My Roman Utopia Debunked!

Even for a relatively traveled individual like me, the Rome in my mind has always been one in close proximity to the ideal Atlantic Island society that Sir Thomas More described in his 1516 book, Utopia. A magnificent, glorious and nearly perfect society with all the highly desirable qualities. A nearly perfect society! Now, whether such a Roman society ever existed beyond my fantasies or not is a business I leave for the Roman Historians. For as far as my first few hours in the capital of the ancient Roman empire permits me to elude, that's a classical utopia!

This Tuesday morning marked the beginning of our Rome tours. Now if you are imagining a group of tourists in double-decka buses with open roofs, you are in my utopic world! Why would anyone do that to a group of young, energetic, and fresh-blooded college students whose knees are still as strong as the pillars of the ancient Roman forums? Moreover you don't really get to fully appreciate this land very much unless you get your feet on its soil.

Strolling down the streets this morning with my group, anyone could tell that we were a bunch of tourists - leave a lone the obvious American look I found myself blended in (I was the only international student in the midst of over 70 classmates all from the US of A). But what more can you really ask for than a great company of cool friends and of course an incredibly enthusiastic and passionate tour-guide? The glistening rays of the sun and the cool morning breezes were both a formidable combination. All was merry, at least for me, until we encountered a scene that would subconsciously define by experience in Rome!

An entire street was closed! A group of fully armored and armed giant policemen stood on standby, ready for anything, anytime! Right in front of them, behind the blockade that was clearly a no-cross zone, amassed what clearly looked to me like a devastated, angry, and determined mob of frustrated refugees/immigrants! There was a growing tension as we walked by probably because they had our audience. Their chants (seemingly in Italian) steadily escalated as more passers by added to their audience.

Refugees and immigrants are two groups of people both found in Rome. But who are refugees and who are immigrants? According to Article 1 of the 1951 Refugee Convention, as amended by the 1967 Protocol, a refuge is defined as:

"A person who owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of their country, or who, not having a nationality and being outside the country of his former habitual residence as a result of such events, is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to return to it "

On the other hand, an immigrant is; a person who comes to live in another country. This could be voluntarily or due to extenuating circumstances. Immigrants are subject to the laws of their adopted country and may only come to work or live. For example, economic migrants are those who come to a new country in search for better economic opportunities (greener pastures) such as high paying jobs.

Rome is the Italian political and administrative capital and undoubtedly one of the most significant religious, artistic, and tourist center of the world. With a bustling population of about 2.6 million people, a stroll through the boulevards of the Latium city espouses every feature of a vibrant society. Its numerous churches with captivating artistic liveliness and architectural prowess inescapably sends every visitor aback.

As a tourist - or should I rather say an observant student with an enterprising curiosity - all the wonderful tourist treats the Italian capital had to offer were worth my attention. However, what caught my attention the most was the social dynamics as observed in the streets. To have a mixed group of demonstrating refugees and migrants as your first impression of a utopic city that exists in your naive mind is to have a shocking experience from the impetus.

The demographics of the demonstrators caught my eyes. My attention was particularly drawn to the plight of my African brothers and sisters. For many of them, their status on this foreign land was as a result of phenomenons beyond their control. For some, the search for greener pastures had landed them in a concrete world with barely any pastures to begin with. My heart sunk as I contemplated on their uncertain future, on the sacrifices they had made, and the many more they were assuredly yet to make. It was simply put; a messy affair.

1,700 years ago, historians account that the mismanagement of a migrant crisis cost Rome its empire. Factoring in every bit of the puzzle I interacted with, there is either a possible mismanagement of the migrant crisis or the problem has simply run out of control. With Italy being the entry port to Europe, it is certainly clear that they have been made to bite more than their fair share of the bread - assuredly much more than they can chew.

If the European nations - especially those in the European Union do not diligently work together to craft a sustainable solution to this crisis - one that allows for a win-win for both the immigrants/refugees and the nations - what appeared to me as Rome's Migrant Migraine could soon become Europe's biggest headache.