twentyfoursevenvalencia 11
IMMIGRANT PIECE
Can Immigrants Integrate in Valencia? Last summer I found myself in Phuket, Thailand, drinking the Japanese beer Sapporo, in an Irish bar complete with wood panelling and framed rugby jerseys, listening to a Filipino rock band belt out ‘American Woman’, a song originally sung by Canadian band The Guess Who. The times, they are a-changing… Over the last fifty years global migration has increased significantly. In 1965 there were approximately 75 million migrants worldwide and by 2002 that number had grown to 175 million. Over the last ten years the International Organization for Migration estimates that the total number of migrants has risen from 150 million in 2000 to 214 million persons. In other words, one out of every 33 persons in the world today is a migrant. Cue Spain’s political crossroad. Fifty years ago, only a small number of countries including Canada, the United States, and Australia, were considered countries of destination. Today, almost every country receives some type of immigrant. In some countries this has been seen as appropriate and even desirable, while in others it is the subject of much debate. Spanish immigration policies have opened up significantly in the last ten years, with surprisingly little debate compared to the political firestorm raging over immigration in other EU countries – yet not without anti-immigrant backlash.
Immigration is a relatively new phenomenon in Spain as emigration exceeded immigration during the 20th century thanks to a harsh economy. Between 1850 and 1950, 3.5 million Spanish people left for the Americas, and from 1950 onwards Spain’s workforce drifted to more lucrative areas in northern Europe. Spain’s dictatorship likely did nothing to increase its appeal – during this period Spain’s immigration levels were non-existent. However, Spain joined the EU in 1986 and the economic situation improved, so Spain went from being an emigration country to an immigration country by the mid-’90s. In a surprising development, 2004 saw Spain receive the largest number of immigrants in all of the EU. Currently 15.13% of Valencia residents are immigrants. Almost half of these (44.82%) come from South America (primarily Ecuador, Colombia, and Bolivia), and the second largest group (at 25.89%) hails from the EU (primarily Romania, Bulgaria and the Ukraine). The third largest group (12.73%) is made up of African immigrants (primarily Moroccans). So, how difficult is it for immigrants to integrate in Valencia? Language, culture, history and policy all play a part in determining the immigration integration experience. It is often easier for western Europeans and North Americans who emigrate as, rather than being perceived as beneficiaries, they are generally considered contributors – a perception charged with racist connotations. In Valencia the majority of immigrants come from many different developing regions. However, the diversity among Valencia immigrants is somewhat deceptive, as despite coming from a number of countries, almost half of new immigrants speak the local language prior to arriving. Immigration experts agree that language is the single most important factor with regards to successfully integrating in a new culture, data that would suggest that integrating in Valencia is simplified for many immigrants. Another notable trend is that almost 70% of immigrants to Valencia are not visible ethnic minorities, signifying that they do not immediately
distinguish themselves from Valencianos – another integration advantage. Yet in Valencia it is not uncommon to hear about “Chinos” that are taking over the economy running local variety shops, an accusation likely rooted in anti-immigrant sentiment. Likewise, it is not uncommon for minority groups to become scapegoats in a difficult economic situation. The Spanish are reputed to be warm, welcoming people, and more often than not this reputation is well deserved. In many countries, anti-immigrant sentiment is indicative of a lack of work on the part of all levels of government to develop integration strategies that promote diversity, acceptance and inclusiveness. History demonstrates that integration is not an organic manifestation; rather that it takes deliberate and thoughtful planning. The challenges of integrating into Spanish culture can perhaps be credited to a strong national and relatively homogenous identity over the last 150 years. The mentality in Spain is that you cannot ‘become Spanish’ simply by obtaining citizenship. Rather, if you were born in another country, you will remain a foreigner no matter how long you live in Spain. This is a distinct contrast from countries with more established immigration histories – in Canada, the U.S. and Australia, immigrants are more able to successfully take on a local identity. There is no doubt that Valencia has its fair share of (wonderful) Irish pubs, Colombian bakeries, and Döner Kebabs shops. However, these experiences are not necessarily reflective of any true acceptance of newcomers. While there is no magic bullet to guard against the ideology that informs racially motivated discrimination, violence or simple exclusion, there are concrete strategies and approaches to integrating immigrants that can create more welcoming and inclusive communities for everyone. Integration is a long process that requires work from both newcomers and long-term residents alike, and Valencia has just begun. Mónica Navarro Email: monicafotografia@gmail.com www.flickr.com/photos/moni navarro Dara Parker Tel: 652 731 976 Article © 2011 24/7Valencia