Migrant Justice Visual Essay

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MIGRANT JUSTICE “T

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Brandon Bernard, Jercy David, Meaghan Harris, Vanessa Hussey

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Intro

For our topic, Migrant Justice, we are interested in several aspects that affect issues surrounding migration.

In particular, we are interested in how xenophobia plagues the perspective between migrants, specifically because of how Islamic people are treated. Migrants leave their respective countries to to better themselves. However, their expectations arriving in foreign countries are drastically the opposite of what they initially thought. One of those causes is how the citizens in that country treat migrants because of their race, religion, different values, and morals. This type of behaviour can cause a never ending cycle of chaos and conflict (2015 Paris Attack, ISIS, etc).

Another reason is how migrants are given restrictions when they arrive in a different nation. Migrants do not have the best experience when entering a new country. They are given little time to stay, have to find a job on their own, and go through several tests to allow them to stay longer. If they do not find a job in time, they are deported back to their country of origin. They do not have the benefits compared to a citizen that was born in that country. Something as arbitrary as birthplace should not dictate human rights, freedom, and essential needs. As such, some migrants even want to return home.

We believe that the elements contributing to these issues need to change.

Finally, the third reason is that migrants present diversity and multicultural benefits. We, as Canadians, should not be afraid of change. We should embrace modification of life and focus on balance and peace with different cultures, religion, morals, and values to unite.

Our five key words for our visual essay are: xenophobia, government relations, cultural diversity, equality, and support. These words guide the subjects and issues we will discuss in our essay in relation to migrant justice.

"they’re bringing drugs. they’re bringing crime. They’re rapists...”

“The beauty of me is that I’m very rich.”

we just don’t have ENOUGH to share.

I’m not racist, but...

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conclusion

Canada is an extremely multicultural country, and has been since the late b th ri "tto grow and cities and rural communities 1800’s. In order for Canada h e n cr y’ gin ey g ’r i r to build industries like agriculture, mining, and oil, immigration was ra me e b d e . r ru pi T st h ing gs encouraged and the Canadian was actively seeking out i . s. eygovernment .. ’r ng “T ” e immigrants to aid in the building of Canada. Immigrants came from h of e b me ea ve th settling all over Europe, China and some from the USA after there for u ry at is ty ri Inot ’m a time. The growth in population and industry would have been ch .” possible with out the intense immigration that begun to occur before the beginning of the 20th century. The Canadian Pacific railway was an important industrial advent made possible by over 15,000 Chinese immigrants, most of whom had left china due to floods, earthquakes, plagues, typhoons, droughts, and civil wars during the 1800’s, not wholly unfamiliar circumstances to many immigrants from all over the world. Canada was seen by many as a country of opportunity and remains that way today. Many black communities from the US came to Canada to escape persecution, as did other religious groups like Mormons and Mennonites. we ha ju v s to e t E d sh NO on ar UG ’t e. H

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Throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, immigration and diversity has always been an enormous part of the Canadian identity. Despite the fact that Canada does not have one racial identity, many people of Canada continue to have an ambivalent and sometimes opposing opinion to immigration and resetting refugees, from Eastern Europeans, Chinese and even European Jews during WWII. This has occurred throughout Canada’s history and is especially visible during the current Syrian refugee crisis.

Cities like Toronto are enormous cultural hubs. We enjoy all kinds of commodities courtesy of almost every culture in the world, but in contrast, some of the Canadian public and Canadian government now do not want to accommodate refugees who are attempting to flee civil war and terror, on the seemingly misinformed opinion that it means risking the safety of Canadians. Canada has had incidences of turning people away, but it is looked back upon with shame, and the growth of the country has relied on immigration and policies of compassion and fairness.

-Vanessa H.

Several different themes are explored within these collages.

The collage on climbing a mountain towards opportunity addresses the ways globalization, as well as systemic issues like colonialism and imperialism, lead to factors that could force a migrant to leave their country of origin. These factors can include, but aren’t limited to, poverty, war, persecution, and natural disaster. In order to have a better life—not only for themselves, but for their family and children—people will move to countries like Canada for basic needs, human rights, and opportunities that they wouldn’t have in their country of origin.

This relates to the collage focused on the pros and cons that migrants address before deciding to move to a new country.

Many benefits come from immigrants coming into a prosperous country like Canada, not only for the migrants, but for the society as a whole. While migrants are able to access resources and support systems necessary to live a better life, society also benefits by becoming more culturally diverse and accepting of immigrants.

However, this relates to the collage on time being ripped apart, as there are many barriers prevent migrants from entering countries. For migrants, time is a precious resource that sometimes they don’t have because of government restrictions born out of war and nationalism, and ethnic oppression. The way that people within a country marginalize migrants lead to unfortunate situations where, at worst, migrants die before they end up migrating to a new country, unable to access the resources that could’ve saved their lives.

-Jercy D.

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conclusion (cont.)

This collage is to describe the migrants and their battle with human b th ri "t is a woman from Syria looking terrified rights. As seen here, there h e n cr y’ gin ey r g ’r and a fist, representingraithe threatens to attack her with me e opposition, e br dr . pi u T st h ing gs . words that spread in the minds majority who despise migrants. i the s. eyof .. ’r ng ” e Th However, there is another hand that captures “the opposing hand of e b t ve h me ea representing their human rights. Migrants are considered u to have no ry at is ty ri Iworking ’m rights migrating into a foreign country. They are found in jobs ch .” that are dirty, degrading, and dangerous, given very little help from officials, be sent into prison or refuge camps sometimes for no reason, and have no right to ask for lawyer. They are denied freedom what so ever. Compared to the majority, they have little help because of their race and history. This is what the chaotic hand represents. These restriction impact migrants in a devastating way. Migrants deserve the basic human rights to have a chance to live in different conditions.

This act symbolizes a helping hand o those who need it in order to sustain their freedom and independence. The helping hand represents hope, change, a chance to obtain that freedom that is guarded by the opposing forces. we ha ju v s to e t E d sh NO on ar UG ’t e. H

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This collage represents the international relation between migrants, the countries they migrate and the society that it hosts. The right hand is to represent rejection. The images surrounding it represent human figures from leaders, like Donald Trump, the historical events such as 9/11 and Paris, and the majority who protest against migration. As shown here, the majority forces repel the idea that people migrant to their country because of terrorist groups that originated from their land had done to their community. They judge those who were not even involved and isolate them. Although there is a vast majority who look upon this perspective, there is left the minority. The left hand is to symbolize a welcoming gesture. It represents those who see migrants that want to better their lives. Whether it be escaping war, poverty, or just simply improving their lives. They see that those who flee their country, despite the tragic events in the last two decades are innocent people.

-Brandon B.

Title: Trump; ringleader of right wing extremists The theme of this collage is the perpetuation of xenophobia, racism and specifically islamophobia through the media, and social/political leaders. This collage puts a focus on American pop culture imagery because such a large portion of our culture is informed by the American media. Hate crimes and antiimmagration groups or on the rise in North- America and this hated is scary and dangerous. Movies like American Sniper glorify the fight against the middle east while Donald Trump riles up group of extreme right wing fanatics. Pop culture is like a circus and it is breeding a strange and terrible crowd.

Title: The American Dream; there’s just not enough to go around… sorry The overarching message in the image is the idea of how twisted and excessive North American culture can be yet we still don’t feel there is enough to share with immigrants. I have read and heard the worst excuses from people about why they don’t feel immigration is good for our country. They often start their rants with phrases like “I’m not racist but…”, at this point you can usually tell where a conversation is headed. This collage juxtaposes the reasons people list off of why we can’t afford immigrants with the over the top excess of the American dream. When do we ever have “enough” in North America?

-Meaghan H.

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