Country Quote by Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson
![“Having said that, people here [in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania] watch the TV. And they hear critics of her policies talk about how more than a million people coming here last year from various war-torn countries and also seeking economic help are going to, like, destroy the fabric of the society.” quote by Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a81/soraya-sarhaddi-nelson-58393_country_having-said-that-people-here-in-mecklenb_545411.jpg)
“Having said that, people here [in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania] watch the TV. And they hear critics of her policies talk about how more than a million people coming here last year from various war-torn countries and also seeking economic help are going to, like, destroy the fabric of the society.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview on German regional media, 2023
Public fear of immigration is framed as a threat to social cohesion, despite humanitarian realities.
In simple terms: People fear immigrants will ruin society.
Key Takeaway
Address misconceptions with facts and empathy.
Themes
immigration
social cohesion
media narrative
humanitarianism
public perception
Mood
anxious
concerned
defensive
Type
political
social commentary
When to use this quote
- local politics
- community meetings
- media analysis
- policy making
Key Concepts
xenophobia
social identity
policy debate
Questions to Reflect On
- How does media framing shape public opinion on refugees?
- What policies can balance integration and social stability?
A Different Perspective
Fear can be amplified by sensationalist reporting, overlooking benefits of diversity.
![“Only 4 percent of the people who live here [Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania] are actually foreign-born. And even fewer of those are refugees. So there's not a whole lot of experience with refugees here.” quote by Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e32/soraya-sarhaddi-nelson-58393_born_only-4-percent-of-the-people-who-live-he_283343.jpg)
![“This is something that Alternative for Germany, which is the party that's coming up from behind and is expected to actually beat [Angela] Merkel's party today, they're exploiting that fear in people who don't really have a whole lot of experience with integration.” quote by Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/057/soraya-sarhaddi-nelson-58393_alternatives_this-is-something-that-alternative-for-g_1543448.jpg)
![“There are other concerns in this state [of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania], which is one of the prettiest. It's also one of the poorest, where people here are making less than the national average. Unemployment is higher than the national average, and a lot of the young people, especially, have…” quote by Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/51f/soraya-sarhaddi-nelson-58393_average_there-are-other-concerns-in-this-state-o_2346410.jpg)
![“Having said that, Angela Merkel's electoral district is here [ in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania].And so, if Chancellor Merkel loses here, her party, which has ruled in a coalition government for the last decade here with the Social Democrats - if they lose today, then it's really a very…” quote by Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3c0/soraya-sarhaddi-nelson-58393_angela_having-said-that-angela-merkel-s-elector_2633375.jpg)
![“That country [Carthage] was rapidly sinking into the state of barbarism from whence it had been raised by the Phoenician colonies and Roman laws; and every step of intestine discord was marked by some deplorable victory of savage man over civilized society.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70c/edward-gibbon-710_barbarism_that-country-carthage-was-rapidly-sinkin_393.jpg)
