On Hypocrisy and Refugees

This is a rant about hypocrisy and refugees. And the fact that Trump cannot divide us if we refuse to let him.

Proceed if you want to. I wrote it for me.

To those who say liberals are hypocrites because we are defending Muslims and refugees, but we won't embrace Trump supporter perspectives, I can see your point.

If you've been told that all Muslims are dangerous terrorists, and while we are at it, that all immigrants from South of our Border are rapists and criminals then yes, I understand your outrage. How could we liberals be falling all over ourselves to help out these people? Can't we see we are being tricked? And if we are so committed to diversity, why won't we accept you too when you tell us the truth? Why are we so defensive? And in order to see the world this way you'd have to have blind faith that a religion, skin color, gender or a nation makes a person bad by default. Maybe you do. So why don't I?

Let's start with this: Isn't fear exhausting? Attempt for a moment now to consider that what you shared is an opinion not a truth. Perhaps you've met someone in your family, your race, your religion who are not nice or kind- or rather - who are evil, who are not like you, because you are good. Aren't we supposed to separate you from them? Do you want to forever be associated with the uni-bomber? Dylann Roof? Charles Manson? After all, you are a person with a head, and a heart and dreams with no ill will towards your fellow man. Imagine now that you are you, but now you're in one of these groups being attacked. You're doing a quantum leap. And the president has issued a decree declaring you the enemy because you were born into a religion or non-white skin color. Or you're a woman. Does the discrimination make sense? So when we defend our fellow citizens and refugees and immigrants, it's because we see them as humans with heads, and hearts and dreams and bravery for daring to move their families out of harm's way with no ill will towards our fellow men. We could be them. We would love it if you could just imagine a world where this is what we see. We aren't welcoming terrorists. We are helping our fellow humans. But you are equally right that we shouldn't throw you away either because you don't think as we do. For that we do need to do better. We are all from similar places, humble cities and towns. We share the same struggles. It came out the other day that only 8 men have most of the world's wealth. We are all poor or struggling to stay in the middle class. We are all Americans, or attempting to legally become Americans, all of us, equal, unique and committed to our dreams. My success will not stamp out your success. There's no way it could. We each play a role and the pie is big enough for everyone. It doesn't shrink with more voices. How can I be sure? I've read the texts and I've met many people from different backgrounds... Islam is a religion of love. Christianity is a religion of love. Judiasm is a religion of love. Buddhism is a religion of love. Zoroastrianism is a religion of love. Hinduism is a religion of love. Baha'i is a religion of love. Rohingas love. Tibetans love. Syrians love. Iraqis love. Iranians love. Somalians love. Ukrainians love. These people have been taught that Americans love and are kind. And we are...Except today one very orange insecure bully decided that we are not. He decided that we are selfish and hateful. That we sent millions to fight and die for a freedom that no longer exists. And our hearts and their hearts were broken. Did yours break too? Or did you cheer on the shatter?

Love leads to joy and is stronger than hate. I'm not naive. I know that people are capable of good and bad. Right now, I choose listening and I promise to work with you to understand your hopes and fears.

Will you work to understand mine? If so, we can start to have a real conversation about your pain and your struggles and workers rights and what we want our future to be... Do we want to have a leisure class? Do we want artificial intelligence to replace our jobs? Are any jobs irreplaceable? Should they be? How will we build a sustainable future together? How can we improve quality of life without trampling on each other? And on and on...As you can see we have real questions to answer. I hope we can plan for it together.