Ruffled Feathers in the Land of the Penguins

By Sekou Daouda Bangura,USA.

Written by BJ Gallagher and Warren H. Schmidt, the article Ruffled Feathers in the Land of the Penguins tells the story of the Penguins, their experiences, and how the advent of exotic birds impacted them. Before the arrival of exotic birds, the penguins lived a quiet and peaceful life; they were all the same and everything was done to the satisfaction of everyone. But all this changed with the arrival of new and exotic birds whose presence brought in a feeling of insecurity and uncertainty for the Penguins. The Penguins were so concerned and unhinged that they decided to summon a meeting to find out ways and means of dealing with their uninvited guests.

On a literal level the article is about the Penguins and how the arrival of new birds in their kingdom created not only a cause for great concern, but the need to take decisive action to stem the tide of the new arrivals. Looking at the article from a literal standpoint, we will miss the message of the authors. We should therefore look at the article’s deeper meaning. The article is a reflection of present-day United States of America, where the population of immigrants has increased so much to generate a long and protracted debate.

The recent wave of immigrants from Latin America, Africa and Asia has been the cause for ethnic and racial tension; a clash of cultures that degenerates to violence in some instances. In some communities these new arrivals are not welcome because they take away jobs from the Americans. In other communities, they are welcomed with open arms because they fill an economic vacuum. Those menial jobs - those low-paying jobs most Americans frown upon are being filled by these immigrants, especially those coming from Latin America and Africa.

The difference in point of view of the Penguins about the arrival of new birds in their midst reflects the difference in public opinion in American society today about immigrants. There are those Americans who view the presence of some immigrants as a public menace; social parasites that should be eradicated. Some even attribute the increase in crime rate to the presence of these aliens in their communities. Others contend that these foreigners constitute a big liability to the government because of special programs funded by the government to meet the needs of these immigrants. Special education and bilingual programs in schools, health amenities and other social services are funded by the Federal Government and some State Governments to meet the needs of a fast-growing immigrant population. This does not sit well with some American tax payers who have either called for the tightening of borders or the passing of stiffer immigration laws to stem the tide of immigrants.

As a country founded by immigrants, many others have called for laws that will make it easy for immigrants to fit into the American mainstream- equal job opportunity, equity and justice for all regardless of race, background or gender. Today’s era of globalization has created a compelling case for these Americans. Technology, the age of the internet, the information age - all have contributed in bringing people of diverse background together whether they like it or not. The entire world has become one Global Village, where people trade and move freely. It is this reality that has compelled authorities in the private sector to come up with ways and means to ensure that there is a general awareness of the need to co-exist - thus the case for managing diversity in the workplace.

We can look at the VIPs (Very Important Penguins) in Ruffled Feathers in the Land of the Penguins as the leaders in the government - congressmen and senators - who are at the forefront of the debate to allow more immigrants or to prevent the coming of more immigrants; to create an easy path to permanent resident status and eventual citizenship for immigrants who form part of the over twelve million so-called illegal aliens, or instituting draconian measures aimed at halting the flow of immigrants. The divergence of opinion among the VIPs reflects the difference in point of view of politicians - Democrats and Republicans. This difference in opinion between democrats and republicans in the Congress and the Senate is a reflection of the difference in public opinion in American society today about immigrants

To fully understand this difference in opinion, let us backtrack on the last presidential election in which George Bush was voted as president for a second term. During the election campaign the candidate for the democrats John Kerry, among other things, called for an immigration policy that will make it easy for immigrants to stay permanently and legally work in the United States. The republican candidate George Bush on the other hand called for a ‘Guest-Worker program,’ and for measures that will make it difficult for immigrants who intend to stay permanently and work in the United States. Despite the differences, there is a general agreement today that something has to be done to address the new reality - the increase in the population of immigrants especially from developing countries. There is, today, a general consensus for tightening the border with Mexico to halt the flow of illegal aliens. Agreement has even been reached on erecting a fence to thwart illegal entry into the US.

Many of us from Sierra Leone and other developing countries presently in the US can identify ourselves as the new birds; the exotic birds in the Land of the Penguins, whose presence has ruffled the feathers of the Penguins. In the job place we come in contact with superiors who appreciate us for the contribution we are making toward the success of the organization. They value our effort and input. For such superiors, we are seen as an asset. But there are other superiors in the work place who resent us because of our foreign accent. For such superiors (very important penguins), we do not fit in and should not have been offered the opportunity to work in the first place. They view some of us as a threat because of our educational background which puts us at a greater competitive advantage.

Like the Penguins in Ruffled Feathers, Americans are sharply divided today about what to do with a growing immigrant population, especially the Hispanic population which has already surpassed that of the blacks. And this has serious implications: competition for jobs, housing and many other social services. Blacks in poor neighborhoods are generally not happy with this trend. Serious concerns have been raised in several communities all across the United States of America.

The issue on immigration has thus become a very important issue in American politics. It is so sentimental that it cannot be glossed over or addressed with half-hearted measures. It is, arguably, a national issue that warrants serious thinking and a realistic solution. Sadly, the voices of those opposed to the idea of accepting new arrivals are often heard the most. And these are the voices that come up with the most simplistic solution - mass deportation. They do not even bother to look at the economic implications of such a decision; how it will decrease the taxation base; how it will negatively affect the small-business owner whose success depends on cheap immigrant labor and a host of other factors. Like Patrick Penguin, the VIP of Planning in Ruffled Feathers in the Land of the Penguins, they see the solution simply as one of command and control - erect a fence on the border with Mexico and do not allow any more immigrants! The voices of reason, on the other hand, represented by President Peter Penguin, realize that there is no easy solution to the problem confronting the land of the Penguins, just as it has not been easy for senators to come to an agreement on the immigration issue. More time is needed to look at the pros and cons; more time is needed to ponder over the matter before a final decision is made. Such a decision should not only benefit the Penguins but also benefit the exotic birds that are bent on staying permanently.

Judging from the way President Peter Penguin ended the meeting, the Penguins do not seem to have come up with a final solution to their problem. This fact is amply demonstrated by the questions posed at the end:
”What is missing in our discussion?
Have we overlooked something - or someone?
Should we have invited some of the exotic birds here
to tell us their perspectives and ideas?”

President Peter Penguin ends on a very pessimistic note:
“I don’t know. I have to admit that I am really stumped.”
In a quiet tone he concluded:
“Now, if only we were human, we would know exactly what to do. Wouldn’t we?

From this conclusion, one can safely say that the Penguins were not able to provide a solution to their problem. It is my firm conviction that the best solution to their problem is to accept the reality that the new birds are now part of their land. Rather than focusing on how to command and control the new birds, they should focus on learning how to live with them peacefully. One way toward that end is to treat the exotic birds as equals, and appreciating their valuable contribution to the success of the Land of the Penguins. In a nutshell the penguins should embrace diversity. The same appeal goes out to our senators who are currently deciding the fate of millions of immigrants living in the shadows.

This great country - the United States of America - was built by immigrants. And the forefathers of this nation will definitely turn in their graves to learn that the door is being slammed on immigrants today. Is the United States of America no longer the land of opportunity; the land of liberty and freedom; the melting pot, the gorgeous mosaic of cultures? There is no denying that the forces of technology and the internet have widened the global market and created the need for a large pool of skilled workers. This explains why there are so many Asians today in the United States. In order to maintain its competitive edge in the global market, the United States must continue to embrace diversity. This is what makes it the greatest country in the world.

Photo: US President George Walker Bush.