Erstellt am: 18. 11. 2010 - 13:13 Uhr

Today's Webtip: Just say no

a website for the people who haven't had much to say in the Integrationsdebatte.

It's been at least 13 years since Austria discovered it's primary political debate. Integration. A nice way to say Ausländer.

I know it's actually been going on much longer, but I feel it's only right to refer to the time I have spent here as a non participatory subject of the political process. Other than some temporary diversions like jet fighters, uppity students and dog shit, it really does feel like there isn't much else that gets discussed.

The interesting thing about the discussion is that it is being held mostly by non-foreigners. The number of first or second generation immigrants in politics and the media is pretty small here, and very few have a loud enough voice to actually get much attention when the shouting match begins.

Of course, those who have found a place at the table are condemned to discussing nothing but integration. I haven't seen many "foreigners" asked about their opinions on subjects like the financial crisis, spending reform or education. A quick blick over the zaun in the media-ghettos where Integrierte are allowed to play results in a wide selection of subjects dealing with various aspects of...

The same old thing.

It's a shame. It's a shame for all of the Austrians who have had their national political discourse derailed for (at least) the last decade. It's a shame for all of the people who have been affected by laws and changes that didn't receive the amount of media attention they deserved or required. It's a shame because a lot of the integration issues are just symptoms of greater systemic failure that hurt us all.

It's a shame, and it's getting really old.

I only mention this now because a couple of people sent me a link to a site for all of the people who are sick of being objectified, marginalized and shoved into a shoebox.

www.integrationsdebattenverweigerer.de

Now wouldn't it be nice if we could just move on?