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Shvoong Home>Arts & Humanities>for food and shelter; emigrate or die? Summary

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for food and shelter; emigrate or die?

Book Summary by: eyallow    

Original Author: Eyallow
  • Summary rating: 5 stars (3 Ratings)
  • Visits : 300
  • words:600 
  • Comments : 0

I was on BBC news online and a story headline captioned ‘Attacking Europe's border fences’ vividly
captured my attention. In this compassionate narration, the author traced a group of young Africans willing to face all the huddles and risk to cross to Europe by braving the treacherous 23 km stretch of the Mediterranean Sea waters that luxuriantly wash the shores of Spain in wealthy Europe and the shores of Morocco in poverty stricken Africa. Inhabitants of both shores are now accustomed to dead bodies of Africans being washed up upon their once beautiful shores now turned into a dead trap and burial ground for many.
these young people get drowned as they try to reach the coast of Spain (where it is believed that milk and honey is abound) in small boats usually overloaded or not fit to stand the strong currents of the Mediterranean sea. I can hardly imagine that a 23 km distance is the determining factor between wealth and poverty, between two continents so close but so different from each other. Between 2 continents one in which food is bountiful and one in which children die everyday from malnutrition, one in which life expectancy of its inhabitants towers by a factor of 2 above that of the other. One in which literacy rates of 100 % are a norm and one in which in some places less than 50 % of people can read or write. Sounds to me like the Mediterranean, represents the big chasm of death separating hell from Heaven indeed.

The quest for shelter and food is ancient. Early men sojourned the earth in search of basic comforts of life. Sailors braved the dangerous seas to conquer and explore exotic lands in quest of wealth. The Vikings were roving plunderers with intent to cease and accumulate wealth. Several million Europeans immigrated to America, some to South Africa, Kenya etc in a similar venture. Migration has therefore always been and is still a common phenomenon in all realms of living species. People, like birds and other animals migrate for several reasons. Today, the western nations are attractive destinations for people emigrating from poor countries. To get a clear view of the underpinning forces of immigration, in the early 20th century, Sweden one of the most prosperous and rich economies in the world today was one of the poorest and almost 1/4 of its population emigrated to the US to look for greener pastures.
I read everyday about how political leaders are looking for ways of curbing illegal immigration, Some countries are building walls several meters high, on the US/Mexico boarder, it is common to find several kilometres of barb wired fences manned by gun tooting guards. The solution to illegal immigration must be obvious even to the stupidest of all minds. Make the world a better and equal place for all. The ability to live a good life regardless of where one is located will harmonise human existence. I am looking forward to the day when one will fly to the horn of Africa and see all healthy and smiling kids. When one will stop in India, Bangladesh and places in South America and realise that they can live a long and fulfilling life as it is elsewhere in the developed nations. Then it will be time to start breaking down the high walls and fences we have built around ourselves in embarassment because no one will bother coming near them.
Published: July 22, 2006
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