Thursday, March 7, 2013

An open letter to Hans Joensen, chairman of Tórshavn's labor union


Dear Hans Joensen,

I read your statements in the 25th of February, 2013 edition of Sosialurin, and I cannot say I agree with many of your views, but I can understand why you may feel threatened to some extent. Currently, there are fewer than one thousand foreigners on the Faeroe Islands, around two percent of the total population, and that is to say, we count for two out of every hundred people. While it is far from enough people to over-swim the Faeroe Islands as you suggested is happening currently, I can agree we are changing parts of what is normal on the Faeroe Islands, but it is part and parcel to integrating the Faeroe Islands into a global society, economy, and culture.

I want to apologize if you feel foreigners are coming here and dictating to you what you may or may not eat, what time you may get up in the morning, how to dress and what day to observe your faith, but I also think you are going above and beyond the reality of the situation. I want to apologize, and give you the point, for we are coming here and questioning some of the norms you grew up with. It is never easy to suddenly find what you used to do as a child is now a social faux-pas, but I also will point out for you, every culture that has integrated into the global society has gone through this phase. Bastions that used to keep society from self-collapse yesterday, weigh it down today, and tomorrow can bring society crashing down onto itself.

The aspirations the Faeroe Islands have for participating in world affairs comes at a cost. To call yourself a peer among nations, you must also integrate into your peers' cultures. Allow us, the two out of every hundred, to help you through this difficult task. The Faeroe Islands has much to offer the world, and we want to help guide you, Hans Joensen, but we only ask for respect and help in integrating into your society in return.

So I hope, in the future, we will be able to sit down with each other over a cup of coffee, talk about the weather as friends, and remember this period as a fond memory of cultural change. My door is always open to you Hans Joensen, to a cup of coffee and a friendly chat.

Best regards,
Peter Smedskjaer.

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