One of the more popular political debates right now is the Syrian refugee crisis. Our country is divided with some wanting to accept refugees and others who are strongly against doing so. Call me crazy, but I see nothing wrong with allowing people into our country when they have nowhere else to go.
I have heard from many people I know say we cannot let Syrians in because the Islamic State (ISIS) will disguise themselves as refugees and invade our country to attack us. Unfortunately, recent November articles from USA Today, the New York Post and TIME all say ISIS is a huge threat to the United States.
However, there is a major difference between ISIS and Syrian refugees: ISIS needs mental assistance and Syrians need real and immediate assistance.
A Nov. 16 article from CNN said the Republican party is slamming Obama on his willingness to accept refugees. Before the Paris attacks even happened, a Sept. 11 article from the New York Times reported that Obama told his administration to accept 10,000 Syrian refugees over the next year. While this is an example of the twisted Republican opinion, I would like to applaud him on his hospitable agenda.
Now, why should he be doing this? A September article from the Washington Post worded the crisis perfectly when they said, “The problem isn’t that the United States and European governments aren’t doing enough to help Syrians – they’re doing much too much to block them from coming here.” Even though Obama is firm in his stance, there are still far too many people out there who disagree with him.
The same article quoted a 2013 International Labor Survey whose results showed Syrians in Lebanon had a wide range of skills. If someone has skills, they can probably do a job. If we create more jobs in America, we can have a better economy. Notice I said create. These refugees will not and are not looking to take our jobs away from us and rearrange the system we have. These poor people simply want a life.
As far as ISIS, they are a band of crazy people. I say “crazy” because I cannot use the language I would like to. This is a group of horrific terrorists who have no real reason to do what they are doing.
They are the bully you had in high school and the way you fight them is to kill them with kindness. It may be cliche, but there are more of us than there are of them.
Syrian refugees are people who are forced to flee their country for any chance of survival. How many pictures of dead people washing ashore do we have to see before we realize what true desperation is? These people are willing to literally dive into certain death than risk their lives in their own homes.
There is no harm to be done if they come to our country. For those that disagree: get cultured. Read a book, make some friends and have a conversation. Make sure you know what you are talking about before you open your mouth.
When someone needs help, you help them. We are lucky enough to live in a country where we never really have to worry about our safety – and never on the level of Syrians.
After all, this is America. In case anyone has forgotten, our country started with immigrants. I am German and English with Iranian, Omani, Japanese and South American friends.
We all come from different backgrounds. As much as that phrase is driven into the ground, you would think the message would have gotten across by now. America is a melting pot and a refuge. Now, more than ever, is the time to live up to that image.
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