Author: Anushka Asthana
Date: 20 March 2005
Source: The Observer
Immigrants are 'pouring in from every port,' said the Daily Mail. One million are 'ready to swamp the West,' it warned. The 'scum of the earth,' said the Dover Express, while the Star claimed the 'flood is sinking Britain'. The language is the same but the times and the targets could not be more different, from newspapers' coverage of Jewish immigrants arriving in Britain in 1938 to Somali and Iraqi asylum seekers today.
Little has changed in half a century in the way some politicians and parts of the press have talked about immigrants, says Sir Trevor McDonald. He will speak on the subject when he opens an exhibition this week to mark 100 years since the first piece of legislation to restrict immigration into Britain. It is 'fascinating' how in 'changing political and economic circumstances the same arguments and even language' is used, he said.
'Closing the door?' will open at the Jewish museum in Camden, north London, on Tuesday and will display images, texts and objects illustrating the persistent prejudice and the benefits of immigration.The exhibition will display many so-called British traditions such as the Morris Minor and the Mini, designed by Greek refugee Alec Issigonis.
'Meals on wheels was pioneered by an Indian doctor in Battersea,' said curator Sarah Jillings. 'Fried fish was a Jewish tradition and chips came from Ireland. The exhibition will show how immigrants over the years have opened up society in many ways.' She said the 1905 Aliens Act 'marked an important shift in how governments thought about immigration'. It was the first time, said Jillings, that 'they were presenting it as a problem'.
Many organisations remain concerned about the language the media and politicians continue to use. 'Not only is it unwelcoming but it is incredibly hurtful,' said Maeve Sherlock, chief executive of the Refugee Council. 'The fact that the language has not changed substantially for decades is very telling. We take a tiny proportion of refugees - about 2 per cent.'
Sherlock said that a recent Mori poll showed that people believe Britain takes 23 per cent of refugees. 'Seventy per cent of refugees go to the developing world. Why should they keep their doors open if Britain, one of the largest economies in the world, won't even do its tiny bit?'
Sherlock said that the 1951 Refugee Convention was put in place because 'to our shame' we turned away many Jews fleeing Nazi Germany. 'For the first time a major political party (the Conservatives) is seriously suggesting withdrawing from the convention.'
For the full story, go to A migrant invented the Mini - but he still seems like a foreigner
For some real-life experiences of today's migrants and refugees, go to My life as an immigrant
Links and further information:
The Refugee Council has produced a free Pocket Guide to Asylum for the General Election, Tell it Like It Is: The Truth About Asylum. This link allows you to download a pdf of the guide in English and Welsh and also analyses some of the current press myths about asylum seekers and refugees.
Closing the Door? Immigrants to Britain 1905-2005 is on at the Jewish Museum, Camden town. The exhibition is also supported by a series of lectures and events through May and June, including a discussion on the Refugee Experience now and in the past. One of the speakers is Fazil Kawani, who arrived as a refugee from Iraq and is now Director of Special Projects. This event is co-organised by the Jewish Museum and the Refugee Council.
