notes from home
On civil society, sustainable and equitable development, the Philippines, and life in general.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
3:00 pm

There is a hypocrisy about the whole jobs debate, especially in Europe. The colonial powers invaded countries like India and China, pillaged them of their treasures and commodities and made sure their industries weren’t allowed to develop, so they would stay impoverished and unable to compete. Then the imperialists complained when the destitute people of the former colonies came to their shores to clean their toilets and dig their sewers; they complained when later generations came to earn high wages as doctors and engineers; and now they’re complaining when their jobs are being lost to children of the empire who are working harder than they are. My grandfather was once confronted by an elderly Englishman in a London park who asked, ‘Why are you here?’ My grandfather responded, ‘We are the creditors.’ We are here because you were there.