Slamming the door in the face of refugees would betray our deepest values. That's not who we are. And it's not what we're going to do.
— President Obama (@POTUS) November 18, 2015
As I listen to many on the Far Right demagoguing the “risks” posed by allowing Syrian refugees the privilege of alighting upon our hallowed shores, I’m struck by the highly selective and inconsistent outrage exercised by those who seem to consider themselves Divinely-ordained Brave Defenders of the Realm. In the effort to keep the “Christ” in Christmas, they’ll exercise their considerable stores of righteous outrage when Starbucks introduces red holiday cups that don’t contain the (evidently de riguer) phrase, “Merry Christmas.” As far as exercising Christian charity towards those fleeing oppression…well, that still needs some work. A LOT of work.
When it comes to protecting religious freedom (and rest assured, they don’t mean yours), they’ll demand their right to impose their fear- and ignorance-based moral agenda on anyone with the temerity not to fall into theological lockstep. They’ll tearfully claim, “God’s been kicked out of our public schools,” even as they ignore that schools are publicly-funded EDUCATIONAL institutions, not wholly-owned subsidiaries of Evangelical churches. They’ll demand they be allowed to pray publicly and erect religious monuments anywhere on public property (‘Cuz it’s a Christian country, don’tchaknow?)…even as they completely ignore the separation of Church and State. After all, as former President George W. Bush once said, the Constitution “is just a piece of paper.”
The question, at least in my mind, revolves around what kind of nation we want to be…or, more importantly in a time of great challenge and even greater fear and mistrust, what kind of nation we’re to become. Are we going to be true to the values that helped make America the great melting pot it is? Are we going to hew to the respect for diversity that helped Ameriaca and Americans ideals win two World Wars and the Cold War? Or are we to wrap ourselves in the perceived warmth and safety of isolationism and xenophobia, as we children of immigrants decide to exclude those desirous only of shelter and safety?
Oh, and before I forget…remember Steve Jobs? Yeah, he was the children of Syrian immigrants…just in case anyone’s forgotten how much immigrants have to offer America.
Get angry about Starbucks red cups, but when there's real middle-eastern families seeking refuge all of a sudden Christ isn't in Christmas.
— My Daughter's Army (@mydaughtersarmy) November 18, 2015
It would be easy to decide that accepting Syrian refugees is too risky, and that in order to be absolutely certain no potential terrorists are allowed entrance to the Shining City on the Hill © we must keep all Swarthy Middle-Eastern non-Christians out. It would also be easy to lose sight of the truth that America is not a Christian nation, but a secular nation with a Christian majority.
You might call yourself a Christian, but if you believe it’s too risky to allow Syrian refugees asylum, you should probably be honest enough to admit that denying Middle Easterners entry during the Christmas holiday season is a dick move and decidedly un-Christian. Claiming to profess Christian beliefs is without a doubt far easier than actually living those beliefs…because then you may find yourself required to do things that don’t mesh with your personal fears and prejudices.
If you don’t believe me, how about a few words from my mother, who seems to have pretty well nailed it:
Why are we allowing fear to be our driving force? The terrorists attack us to divide us from each other! They attack because they want us to hate and fear!
This Country has many good people. People who know that hatred and fear are not going to make us safer, they will make us weaker and more susceptible. We must work together, listen to each other, learn from each other.
We have a Congress that has responded to this attack in Paris by punishing immigrants who are trying to get their families to safety.
We have political candidates who are openly disparaging the President because he is showing compassion. Candidates who are calling for entry into this Country to be based on Religion. Candidates who are calling for all Muslims to carry identity cards, for Mosques to be closed, cafes that cater to Muslims to be closed. Does any of this sound very familiar?
First it was the Hispanic immigrants that were to be rounded up and placed in camps to be shipped across the border. Now it is the Muslims. They are the ones to be afraid of! They are the reason for all The problems, EVERYTHING is their fault!
Instead of candidates who are emphasizing the best of the Country, we have candidates and Congress telling us we have to forget our better more humane sides and live in fear and blame someone, anyone, for our troubles.
This is not who we are! We are not a people who take kindly to dictators! We generally stand up to bullies and try to protect the ones being bullied. Listen closely to the candidates, because what some of them are advocating could mean the end of this Country as we know it.
Since when is compassion the province of appeasers, losers, and Liberals? When did displaying kindness and caring for a fellow human become synonymous with being a terrorist sympathizer? When did extending a helping hand come to be equated with being soft on terrorism? Why must public policy be formulated and executed from a place of abject fear and trepidation?
We’re better than that.
If we can’t be true to our values and live by the words inscribed on the Statue of Liberty, perhaps we should consider returning her to France….
