when paired with terms like ‘invasive’ and ‘weedy’.

A recent article examines these and other ecological terms in our broader political and cultural context, and suggests that ecologists consider alternative terms. The authors demonstrate that ecologists have often adopted the language of human structures and institutions to describe assorted non-human phenomena, and that this language often comes with historical baggage and/or connotations (sometimes subtle, sometimes blatant) in the present context that perpetuate and/or rely on stereotypes and discriminatory perspectives.

For example, the ecological terminology noted above has its roots in the terms and concepts of migration and citizenship. Are the human – and particularly the western – concepts of migration and citizenship in nation states helpful in the context of ecology? The article includes some potential alternatives: ‘non-Indigenous’, ‘non-endemic’, ‘newly arrived’.

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During World War II, Canada classified Canadians of Japanese descent as “enemy aliens”, stripped them of their homes and businesses, and sent them to internment camps.

Canadians of German and Italian descent didn’t receive such treatment.

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Canada recently reduced the number of immigrants it’s willing to accept. The integration of refugees in Europe is the source of political tension, and Donald Trump has made a political career by emphasizing border security and citizenship.

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Why are there so many people so desperate to leave homes and families and undertake a perilous journeys for a mere chance to have something better? How desperate would I have to be to do this? What would make me that desperate?

Why do we in countries that typically receive many migrants so often respond with an attitude of scarcity (“They’re taking our jobs! They’re using our healthcare system!”) rather than abundance (“We have plenty, have some of ours.”), or at least humanitarian concern? Why does the conversation focus on migrants being a problem to be dealt with, rather than people needing help?

Compare:

‘How can we stop them from coming?’ with ‘How can we help them?’

‘What’s wrong with them?’ with ‘What’s wrong with our societal systems that keep driving so many people to desperation?’

Should we prioritize our ‘national interest’ over a humanitarian response? The political over the personal?

What is an appropriate response to such desperation? How did we get to a place where even today, in the world’s most powerful and wealthiest country, walls, armies, cages, camps, and mass deportation are considered solutions to the ‘problem’ of migration?

Am I too soft, a bleeding heart liberal, unrealistic? Do I need to be more pragmatic and hard-nosed?

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“No, they’re not humans, they’re not humans, they’re animals.”
Donald Trump, referring to migrants illegally entering the US

Cockroaches, snakes – terms used to describe Tutsis by Hutu genocidaires in the lead-up to the Rwandan genocide

Rats, lice, cockroaches, foxes, vultures – Nazi characterizations of Jews in the lead-up to the Holocaust

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“The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.” Leviticus 19:34

“When they were few in number, of little account, and strangers in the land, wandering from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people, he allowed no one to oppress them; he rebuked kings on their account, saying, ‘Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm.” 1 Chronicles 16:19-22

“You shall allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for the aliens who reside among you and have begotten children among you. They shall be to you as citizens of Israel; with you they shall be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel.” Ezekiel 47:22

“Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.” Romans 12:13

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I haven’t had to flee my home under threat of my life.

My family doesn’t live in fear of deportation.

No one has ever told me to “Go back where you came from” or told me I didn’t belong here.

I haven’t had my children torn from my arms by government agents.

That I can only imagine what it’s like to experience these things is an unearned luxury.

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“An infection that needs to be cut out of the body.”

“It violates the church like a rapist violates a woman.”

How some have characterized my congregation because we chose to welcome all regardless of sexuality or gender identity.

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Why do we so often default to framing things with the binary us/them?

Who belongs? Who is in and who is out? Who is one of ‘us’ and who isn’t? Who is introduced and needs to be eradicated?

Are there other ways to think about this?

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“I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” Jesus