Critical Reflection #1

Sociology: history and diversity

SOC 2114
Critical reflection #1



When analyzing the topics which were covered over the course of the class thus far such as diversity, inequality, nationalism and racism a particular group of people come into this context in the news today.


490 men, women, and children Tamil refugees from Shrilanka have come to the coast of Canada’s British Columbia seeking refugee status after traveling on the Sun Sea boat for 3 months. This arrival has raised a lot of questions and concerns about why they are here and how we are going to deal with this situation which is all related to diversity..

Many individuals are very against this arrival of the refugees, but today I am going to give my opinion on why I believe that they should be welcome. In 1976 when Canada passed the Immigration and Refugee protection act, there was supposed to be a certain amount of refugees let into the country each year. When the refugees would come to Canada there were many steps that had to be taken to ensure the legitimacy of the refugees and the safety of there people around them. This number is supposed to be around 1% of the Canadian population which is approximately 250,000-300,000 refugees that would come in under various statuses. To date we can account for taking in less than this number approx 210,000 a year (http://www.immigrationwatchcanada.org/). Though these numbers are lower than the quota which was announced many people are still concerned about their tax dollars and the amount of inconvenience that this may all cause. Quote from a BC man “They get immediately get health coverage, free meals and housing above and beyond what they have ever had. Meanwhile people who have paid taxes in this country wait for months to get surgery and some can't even find a family doctor” ( http://www.vancouversun.com/life/Tamils) . This statement is one which many people share. Canadians have been paying taxes and money our whole lives so we can benefit from things suck as our health care system. Though it may be upsetting when people who may not directly deserve these benefits as much as we believe that we do get them first or at a lower cost. We must think how our lives compare to there’s and how much better off we have always been, equality vs. inequality.

If you are a refugee you are given the luxury of your country giving you a passport or a traveling visa to leave your homeland, no, you don’t take an airplane either. These refugees were crammed like sardines into a boat for three months living in dirt and garbage. We as Canadians have always opened our arms to those who deserve it and Canada in a part of a number of conventions that allows refugees to come into the country and provide them with a chance so that they do not get prosecuted else where, but some do not agree.

The Tamils are not just roaming the streets as some may think. They have all been brought to holding facilities and jails in interior British Columbia where they await screening trials and decisions. This process may take time but at least things will be done right and if there are certain refugees that do not belong here than so be it but we must give a chance to the ones who deserve it. Legitimate refugees should be encouraged to come to Canada and live the life in which they were unable to in Shrilanka.

When speaking about the Canadian government not all members of parliament see eye to eye with what I and others think of the situation. Cabinet ministers have been speaking out with their “hard on crime” approach as of late, saying that some of these people may be terrorists and should not be here and not given a chance. In fact, with all the political scandals and elite-men taking hard-earned tax payers money, this is a perfect opportunity to blame our high unemployment rate and other economical flaws on these immigrants. This gives an easy and effective political opportunism if you ask me. Instead of all the bickering that is going on in the government we should be doing our best taking take care of this situation and fast and efficiently as possible so that we can focus our attention on things that should be of greater concern than 490 potential innocent people.