Reflection...

In looking back over my journey through this blogging assignment, I was very surprised in the beginning to see how unwelcoming Canada is, or is becoming, to immigrants and refugees. I had always heard wonderful things about the policies and practices that Canada had towards newcomers. We are known for our diversity, our multiculturalism and our welcoming nature. I then discovered, through reading journals and articles, that it is not quite so picture-perfect as it seems. Once I reached this conclusion, I did my first two blogs on how little we've changed in five hundred years in how unwelcoming we are, and how poorly we treat some people viewed as inferior.

Perhaps the thing that stands out the most, however, is that it is only too easy to see all these negative things that Canada is doing in it's reception of immigrants and refugees. Yes, there are unjust policies that have been or are being put in place regarding newcomers. And yes, we are becoming very neo-conservative with our welfare system. My first two blogs spoke of the prejudices and unfair treatment of refugees.

However, it takes a lot more determination to find positive actions towards immigrants and refugees. My last two blogs, the ones about the World University Service of Canada, and the Office for Refugees, Archdiocese of Toronto, were very encouraging. They showed what a massive difference that individuals, who join together to support a common cause, can make. I know that I would like to be more involved with these initiatives. These undertakings support a more socially democratic or socialist viewpoint on how we should be treating immigrants and refugees. 

One aspect of the blogging assignment I really appreciated was that we got to read and comment on several other blogs. This was very interesting, finding out what people are passionate about and getting into discussions regarding various social issues. It was a very stretching, informative experience. My thanks to everyone for making this a valuble assignment.

-Selina