“NO Dammit! Fuck off! Bullshit! Shut up! Please no!” These are some of the responses at hearing the word ‘integration’ and they are no lie. To many these feelings arise at the mere sound of the word ‘integration’.
Having seen the responses and level of interest in this and similar matters, this article has been translated to English to allow a wider discussion of the matter. It has been translated as close as possible to its original version in Dutch. The counter article will be translated as well.
By Gök-E, posted 22 Feb. 2005.
“NO Dammit! Fuck off! Bullshit! Shut up! Please no!” These are some of the responses at hearing the word ‘integration’ and they are no lie. To many these feelings arise at the mere sound of the word ‘integration’.
Recently I have agreed to collaborate with a party enquiry, where I myself am also interviewed. Both Turkish and Dutch Party goers were interviewed.
One of the questions was: would you like to go once to a “Dutch party”?! “Of course”, I agreed, “if it’s a good party”. Other Turkish partygoers felt generally the same, positively open for such an evening, or something similar.
On the other hand however, I noticed, that in general, the Dutch partygoers answered ‘NO!’ to the question: would you like to go once to a Turkish party? The reason that they gave was that they weren’t fond of Turkish music.
This example illustrates perfectly why I, as an immigrant, have a problem with the integration syndrome. This syndrome is strengthened by similar experiences and really frustrates, particularly because it has become a one-way street; most Dutch people don’t even want to take a look on how things are on the “other side”.
Are they perhaps frightened from the unknown?
Or is it because Turkish Culture does not at all address them?
Maybe its because they’re not genuinely interested in any other culture besides their own culture?
The integration has failed, we often hear, and the blaming finger always points at the immigrants. Naturally Undeserved.
The people who find the integration has failed must point the finger at their own chest asking themselves, if the integration should not come from both sides.
I can find myself well in the multicultural society. I am capable of taking part in a “Dutch party” without being annoyed by music that is foreign to me.
The integration has certainly failed!
Would a “How to become a good Dutch citizen” (inburgeringcurs) workshop work for the Dutch?