I was appalled to read “My Turn” article written by Judy Taggerty, published in West Hawaii Today in the Nov. 19 issue. It is not the writer’s opinion on the economic or political factors mentioned that shocked me, but rather the arguments that were presented to back it up. Should you have an opinion on the subject of refugees as strong as the writer seems to display, facts and references would have been more convincing than a list of fear mongering, angry, discriminating, and at times, untrue statements.
The recent and tragic events in France have highlighted once more the reality and danger extremism generates for any country in the world and the planet we live on. Many similar events happen daily in other parts of the world, often perpetrated by citizens against citizens of the same origin and background, and without being headlined by news media.
To point fingers and blame entire nations for the current world chaos is not productive, especially without offering viable solutions. Neither is judging religion or beliefs. All religions, at some point, have included violence, including Judaism and Christianity. As Philip Jenkins, a professor of history at Baylor University, said, “What happens in all religions as they grow and mature and expand, they go through a process of forgetting of the original violence, and I call this a process of holy amnesia,” (Interview, NPR “All Things Considered,” March 18, 2010).
Anyone can take and interpret religion out of context. You wouldn’t say all Christians are violent because of a Timothy McVeigh or the Ku Klux Klan, right?
We should remember those refugees are people, families and children, humans, rather than labeling them because of their faith or citizenship. The solutions to help these people in crisis are not simple and will be up to nations and governments to decide as our world is becoming more and more without borders and where many cultures and races are found outside of their originating countries. We can only hope respect and tolerance for each other’s background will expand as we understand how much more cosmopolitan the world has become. As for any successful process of change, it will need efforts and positive thinking from all parties involved, which includes all of us.
Judy Taggerty asks us to think about our children’s future. I would rather we educate them in compassion, tolerance, peace, knowledge and history rather than hatred, discrimination and ignorance. If they decide they want to really make a difference and step up as a leader in these difficult times, an education in politics, economy and global understanding of cultures and traditions would be recommended, so as to not become just another angry Internet warrior.
I. De Groote is a resident of Waikoloa.
My Turn opinions are the opinion of the writer and not of West Hawaii Today.