Foreign
Write a new post in response to today’s one-word prompt
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Interesting etymology on this one. Without going into a lot of detail, it’s origins come from a couple of root words that mean outside the door.
Simply put, anything that does not innately belong in its present surroundings. Like a sliver under your fingernail, it’s a foreign object. If it is not removed, it will cause infection and possibly serious illness. It just doesn’t belong there.
That is not to say that anything foreign must be removed. Sometimes, foreign is very good. For instance, lady bugs are not native to this continent. They were brought in from eastern Asia to control other plant-eating insects, such as aphids. They do a great job, beginning to feed from the moment they are hatched.
There are many foreign foods for which I am quite grateful. I’ve learned to have a yen for foods from India, Thailand, China, Japan–and of course from European countries as well. I’ve noticed that our American food markets have expanded their varieties of cheese and other products in the last 20 years or so, giving us access to some delightful choices.
There is a foreign bug that we’re all concerned about, though–
This pretty but nasty little critter is killing trees, and we don’t seem to have figured out a way to get rid of it yet.
What about “foreign” people? Well, America wouldn’t be America without them, after all. We were all foreigners at some point, including the so-called Native Americans who got here before white Europeans did. The truth is that all people have migrated down through the centuries. Those who have managed to stay in their chosen places the longest, not being conquered or run out by advancing foreigners, are considered native to that place. And, of course, no one wants to be displaced, so laws are made to control the influx of foreigners. Reasonable laws require that they take steps to become citizens; that they contribute to the economy and do not become a burden or a threat. Assimilation, rather than establishing their old villages and cities into their new country, has been accepted and expected, and is reasonable. Demands that their new country not only accept them, but change their own laws to accommodate them, are not reasonable.
Well, I know not everyone will agree with that last paragraph, and that is one of the blessings of being in America. We can disagree without fear of being thrown in jail, tortured, killed. If we want to keep that freedom, we need to be vigilant. And smart.
Just Writing! 