Re: Column "Immigrants! If you hated it, leave it behind"

I read through the March 6, 2008 column by Constance Scrafield-Danby several times, deeply saddened by the attitudes it revealed.

The writer wanted to convey her belief that new immigrants should be willing to learn the language and customs of their adopted country. I have no objection to that. However, through vague generalization and stereotypes, the writer chose to portray recent immigrants to Canada as intolerant and prone to violence.

She gave no evidence for this; just vague talk of shootings and fist waving at meetings.

She holds British immigrants in high esteem and implies that newer immigrants from non European countries can't be trusted in the same way.

Words like this do little to build bridges. Instead they promote an atmosphere of suspicion and distrust in our community.

Your readers deserve better.

Barbara Moulton

Orangeville

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I want to applaud, Constance Scrafield-Danby for her views on the title. Being a European Immigrant myself, I have lived in Canada forty years.

Unfortunately, we as a country no longer have immigrants who blend in and just learn the english language. I object to the immigrants who are coming into Canada who want to change our rules and customs.

I have had those views for years and did not have the literary skills to voice my opinion.

Ellen Gruber

Via e-mail