Embarrassment

Submitted by mette (United States), Jun 14, 2005 at 17:54

This is so saddening,not to mention embarassing to me, a Dane, living in the US. But unfortunately true. Above story from "Student in Denmark" is true. I am married to an American, and recall once going home to Denmark, walking on the streets, people staring hatefully at us, because we were speaking English. I have even been told not to enter Denmark since I left it and married a foreigner. For goodness sakes!!!. THAT is exactly why i left DK: the narrowmindedness, the strength of the Janteloven, the ignorance. We talk about moving back, but more and more I realize that I could not return and actually live in DK again. And that saddens me greatly. Afterall, I was born in this little cozy fairy tale country where everyone is/was happy, friendly and welcoming, warm toward foreigners. At least it was when I grew up. What happened?

Look at the Royal family. They marry foreigners. Prince Henrik, Princess Alexandra, Princess Mary. Are they trying to set an example to the Danes? i sure hope so.

As Eddie Skoller sang: Denmark is a little land/In Denmark we do not understand. Well, I used to find that amusing. But now, it appears to be true. Danes should not minimize themselves. Just because the size of the country is little, it doesn't excuse lack of understanding, lack of willingness to accept the foreigners that live there, lack of willingness to understand the multiculture you get when opening the doors to immigration.
I work in a group of 8 people in the US. TWO of these are US citizens by birth. The rest, and me, are immigrants. And treated very well. Granted, we have integrated, but it is easy here, cause immigrants are welcomed. We are in fact subject of curiousity many times because we speak with an accent. But NEVER have I been told to return to where I came from. Not once.

Prior to living here, I lived in France, and even there, with Le Pen and his forces, did I feel welcome and part of the community.

anyway, i just wanted to express my concern and my embarrassment about this entire subject in Denmark.

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