Asylum Seekers
Asylum Seekers- creating compassion, forming fear and arising anger
As a result of the substantial 17,202 boat arrivals on Australian shores in 2012, it’s clear that the issue of Asylum Seekers isn’t something that can be taken lightly; in fact this one issue has polarised the entire nation of Australia. Those seeking asylum are desperately fleeing from a country of fear, conflict and trauma in search of a new life however the recent influx and the extensive numbers of arrivals call for a strong commitment from Australians; when is it too much… when is it ok to say no…will it benefit or be a detriment to society? These controversial questions are a hot topic for the whole population and have developed contrasting attitudes of compassion, fear and anger in a heated societal debate and have challenged the myth of a pluralistic multicultural Australia.
Many members of Australian society display culturally relative beliefs and embrace compassionate humanitarian attitudes towards the issue of asylum seekers. Unsurprisingly, most people passionately posed towards this pluralistic attitude have a much greater understanding and concern for the experiences of individual asylum seekers rather than the demands it imposes on the economy and pressure it places on pre-existing laws. A satirical article written by Benjamin Law supports and shapes the humanitarian values by highlighting the traumatic experiences people seeking asylum face and as a result triggering emotional responses: “The way they harp on about it, you’d think it was a matter of life or death…We must avoid listening to their stories of rape and famine, murdered siblings and starved children.” (Source F) Statements such as these significantly contribute to humanitarian views of the debate as it promotes the resettlement of asylum seekers in Australia. Moreover, being classed as a first world country, Australia is seen as an ideal place for resettlement of these desperate and traumatised human beings. Not only
As a result of the substantial 17,202 boat arrivals on Australian shores in 2012, it’s clear that the issue of Asylum Seekers isn’t something that can be taken lightly; in fact this one issue has polarised the entire nation of Australia. Those seeking asylum are desperately fleeing from a country of fear, conflict and trauma in search of a new life however the recent influx and the extensive numbers of arrivals call for a strong commitment from Australians; when is it too much… when is it ok to say no…will it benefit or be a detriment to society? These controversial questions are a hot topic for the whole population and have developed contrasting attitudes of compassion, fear and anger in a heated societal debate and have challenged the myth of a pluralistic multicultural Australia.
Many members of Australian society display culturally relative beliefs and embrace compassionate humanitarian attitudes towards the issue of asylum seekers. Unsurprisingly, most people passionately posed towards this pluralistic attitude have a much greater understanding and concern for the experiences of individual asylum seekers rather than the demands it imposes on the economy and pressure it places on pre-existing laws. A satirical article written by Benjamin Law supports and shapes the humanitarian values by highlighting the traumatic experiences people seeking asylum face and as a result triggering emotional responses: “The way they harp on about it, you’d think it was a matter of life or death…We must avoid listening to their stories of rape and famine, murdered siblings and starved children.” (Source F) Statements such as these significantly contribute to humanitarian views of the debate as it promotes the resettlement of asylum seekers in Australia. Moreover, being classed as a first world country, Australia is seen as an ideal place for resettlement of these desperate and traumatised human beings. Not only