If the recurrent language restrictions in Flanders were being imposed in a non-european country, protesters would already be camping in front of that country's embassies. Where is Europe going? (again?)
(see also easyexpat.blogexpat.com)
11.4.08
Flemish Apartheid
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4 comments:
There are many nations that impose some form of integration duty on new arrivals. The thing that sets belgium apart is that it is essentially two more or less balanced cultures in one nation.
As Flanders and Wallonia enjoy a form of autonomy, why wouldn't they be able to require an integration duty if outsiders wish to enjoy financial assistance paid for by the flemish/wallonian tax payer for people in their territory?
It's pretty far fetched to resort to holocaust/apartheid imagery over this.
I know it's far fetched, but I'm not talking about immigration, or the integration of immigrants. I'm talking about the message of hate visible in every street corner around Brussels, in every street name plate that used to be written both in Flemish and in French. I don't know which is worst for Europe and for the European idea, but the way things are I would prefer to witness the partition of Belgium, then to see it slowly rotten from the inside.
The way I see it, the problem is resumed in your first sentence:
"There are many nations that impose some form of integration duty on new arrivals. The thing that sets Belgium apart is that it is essentially two more or less balanced cultures in one nation."
You don't have one nation there, just one country with two nations.
And by the way, thanks for the comment and for reading me.
What message of hate in Brussels? Every streetboard is MANDATORY bilingual and nothing has changed.
You think the Walloons don't impose restrictions? You should inform yourself about the 'Flemish' School in Comines. Or about the non-application of linguistic laws by the Brussels municipalities, which infringes the rights of 'Flemings'.
Or perhaps the linguistic APARTHEID/Segregation in Sint-Lambrechts-Woluwe where there are 4 Youth Entertainment groups for French speaking kids and 1 for Dutch speaking kids. All seperated from each other.
Communication between governance and public is regulated by law. Nothing we did was against those laws.
>>reg said...: "What message of hate in Brussels? Every streetboard is MANDATORY bilingual and nothing has changed."
I was referring to VANDALISED street name plates (that can also be seen in Wallony, by the way).
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