[Goanet] NEIL RANGEL: ALTERNATIVE VIEW[Goanet-News] Rarely has the Goan Diaspora challenged the biased views of the mainstream media. (Dr Eddie D'Sa)
KINDLY PUBLISH MY ALTERNATIVE TAKE ON THIS SUBJECT THANK YOU NEIL DE JESUS RANGEL While I don’t have access to the original article that quoted Mr Andrew Green ; it seems that everyone has missed the point of this concerned British man. This issue may not be so much of xenophobia or British imperialism but rather of being overwhelmed by potentially culturally incompatible outsiders with another trait - dubious loyalty to their own passport-country Portugal. Why blame the British. They don’t want any more outsiders; just as much and the way regionalists in different regions within India don’t like outsiders from other states coming in and settling down. Goa is no exception; no marks for guessing the most derogatory term used by Goans for the outsiders from other states. While the historical facts are correct that Goa is indeed an annexed Portuguese territory; the fact remains that a reasonable number are abusing the facility of Portuguese citizenship. Does anyone have statistics of how many Goans who gain Portuguese citizenship, actually settle down in Portugal and contribute to the economy of that country. If wanting to settle down in the UK or any EU country by using their Portuguese passports is what they want; then the intention is clearly malafide and an abuse. There could be a large number of those who are abusing the new gotten Portuguese passport just for their own convenience and economic interests, have never been to Portugal and couldn’t care less about or have any loyalty to that nation. I suppose this is the real issue.Although it must be said that Goan Catholics easily integrate into Western societies quickly because of their Portuguese cultural heritage. The other issue: why on earth do many Goans want a Portuguese passport. Can't they just retain their Indian passports. They don't necessarily have to work in Goa or in India. They can depend upon their own skills and qualifications to further their own interests, wherever in the world, like many of us do.. On Mon, 2/9/13, Goanet Reader goanetrea...@gmail.com wrote: Subject: [Goanet-News] Rarely has the Goan Diaspora challenged the biased views of the mainstream media. (Dr Eddie D'Sa) To: Goa's premiere mailing list, estb. 1994! goanet@lists.goanet.org Date: Monday, 2 September, 2013, 3:34 AM By Dr. Eddie D'Sa gdig...@btinternet.com Benedito Ferrao and Jason Fernandes[1] deserve all praise for a fitting and timely response to the allegations made by Andrew Green, chair of Migration Watch. They have stated their case persuasively and in clear and crisp academic prose -- rare among Goan writers. [The subject title may be a bit misleading though: if Goans are Portuguese, they are so only by virtue of citizenship (passport), not ethnicity. Right?] Sir Andrew, a former ambassador to Saudi Arabia, is the favoured migration expert for the Tories who quote copiously from his reports and pronouncements. He belongs to that select band of Little Englanders and Empire cheerleaders who have never come to terms with the loss of Empire and with subsequent presence of black and Asian migrants in the 'green and pleasant land'. * As for the media, the tabloids (Daily Mail, Express, Star, Sun), all owned by Rightwing billionaires, are generally, and often virulently, anti-immigration and anti-asylum. They have often made biased and inflammatory statements knowing well they can get away with it. In fact, the government (especially Downing Street and the Home Office) is said to be in thrall to the tabloids and reportedly used them from to time as conduits for leaks of harsh laws in the pipeline. [See APPENDIX for more on the tabloids.] * Ferrao and Fernandes write: As Goan academics, there is a need to redress such misrepresentations and firmly call out the Anglo-centric interpretation of colonialism... I heartily agree. Unfortunately, for too long, the Goan community, and even the elites, do not have the intellectual resources to confront the mainstream media and present their own case. They have sought safety in their feasts, religious rituals, community celebrations with song and dance * Rarely has the Goan Diaspora challenged the biased views put forward by the mainstream media. Mind you, if they did write and state their side of the argument to a mainstream paper, the letter would probably be binned. The media cling to the official view and allow no contrary position in general. There are no wide circulation Leftwing papers in Britain for an alternative perspectives. They will fail to
Re: [Goanet] NEIL RANGEL: ALTERNATIVE VIEW[Goanet-News] Rarely has the Goan Diaspora challenged the biased views of the mainstream media. (Dr Eddie D'Sa)
-Original Message- From: neil rangel While I don’t have access to the original article that quoted Mr Andrew Green ; it seems that everyone has missed the point of this concerned British man. Response: Goan Voice carried a report on 13 May 2013 with links to: 1. The Daily Star article 2. The Daily Mail article 3. The 441 comments made by readers in the Daily Mail website 4. A video clip of the immigration debate between Sir Andrew Green and Keith Vaz 5. The statement made in the House of Commons ten years ago regarding Goans with Portuguese nationality entering the UK Go to http://www.goanvoice.org.uk/printerfile.php?link=2013-05-13 And congratulations to Bene and Jason for the judicious response. Eddie Fernandes www.goanvoice.org.uk
Re: [Goanet] NEIL RANGEL: ALTERNATIVE VIEW[Goanet-News] Rarely has the Goan Diaspora challenged the biased views of the mainstream media. (Dr Eddie D'Sa)
Dear Neil, First of all, I'd like to thank you for your presentation. I also enjoyed reading from Jason and Eddie D'Sa Two preliminary comments: a: It is nicely written b: Always a pleasure to read from newer and younger minds. May more flow from your e-pen. Allow me, however, to suggest where I might differ from your presentation and your quasi-defence of Mr. Green: Neil 1: This issue may not be so much of xenophobia or British imperialism but rather of being overwhelmed by potentially culturally incompatible outsiders with another trait - dubious loyalty to their own passport-country Portugal jc1: (a) When one considers the total population of the UK, is the number of the Portuguese Goans overwhelming? (b) How do we know that these Goans have dubious loyalty towards Portugal? (c) Are ALL the British loyal to Britain? Are ALL Indian citizens loyal to India? How does one quantify Loyalty? == Neil 2: Why blame the British. They don’t want any more outsiders; just as much and the way regionalists in different regions within India don’t like outsiders from other states coming in and settling down. jc 2: One can understand the distrust one might have of folks who are different. That is normal human behaviour. However, Britain has a CHOICE if it does not want any more Euro-outsiders to settle in Britain. It has only to walk out of the European Union. Let's remember: Britain is not one of the founder members of the EU-precursor. It joined Europe in 1973 and even had a referendum in 1975 to stay in Europe. BUT, it can still walk out. == Neil 3: Goa is no exception jc 3: Perhaps. But Goa's case is diametrically opposite when compared to Britain's (a) Goa did not sign up to join anybody (like Britain did) (b) The Goans migrating to Britain: Population of Britain ratio is vastly different from the ratio of Migrants entering Goa:Population of Goa. (c) To the best of my knowledge, Goans are NOT squatting and filthifying Britain. Can one say the same about the migrants entering daily into Goa? (d) Britain has the option of walking out of Europe. Does Goa have that option of walking out of India? == Neil 4: If wanting to settle down in the UK or any EU country by using their Portuguese passports is what they want; then the intention is clearly malafide and an abuse. jc 4: You might be confusing nationality with just passports. The fact is that Goans are entitled to their Portuguese citizenship - as a right. And as Portuguese citizens, they have certain rights including Free Movement within Europe and Visa waivers to many countries incl US, Canada and Australia. Where is the 'malafide and abuse'? As I said before: ALL Britain or any other country has to do is Leave Europe or Cancel bilateral agreements. == Neil 5: why on earth do many Goans want a Portuguese passport. Can't they just retain their Indian passports. They don't necessarily have to work in Goa or in India. They can depend upon their own skills and qualifications to further their own interests, wherever in the world, like many of us do.. jc 5: I cannot answer for others. I personally believe that every adult has a right to chart his or her own course. As long as they do not harm another by charting that course, I support their right to exercise their free will. There are many who just might suggest that we should all live at home (in our parental home) and also help the poor in our villages + work in the rice fields instead of working in offices here and there. I remind myself that NOT every one who retains/regains/reaffirms Portuguese nationality, does so for the purpose of benefits or jobs etc. In general: there are many (non-financial) reasons why an individual decides to give up a particular citizenship and opt for another. They are probably similar to the reasons why others decide NOT to give up a particular citizenship Thanks for an interesting post. It certainly helped me say my piece on the matter. jc
