Well, it’s a pity that this is my first post, but for me it’s a necessary topic and I think it’s good to talk about.
Well, a few weeks ago 50.3% of the Swiss voted “YES” in their referndum against mass immigration. This “Yes” means that some important contracts with the EU will be cancelled within 6 months. During this period the Swiss Bundesrat has to submit a draft law to their citizen. Plus, they have to submit their final decision to the EU and also a propsal as related to some new bilateral agreements. And those contracts also include the free movement of people. At the bottom line it means that it’s even harder to get into Switzerland and become a Swiss.
Btw: The votum had the highest polling (55,8%) during the last years.
And there the problems begin. To break these contracts with the EU could throw Switzerland back, relating to economics, and of course the universities resp. students notice it at first what it means to be an outsider of the European Union. Money for research is cancelled and the Erasmus + program, too. At least for 2014/2015.
So far so… well, not so good. I want to clarify that I don’t want to judge about the Swiss system, the freedom of speech or anything else related to it. But of course it worries me a lot when suddenly the right winged parties of Austria, France or the Netherlands congrats Switzerland to its decision. In my point of view those who voted YES have lots of anxieties and are frustrated about their own life. I do think that xenophobia is just a sequel of personal fail and the fear of dealing with problems in life.
Of course it’s not right to colour everyone with the same brush, but please understand that it’s hard not to do it when you want to point out your view of things. Sometimes it’s necessary to generalise.
Right now I’m sitting in a fine, comfy flat in Switzerland. It’s where a beloved friend of mine’s living. In fact that until now I’ve never met anyone who’s shown me how much he hates my presence here it’s hard for me to say anything negative about the votum. But to be honest: Out there on the streets I’m eerie afraid of talking in my mother’s tongue, the Austrian dialect. Before the election I’ve wanted to learn Swiss-German, because I think it’s interessting and I’ve wanted to adjust myself to this nation. But I’ve never felt that uncomfortable and nervous before, when I had to talk to someone here. Just because I think they will instantly hate me resp. want me to go away, back to Austria.
I’m sad. I’m truly sad, because before all this happened, I’ve raved about this awesome, polite and overly friendly nation (okay, Zürich seemed a bit less friendly sometimes, haha). And now… I don’t know where I’m standing. It’s an open secret that Swiss people often have problems with Germans or struggling with their standard German dialect. I admit that it bothers me a bit, too. But, well, no one’s perfect and to learn Swiss-German, even though it’s very similar to my mother’s tongue-dialect, is quite hard. So it must be difficult for a German to learn it within one or two years.
Buuut that’s not the point. The point is, that I don’t know how to feel. Are there Swiss people out there who hate me, even if they don’t know me? Do they hate me, although our cultur and dialect is very similar? Do these borders really set us apart? Or is there any chance for me to get a new impression of my dear neighbour?
At last I want to explain why I’ve chosen this picture from Roderich and Vash from Hetalia. Right now Switzerland is torn apart into two pieces. There are two parties who have different point of views and to me it seems they can’t arrange themselves, so Vash Zwingli, the personification of Switzerland became sick. And even though the Austrian nation doesn’t give a great…youknowwhat, I for myself see me as Roderich who worries about my dear friend. And I really, really hope that the Swiss can handle this situation well.
Bottom note: The picture isn’t mine. Unfortunately I’ve lost the source.
