1.12.

2021 Natalia Jablonska

The Challenge of Migration

By Natalia Jablonska, 1 STA

Migration can be defined as a condition where people move from one place to another. We
distinguish between internal migration, and external migration. Internal migration involves
moving to a new home in a state, a country, or a continent. External migration involves
moving to a new home in a different state country or continent. There are various reasons
which have been advanced to explain why people migrate. Many people can migrate as a
result of their own will or due to the reason that they have been forced to migrate. However,
people who migrate voluntarily, often face challenges which affects whether they feel safe
and secure. What are those challenges, and will we ever be able to solve them?

The negative sides of migration vary from conflicts to racism. Firstly, emigrating from one
country to another may cause conflicts between the host country, and the countries emigrated
from. “The crucial element is whether the right balance is found between assimilation and
respect for difference. Economically, immigration can often give the host country a boost of
providing young wage earners and taxpayers. The challenge is that the job marked fluctuates
(…)” (Andersen et al. 2020 Citizen Page. 95)

Another disadvantage of migration is racism and prejudices. Racism is a matter that have been
going on for decades, and even though it is not as bad as it was in 1913, racism still exist
among us today. Migrants have been through a lot of hardship, and today, 108 years later,
they still get beaten and insulted. An example is “Dirty immigrants, asylum seekers, sucking
our country dry” or “They messed up our country, and now they want to mess ours up.”
(Home - Shire, Citizens page. 99) In addition to this, racism still is a problem among us, that
needs to be taken seriously.

Acknowledging that migration is an integral part of our society, it seems clear that the
challenge of migration is a widespread issue. It also means that we as humans needs to be
more understanding and respectful toward immigrants. Wisdom might help to limit the issue,
but will we ever be able to get rid of racism and conflicts for good? Sadly, the answer is
probably no.
1.12.2021 Natalia Jablonska

- Andersen et al. 2020 Citizen Page. 95) s Engelsk for Studieforbredende

utdanningsprogram Vg1. Oslo: Cappelen Damn

«I have a dream that my 4 little children will one day live in a nation
where they will not be judge by the color of their skin, but by the
content of their character.

Throughout history one of the primary ways that people express their identity is
through music. Many components of my identity are important to me, however I have
chosen three songs to represent my class background, my sexual orientation, and my
nationality. These three facets of my identity are perhaps the most important in
defining my sense of self. I feel that the song “In Color” by Jamey Johnson best
represents my class identity as someone whose family comes from humble
beginnings, yet has worked its way to prosperity. The song centers around the story of
a grandson looking through his grandfather’s photo collection. The photos depict
times of hardship associated with the harsh economic conditions endured by the
lower class in early 20th century America. Lyrics attest that “Times were tough back in
'35… A cotton farm, in a great depression… If it looks like we were scared to death,
like a couple of kids just trying to save each other, you should've seen it in color,”
reflecting that a rise from humble beginnings is possible despite difficult obstacles.
My family does not come from a long line of wealth. Just two generations ago all four
of my grandparents were of poor farming families. They had little education and were
forced to make a living off their hard labor. When they reached adulthood, they made
the decision to move to California for better opportunity; after years of diligence they
were able to lift themselves into the middle class, providing a better life
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