I'd like to take a few minutes and express my thoughts and feelings about the current humanitarian state of our country.
On my facebook page I seeing dozens and dozens of posts supporting Muslims and refugees. I suppose Trump is the main reason for the sudden influx of posts, but it has been a major topic for weeks, months. You either have people who are freely excepting the refugees with open arms and smiles or you have people who shy away from them, pushing them aside, saying "let's help you from afar."
Who is right?
Surprisingly, there is no right action; at least not in my eyes. I admire those with unwavering, heart-felt welcomes. I think those people are full of hope and compassion. I understand those with timid, fearful reactions, understanding those people need assistance, but would rather not have next door.
We start to point fingers, call names, and openly condemn those with feel different from us. To be honest, I feel this a pattern with the current politicians both currently elected, and running their big mouths hoping to be elected...but that's another post for another time.
We allow there to be a divide, a critical separation of our own citizens. I'll be honest again, I am one of those who would very much like to help those poor, victimized people...but from afar.
Does that make me racist? Does that make me a bigot? Does that make me uncaring and cold?
No.
You see, I was 14 when the events of September 11 took place. I remember life before that day, and I see the long-lingering affects of that day on a regular basis. We are still scared. We are scared that simple tasks like going to work, going to the grocery store, eating at a restaurant, or going to the movie theater, could be life-ending.
I do get uncomfortable sometimes when a individual walks into a public place with hijab, or a turban. I don't like that my first reaction is fear, but it is. I am never rude to them, I hold open the door for them, I smile. I am polite and kind, but in the back of my mind I am wondering if there is more to them than I see. That's not their fault. They are victims too. Because of Al Qaeda, the Taliban, and ISIS our reaction is fear. The goal from those groups, after all, was this. To strike fear and incite chaos amongst innocent people. Through this they gain power and control. Through this, they win.
It's hard not to make the association between the Muslims of the world and these radical terrorist groups. The terrorists after all masquerade themselves as innocent, Muslim human beings. That's how they blend in and infiltrate our societies...that's when they make their move. That's when we all suffer. That's when they expose their true selves. Cruel, ruthless creatures, twisted and unfathomably evil. They not only mock the Muslim people, but of all humanity. Their intent so devious, so methodically planned out, their very own conscious must have been obliterated.
These individuals are what we are trying to protect ourselves from. These individuals that hide in the shadows of their own victims only to attack again. These individuals who pray on the good nature of humanity and steal good souls from the earth. These individuals we cannot identify, these individuals are counting on that.
Do not call me uncaring because I do not want to find myself huddled on the floor begging for my children's lives. Do not call me racist because the enemy is purposefully dressing themselves up as the innocent civilians of the middle east. Do not call me a bigot because my views differ from yours. Do not label me as "wrong" simply because you think you are right.
Do not turn on one another, when we do we become divided, and therefore, weak. ISIS feeds on the weak. This country only seems to come together when something horrific takes place. When lives are lost and other lives are destroyed forever. I am a reasonable, hard-working, understanding, compassionate mother, wife, daughter, and friend. Do not let the terrorists win by making me the "bad guy." My feelings are justifiable. I watch my children grow and I fear for the world they will inherit...all I want is to defend them and their future.
The battle of good and evil wages on and into depths I cannot imagine. I just want my babies to be safe, that feeling is shared among all families, no matter what religion or race they are. I don't pretend to have a solution, I just don't want to end up another victim...I don't want my children to end up another victim. I just want to keep my home safe. Surely that is something we can all agree on.
I accept there will be refugees, and I want to help those who need help the most. I just pray to God that we don't get fooled again.
"Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
"Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve."
M.LEWIS
