Frans Sammut, Luqa
Revealing survey by Misco
A report from Brussels (November 10) confirms, if there ever was any doubt, that the Maltese in general are bigots and, yes, racists, whether they want to admit it or not. A survey conducted by Misco in May, published by the European Commission, shows that many Maltese (73 per cent) would not accept a leader of a different ethnic origin, which means simply that a black Maltese citizen would be most unwelcome as a Prime Minister. This is an insult to me both as a human being and a Maltese (apart from the fact that we profess to be Christians).
And there is more! The results show that 45 per cent would be very uncomfortable if the person were gay or lesbian! And although they would be fine having a woman as Prime Minister, 78 per cent would feel uncomfortable. And, oh yes, I almost forgot, whoever is elected must be a Roman Catholic (69 per cent). That's a tall order, to put it mildly.
No wonder the survey's results show that discrimination in Malta, with regard to ethnic origin and sexual orientation, is widespread.
To add injury to insult, at no time was there any mention of (and this is paramount) whether the PM in waiting must be, for example, well versed and educated to mark him as an eligible candidate, and whether he's got what it takes to make him a Prime Minister, regardless of his colour, religion, gender or sexual orientation. As usual, what happened here was a clear indication of what goes on in many a Maltese (simple) mind when confronted with these issues of race, sexual orientation and religion. I, as a Maltese national, pity those surveyed (for their narrow mindedness) and declare openly and totally, without reserve, that I disapprove and abhor their opinions, ideals and beliefs, although nevertheless I do respect them, with great reserve, of course.
Right now I feel ashamed to be Maltese. And by that I mean a real Maltese and a real Christian. Because at the end of the day being Christian means nothing in this context. What it shows is that, as I said earlier, most of us are a lot of bigots, nothing more, nothing less.
One final thing. This letter is not meant to insult anyone. As a Maltese I feel deeply hurt by the Misco survey and what I'm trying to do is convey a message to those who can't seem to see logic to try and understand and see things in perspective and for what they truly are.
Please, leave colour, race, gender, sexual orientation and religion out of the equation, otherwise there is the grave chance of us moving backwards instead of forward in this 21st century.
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j n ebejer
Nov 19th 2009, 08:55
@Mario Mifsud
Since you live in the UK you can enlighten us bigot Maltese on how you accept over there as your head of state a person who claims he has a God given right to reign over all of you just because he is the son of his mother. Furthermore you can explain to us stupid lot how such a democratic country as the UK has in it's constitution a law which prohibits a Catholic from becoming a head of state.
Then show us how you manage to accept that and then be able by coming over here a couple of times a year be able to assess all of us the way you did.
M Bagley
Nov 18th 2009, 20:53
Frans, we are light years away from electing a woman as PM, let alone the race and sexual orientation issue. look at the current cabinet - how many women do we have there?
The glass ceiling is alive and kicking in the 21st century.
c. camilleri
Nov 18th 2009, 17:07
Frans are you a real Maltese and a real Christian?
clare spiteri
Nov 18th 2009, 16:36
Who care what those overpaid, nonentities in Brussels think of me. No one will ever change the way I think.Surveys are rubbish anyway. Lies and a waste of money.... our money ,which goes to paying the huge salaries of who ever conducted the survey.
lgalea
Nov 18th 2009, 16:19
E.Muscat, J Farrugia, Adrian Borg,
Totally agree with you. We don't need nor want multiculturalism which the eu is trying to impose upon us. When the really big problems start they will not be here to help out but sitting pretty in their offices enjoying their enormous salaries paid through our taxes. The problems have already started but no doubt shall increase until a breaking point is reached and then the promoters of multiculturalism and the immigrants whether legal or illegal shall have to face the disastrous results and effects.
A. Farrugia
Nov 18th 2009, 14:33
@Adrian Borg
"...or someone who wants to remove christian values from us!"
People can take your house, your clothes, and your life, but no one can take your values away from you. Whilst I tolerate everyone's opinion, I think sometimes some comments just say don't hold water, at least on a logical level. Just how can someone that doesn't fit in with your preferences take your values away from you? What about all those that vote a party and got the other one in government, are these people losing their values too, since clearly it's not the party they wanted that is in government?
I have no problems saying that being Maltese and Catholic does not necessarily imply that that person would be a better leader than say a man from a foreign country, or a lesbian/gay person who is not Catholic. Everyone can contribute to improve our country, and people should be judged on their qualities, not their skin colour, sexual orientation or faith.
Emanuel Cilia Debono
Nov 18th 2009, 13:56
It is too facile to conclude from the type of survey carried out that racial discrimination is necessarily implied.
The result can only indicate Maltese people's preferences in a general way . One rarely meets with an individual person who fits all situations of leadership. People's unfavourable preferences for a particular candidate may abruptly change, if that candidate exhibits special aptitudes; or if the situation unmistakably calls for the candidate's services. In a real situation, one tends to focus on proven capabilities, rather than on the accidental features which the survey focuses upon ,
In the USA where racial prejudices tended to be high; the people overwhelmingly voted for President Obama, because they thought that he was the most suitable candidate for the Presidency . To his great credit, President Obama fully met the expectations of the American people. His knowledge of U.S. history and his respect for his peoples' cultural values is second to none.
What is most important for any candidate for the office of Prime Minister in Malta, whatever one's racial origin , sex , sexual orientation or religious belief is that the candidate understands the values of Maltese society and respects its culture.
Mario Miffsud
Nov 18th 2009, 13:00
I have to say some of Mr. Sammut's points resonanted well with me. I am Maltese and practicing Christian living in the UK. I manage to get back to Malta 2-3 times a year and in the last few years I have witnessed and felt higher levels of intolerance and racism in Malta than I was accustomed to. This has coincided with Malta's entry in the EU and rise in illegal immigration and my conclusion is that this new context has exposed our true colours a as a nation. Yes we are bigots and racists, we are condesecndingly tolerant as long as we feel that our values and principles are superior ...which in my book is neither Chrsitian and nor a true expression of our democratic ideals ....as for who I want to be Prime Minister ....i just want the best person for the job irrespective of gender, colour or creed ........
Adrian Borg
Nov 18th 2009, 12:41
@ Mr Frans Sammut
So what if I have preferences? I want a leader who understands us Maltese as he is one of us, not someone whose parents are from the other part of the world or someone who wants to remove christian values from us!
J Farrugia
Nov 18th 2009, 12:17
Mr Sammut Do not try to shame us Maltese citizens that we are like you. Far from it and our actions prove it. So once more if you want to continue being a bigot its your own man made problem. But WE CERTAINLY ARE NOT what you are calling us.
E.Muscat
Nov 18th 2009, 12:15
@Mr.Sammut :in arab countries they don't hold surveys on racial or religious attitudes:because it will mean a 99 per cent against all the others so they know the result before hand and they are proud to be so different from the others.We are at 65 per cent and risk losing out because people like you (the minority) are ashamed of the majority attitudes.Unfortunately that is the price we have to pay for our freedom but you should also tell us how you think we should protect this freedom!
j n ebejer
Nov 18th 2009, 10:33
Having an opinion, negative or positive, on a politician, who practicies a religion, is not discrimination, because if he truly practices his religion this should reflect in his judgement as politician as much as in his private life.
On the contrary we would like to know what principles our politicians, have so that we vote for them according to the principles they have as individuals and want to endorse as politicians.
So if , for example, there were a religion which promotes corruption as a positive thing, and one of our politicians were to follow that religion, I do not think that if we had to consider his religious beliefs , when opting to vote for him, would be discriminatory or bigotry. We be somewhat wise. So I would go slow on decyfering these surveys and label societies outright.