Portland author Cheryl Strayed helped raise $1 million for Syrian refugees this week. The author of “Wild” joined a group of other writers to create the Compassion Collective. The group’s goal was to gather a million dollars of assistance for the refugee crisis, while limiting donation amounts to no more than $25…. “Today’s refugee crisis is the worst humanitarian emergency the world has seen since World War II. Just as the Greatest Generation’s response to the holocaust defined them, so will our response define us,” the group states on its website. Strayed announced on her Facebook page Tuesday that the group hit its goal in just over 30 hours. She thanked donors and wrote, “On the darkest days of the year — light won.”
It can be easy to focus on the xenophobes and haters, those who would destroy and/or oppress those whose only “crime” is being different- having a skin color, speaking a different language, professing another religion. Our current media and cultural environment is geared to gravitate towards demagogues. It’s drawn to those who thrive in darkness and draw sustenance from rage, hatred, and exclusion.
What it doesn’t do well- or sometimes at all- is to pay attention to those endeavoring to do what they can to make our world a better, more compassionate place. In a world where demagogues and xenophobes seem to suck up every last iota of media attention, there are more than a few kind, selfless souls willing to give of themselves in order to help those in need.
What Cheryl Strayed and the Compassion Collective did this week was to show that there are Americans who don’t fear Syrian refugees, who believe that compassion and charity aren’t signs of weakness but rather prove strength of character. The $1 million dollars raised doesn’t begin to put a dent in the needs of the thousands upon thousands of Syrian refugees who’ve been forced to flee their homeland by political and religious unrest. What it DOES do is to spotlight the truth that people can make a difference, even if it’s at $25 a pop.
A million dollars may not change the world…but it could. It’s a positive step and if nothing else it demonstrates that Americans aren’t uniformly terrified of Syrian refugees. In fact, many Americans see them for what they are- people in desperate need of assistance and compassion. Yes, there are too many willing to turn their backs because of their fear, ignorance, and xenophobia…but there are many willing to lend a hand, even if it means writing a $25.00 check.
Strayed and her partners in charity should be commended for acting on their belief that their/our response to the Syrian refugee crisis will define this period in our history. We can and should be doing more, but their efforts represent a step in the right direction. It’s time the rest of America got on board and agreed to pitch in.
Remember, there but for the grace of God you claim to worship….
