Portuguese Immigrant Identity

[Lutiferre]

I'll cut to the chase. I was talking to a Portuguese guy, who was basically one of the leaders of this immigrant organization, which planned events for mostly Somalis, Arabs, Turks, etc. The reason I came to talk to him is just a detail so I wont elaborate on it. But my general question is, can anyone tell me if it is a regular trend for Portuguese, and maybe Spanish emigrants to identify with Arabs, Somali, Turks, etc, in other countries, and in this case, Northern Europe? Because to be honest, I was very surprised by it. I've talked to a few Spanish guys on a few trips to other countries, and they werent like this at all. But I just wanted to hear you about what trends there might be, since I am always interested in ethnic identity and its roots.

[Carnyx]

A complex of immigrant. They tend to feel a somewhat of a solidarity with other aliens, sometimes even siding with them "against".

[Martín Zalacaín]

Spaniards used to be pretty racist. Now they are getting soft.

[Menydh]

Either what Carnyx said, or a liberal mentality and a total loss of identity as in the case of an argument that I had with one Dutch from Groningen, who said that he loved Spain but he missed that there was not enough "diversity" and that more immigrants should come.

[Carnyx]

Originally Posted by Mynydd

Either what Carnyx said, or a liberal mentality and a total loss of identity as in the case of an argument that I had with one Dutch from Groningen, who said that he loved Spain but he missed that there was not enough "diversity" and that more immigrants should come.

Isn't that hate from their part somewhere?

[Menydh]

Originally Posted by Carnyx

Isn't that hate from their part somewhere?

Well, at the time I suspected that he could subconciously found that a multi-cultural Spain might make him feel less of a foreigner. The argument wasn't long. I just told him to shut up and keep his ideas for when he was back at home, and not abuse our hospitality.

But now I think that it is a simpler case. A liberal and careless mind.

Since he finished his degree, he had been working for the ceramic tile industry here, in the sales department for The Netherlands and Germany. One day he resigned and set himself on an import business of lower quality and cheaper ceramic tiles from China, to The Netherlands and Germany. While still living here.

You know..

[Der]

Originally Posted by Mynydd

Either what Carnyx said, or a liberal mentality and a total loss of identity as in the case of an argument that I had with one Dutch from Groningen, who said that he loved Spain but he missed that there was not enough "diversity" and that more immigrants should come.

You will find pro-multiculturalists in every country. I've had a history teacher for some time, which has a similar self-destructive attitude like the one of the Dutch you mention.

He once said in class: "why shouldn't a non spanish be able to vote in Spain? for all of those who believe that this privilege should be reserved only to "los ehpañoles" (spaniards), for now you will have to put up with the current system, I believe that there shouldn’t be national borders." He was referring to immigrants being allowed to vote in local elections and insinuating that this could soon be extended on to the national elections.

I could go on for ever with quotes of the same kind but I think this one all ready proves the point.

[Lutiferre]

Well, its just not something I would expect from a Portuguese, immigrant or not. My theory is that immigrants in European countries from economically deprived countries are more likely to identify with Arabs and other non-European immigrants. Which explains seeing Polish guys hanging out in a crowd of Arabs in baggy clothing. But I've never thought of Portugal as economically deprived.